DEAD PONY SET THE BAR HIGHER AS THEY TOOK ON THEIR BIGGEST SOLD-OUT HOMETOWN SHOW AT GLASGOW’S SAINT LUKE’S

★★★★★ (5/5)

DEAD PONY PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S SAINT LUKE’S
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

The Friday was another scorcher in a heatwave week for the usually dreich Scotland. Pores were oozing as outdoor seating swelled with thirsty patrons looking to avoid the four walled experience. In Glasgow, the impulse to go taps aff and drink something ice cold was venomous. Dead Pony’s sold out show in the converted church venue Saint Luke’s was already a sauna as they opened the doors to a hotbox that was just about to get a whole lot heavier.

The night buzzed with pride as the three acts played their home city. First to the lectern was Pink Limit. A decent crowd had made the trip early enough to see the group and they seemed to bop away happily enough. It’s clear all members are talented musicians that can put together a slick, heavy rock number that will prick up an ear, just listen to ‘Swim’ as example. Their tracks had catchiness and they played with pompous, rock star ease, however, there was a slight sense of the group’s sound being undercooked. Points in the set slightly dipped into boring, with something being needed to elevate it. Unfortunately for Pink Limit, their lacklustre sense only grew with the exuberant performances of the next acts.

Next on was modern punks Soapbox and they hit like an atom bomb. Hard, angry and bloodthirsty; the group dominated the crowd with grit and humour weaved through their charging rhythms. Despite their rawness, they kept an upbeat thread running through their heavy set like an optimistic drunk. Grinding every second, the group made the most of their slot with every song sounding both unique and cohesive. Frontman Tommy is a relentless dynamo, who held the crowd captive as the flung himself about the stage charging bull. Their slice-of-life tracks like ‘Meter Made,’ ‘Value Added Glasgow,’ and the limerick based ‘Private Public Transport’ riled up the crowd like frenzied brawl. The quality of this high energy support was incredible and one would be forgiven for wondering whether Dead Pony would be able to follow it.

Enjoyment of the night would only continue to soar as Dead Pony took to the stage to the sound of warning alarms leading into ‘Bullet Train.’ Singer Anna Shields exudes the air of a seasoned front person. She hops, playfully throughout her tracks, giving something a little different for each number. Shields delivers solid vocals as she skips and stomps. The group’s exquisite ‘Maneater’ cover see’s the hardcore crowd get some hips moving.

Charming Blair Crichton on lead guitar and cool-cat Liam Adams on bass are totems of power, solid in their timing and technique. Despite the heat in the sweat filled room, the energy did not falter. Hearing the wonderful tracks ‘Zero’ and ‘23, Never Me’ played live so perfectly created a satisfying sensation of completeness – as if the recorded version would never quite be enough again. This was something that stood out during the entire night, that truly talent bands are masters of the live performance.

Whatever was in put in the water in backstage resulted in a night of absolute bangers delivered with guts. A night like that, as a music lover, is a reason to live and left locals fiercely proud to be Glaswegian with the display of talent.