REEL BIG FISH // SWG3, GLASGOW
A SKA-TASTIC SHOW TO START THE WEEK
REEL BIG FISH PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S SWG3 - 11.11.2019
PICTURE BY: PAUL STORR PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Opening the show tonight we have ska punkers Lightyear. From Derby, their mix of funk/indie rock/hip-hop/ska certainly stands out, but at times the genre mix seems slightly overpowering. Set highlight comes in the form of "Blindside" which sees all band members donning huge drumsticks which they smash together in a ritualistic fashion, getting the crowd into gear for a fun night ahead.
Main support comes from old school punks [spunge]. Having been on the go since 1994 (and showing no signs of slowing down!), they get the now packed out room bouncing from the minute they come on stage.
It's bassist Chris Murphy's birthday today, which he celebrates by swigging away from a bottle of wine on stage. He's even then allowed 30 seconds uninterrupted on the mic by frontman Alex Copeland, which he uses to lead the crowd in a hilarious chant of "you're shit and you know you are".
Looking about the room, the age range is phenomenal and shows the reach that ska has, bringing all generations together.
Set highlights come in the classic "Jump On Demand" and closer "Kicking Pigeons", a ska punk anthem from 2006 which has stood the test of time.
The lights drop and headliners Reel Big Fish take to the stage, led by hawaiian shirt clad frontman/guitarist Aaron Barrett.
"Ska Show" from last years album "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!" opens proceedings, quickly followed by the punchy combo of "In The Pit" and their huge hit "Sell Out".
The overall set is a brilliant mix of the Reel Big Fish back catalogue, with early highlights coming in the form of "Your Guts (I Hate 'Em)" and the combination of "Everyone Else Is An Asshole" and "Another F.U. Song"
We're introduced to the brass section of the band before they launch into "Everything Sucks" which sees the whole room dancing and having the time of their lives.
Crowd interaction is minimal, but this isn't a bad thing as it allows the band plenty of time to cram in more catchy tunes for the huge audience.
The main set is closed with a cover of A-Ha's "Take Of Me", one which Reel Big Fish have been playing for years now, and receives one of the biggest cheers of the night.
Coming back onstage to chants of "ole ole ole ole", an encore of "Pissed Off" and "Beer" rounds off a superb evening.
If there's one thing to take away from tonight, it's that Reel Big Fish are quite simply the best ska band in existence, and the happiest live experience you could ever ask for!