Fatherson

18th May 2019

O2 Academy, Glasgow

Fatherson are a three piece alt-rock (whatever that term means these days) band originally from Kilmarnock, but now based in Glasgow.

So this stop towards the end of the tour promoting their Sum of All Your Parts album represented a homecoming of sorts.  And the O2 Academy was certainly full to the gunnels to welcome the lads back home; including a selection of what 
I took to be beamingly proud mums and dads in the reserved seats in the front row of the balcony.

I didn't know much of the band's stuff (this gig was Daughter's idea) and toiled a touch at times.  Certainly in the first half of their set, there was a certain formulaic business to the tunes: all power chords and overwrought vocals.  Drummer Greg Walkinshaw attempted to interject a touch of variety by thumping away in some unusual time signatures here and there, but for much of the set I was thinking “C'mon Lads.  Mix it up a bit”.

But they had clearly, as pretty everyone does I suppose, saved their aces till last.  And when the likes of Lost Little Boys and Always came along I began to see what all the fuss what about.

It was only when we were driving home afterwards did I realise another thing.  Although the fact does not really come across on Fatherson's studio recordings, vocalist Ross Leighton when singing live doesn't half sound like he is aping Louis Abbott.

Ross Leighton

Greg Walkinshaw

Marc Strain

Fatherson - Glasgow - May 2018

O2 Academy, Glasgow