MOOSE BLOOD AT THE GARAGE, 04.10.16

I really want to love this show.

It has all the major elements – at least two bands on the line-up I fancy watching, an energetic crowd, security that are on the ball enough to prevent me being kicked in the head by every passing crowd-surfer – and yet.

Versus all the other new-wave emo bands I’m seeing this week (and there are a few), Moose Blood are playing to a home advantage. With Radio 1 recognition and a number of UK festival slots under their belt, they’re fairly well-known even outwith the ‘scene’. As such they’re granted the luxury of a proper sold out 750-cap venue in The Garage. Not my favourite gig spot in Glasgow, as followers of the old blog will know, and unfortunately my mind remains unchanged.

The band themselves aren’t to blame for this of course. The performance they put on is fiery, open and very pleasantly lit in the pink blush of their latest album. And there’s something quite satisfying about a setlist full of punchy one word titles – although that might just be me.

Bukowski is played right off the bat (which is more than a little disappointing considering I’m still in the photo pit by then – hey bands, please consider catering to my particular needs and only play filler during the first three songs) but with multiple supports to warm them up, the crowd are well-prepared. Old hits Gum and Swim Down enjoy a deafening reaction too with huge singalongs and myriad circle pits.

Herein lies part of the problem though. Despite its regular use by mid-tier punk and hard rock bands, The Garage seems to have pretty much nothing in the way of air conditioning. I know, I know, we’re in Scotland and the thought of American-style AC here is hilarious in most situations but this isn’t one of them. With a floor full of people pressed against your back, the barrier becomes a dangerous sweatbox.

And no matter how hard they work the security can’t weed out even most of the assholes. There’s a fairly high quantity of young drunken men throwing their body weight into every unassuming teenager within reach - one even rips off his beer soaked shirt and begins to whip it into their faces. Pits are opened without any regard for the makeup of the crowd, and maybe I’m just being old school about this, but it does matter.

I’m in no way disparaging a bit of moshing or crowd surfing. If that’s the way you enjoy the show then more power to you, but here’s the thing: when you’re roughly twice the size of the people around you, and those people genuinely aren’t interested in being involved, it’s time to take a step back. A few seconds spared for shuffling those folks out of harm’s way is no skin off your nose, and it’s the only way to avoid injury. Because let me tell you, I’m 5’3”; not very strong; an avid seeker of a good pit. And I’ve racked up a good few scars from being knocked to the ground even in a state where I’m more than prepared to bounce back the behemoth charging at me.

The issues are myriad, and widespread throughout the scene, but Moose Blood bring it home to a positive close nonetheless. With an acoustic version of Spring to catch our breath and a humble thanks for the sellout, they charge into new album track Knuckles for one last rapturous singalong. A good show but, hampered by arseholes, not a great one. 

SETLIST

Pastel                                        Gum
Honey                                        Sulk
Bukowski                                   I Hope You’re Miserable
Glow                                          Chin Up
Boston                                       Shimmer
Pups                                          Swim Down
Cherry                                        Spring
I Hope You’re Missing Me          Knuckles
Sway