Into Live Music Review: Benefit Night for the Children of Gaza
Artists: The Rezillos/ The Countess of Fife/ Kirsten Adamson/ The Filthy Tongues/ Scorpio Leisure
Venue: Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms
Dates: 30 December 2024
In an ideal world, benefit gigs would be few and far between. But we don’t live in an ideal world.
All profits from this show were going to UNICEF’s Gaza Appeal for Children in Crisis. Very commendable but also heartbreaking when you consider the continued duplicity of successive U.K. governments with the funding of arms to Israel and their despotic leader Benjamin Netanyahu. A murderous tyrant who is overseeing the genocide of Gaza/Palestine with nary a peep from Prime Minister Starmer or Sunak before him. The fact these people who (don’t) represent us have abstained from calling for a humanitarian ceasefire on at least three occasions at the behest of the United Nations tells you everything you need to know about their lack of character and backbone and willingness to do the right thing. We are governed by complicit charlatans. The death toll in Gaza is approximately forty six thousand (the population of Perth) with children accounting for forty percent of that total, utterly appalling yet our “leaders” sit on their hands and look the other way. So when I saw this gig advertised I wanted to go for three reasons, to make a positive gesture of solidarity, contribute a little by buying tickets and to see some great live music.
Kicking off the night were the magnificent Scorpio Leisure, a band whose debut album Audio Pleasure is one of my albums of the year, of which a track will feature on my end of year Into Creative Mix Tape (coming soon). Album closer Driving opened their short set, the band immediately finding their groove, Mungo Carswell’s guitar sending waves of sonic delight while Coco Whitson (bass) and Russell Burns (drums) were as tight a rhythm section I’ve seen in a long time. On vocals, Hettie Noir was on form, Apology and the closing Candy Floss and Gin showcasing a sultry, evocative vocal that had the crowd mesmerized.
Next up were The Filthy Tongues who provided a short four song set that was assured and at times blistering hot. The sound in the Voodoo Rooms was spot on and the dual guitars of Martin Metcalfe and Alex Shedlock played off each other exquisitely. Jacob’s Ladder finished things off nicely and with all great sets, we all wanted one more but it was not to be. Indeed, all sets were generally short and with so many acts playing, that was a necessity but also focused both artist/band and crowd on immediately getting into the moment and losing yourself in the music.
Kirsten Adamson was not an artist I was immediately aware of but after her two song set I had more than a tear in my eye after a performance that was utterly overwhelming. Kirsten is the daughter of the late Stuart Adamson and she has a voice that has a wonderful range, steeped in Americana. Accompanied by Brian McFie on guitar, the track My Father’s Songs is deeply personal, reflecting on her life growing up and her relationship with her dad. Next, she sang In A Big Country, completely deconstructing the track and making it her own, raw, painful yet also warm and cathartic in its delivery. It was truly special to hear and I’m now a fan, do check her music out.
After a short break it was time for the cow-punk buzz of The Countess of Fife, led by the enigmatic Fay Fife who knows how to own and work the stage. Tracks were mainly culled from the excellent Star of the Sea album including the New Orleans rockabilly vibe of Second Fiddle, definitely one of the best tracks of the night. Pleasingly, there was also a glimpse of new music with the introduction of Where The River Meets The Sea.
Finally, The Rezillos took to the stage for a punked up set of classics including Top Of The Pops and the stabbing attack of (My Baby Does) Good Sculptures. Eugene and Fay were on it from the moment they stepped on stage until the last bars of cover River Deep, Mountain High finished off what was a great show. As the gig poster said, a jam packed night with the best of Scottish Post-Punk, Punk, Alt-Country bands – it was exactly that!
To make a donation to the UNICEF Gaza Appeal for Children in Crisis, visit the website here.
Oh, and Free Palestine!
John Welsh
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