Gig review: Sons and Daughters/Black Kids/Broken Records

Edinburgh Queens’ Hall, February 16, 2008

My first gig of the year. Headlined by my favourite scottish act of the last few years, supported by one of my favourite bands to emerge on the web and opened by one of the best local bands. So good in theory as to be only possible to be let down in practice?

Well, fortunately for me, it was a fantastic night out with three great bands that I cannot wait to see again. Broken Records -soon to do a session for Radio 1’s Huw Stephens -opened. this was the third time I had seen them, and was yet again blown away. I am mystified as to how they are not signed, as I spent most of January saying on here. They simply go from strength to strength and songs like ‘if the news makes you sad, don;t watch it’ just grab you more evry time you hear them. Sooner or later, they will headline this place.

Florida’s Black Kids are due to release their first physical single ‘I’m Not going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You’ in April, (it made my Festive Fifty of 2007) and having been supporting Sons & Daughters are now off on tour supporting Kate Nash. How do they measure up to the hype? Pretty damn well, actually. I had heard much of their stuff on mp3s, but live they move to a whole new level. It’s clear they’ve been listening to prime period prince and then run with the ideas they’ve had. They look cool as anything whihc helps too. Songs like ‘Listen To Your Body Tonight’ and ‘IUnderestimated My Charm Again’ are just even better live. Believe the hype, because they get even the traditionally staid edinburgh audience moving, and make me wonder how Sons & Daughters can top it.

This was the eighth time I had seen Sons and Daughters. Whilst my top performance of theirs had to be when they opened for Morrissey in Aberdeen in 2006, they still have it, and have just grown so much in confidence and stature since I saw them as third on the bill four and a half years ago. New album This Gift has seen them work with Bernard Butler and without compromising their sound or distinctiveness has helped take them to newer ground. As recent single ‘Darling’ illustrates, there is a ‘glam’ hint coming through previously only hinted at. Yet the crowd still call for old songs like Johnny Cash as well, but it’s clear that the band are moving and progressing onward. Three bands I would pay a tenner for to see on their own, never mind altogether!

Sons and Daughters – ‘Johnny Cash.’ mp3

Sons and Daughters -‘Dance Me In.’ mp3

Sons and Daughters’ MySpace is here

Black Kids’ MySpace is here

Broken Records’ Myspace is here