Electric Fields 2016: Saturday 27 August

Blue skies for the newly expanded Electric Fields' debut second day; The Skinny takes in C Duncan, TeenCanteen, Fat White Family & more

Live Review by Chris McCall | 31 Aug 2016

You can spot Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 long before you hear them; their canary yellow suits could cause unprotected eyeballs to melt and drip into your pint. They arrive on the main stage to greet a sizable early afternoon crowd, half of whom are wearing the band's condiment-inspired logo. Hailing from Glasgow, the eponymous Colonel Mustard and his gang have become local live favourites in the past 18 months. Relentlessly upbeat, they sound like a cross between Electric Six and the Singing Kettle, but even the most hardened cynic could not fail to smile at a song like International Sex Hero. 

Following such a crowd-pleasing act would intimidate lesser artists, but C Duncan cheerfully takes it in his stride. The classically trained songwriter has built a strong following since his debut album, Architect, was nominated for the 2015 Mercury prize, and today he's joined by a water-tight backing band who add some incredible vocal harmonies to tracks like Novices. Duncan's dreamy pop music is perfect for enjoying in the afternoon sun. "It's roasting up here," he notes. "I don't know how Colonel Mustard can move around so much."

The heat doesn't phase the effortlessly cool Honeyblood. Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers only have each other to rely on when playing, but they create an irresistible alt-rock force. The duo's signature song, Super Rat, still sounds achingly bittersweet, while new tracks like Love Is A Disease show they've lost none of their energy. With new album Babes Never Die slated for release in November, Honeyblood look and sound a band at the top of their game.

If there was one artist guaranteed to be left unimpressed by the sight of Drumlanrig Castle, it would be Steve Mason. "Beautiful surroundings, huh?" he observes. "If all property is theft, someone is in a whole lot of trouble." While his solo career has been characterised by expressing resolute political convictions, recent album Meet the Humans showcases a softer side to his songwriting more akin to his Beta Band days. Among the best of its songs is Alive, dedicated today to recently married keyboard player Darren. Just in case you thought he was losing his fire, Mason leads a truly rousing rendition of man-the-barricades anthem Fight Them Back – revolutions have been started by less. 

Over at Tim Peaks, the tent is packed to see TeenCanteen. The girl group, a Glasgow live favourite for a couple of years now, are on the verge of releasing their long-awaited debut album, Say It All With A Kiss. The result of a succesful crowd-funding campaign, many of those who part-paid for the recording are likely to be in attendance today. With their addictive brand of synthpop and perfect harmonies, its little wonder they inspire such devotion. A closing cover of TLC classic Waterfalls completes a short but winningly sweet set.

Fat White Family gigs can be raucous affairs on an average day and feel like outright war on others. It seems fitting, then, that the South London group have chosen the Terminator II theme tune as their intro music. Frontman Lias Saoudi menacingly swigs from a bottle of Cava before rattling through crowd favourite Is It Raining In Your Mouth?, a dubious tribute to oral sex that would appall your parents.

Suddenly, what has been a genteel festival – with attentive yet slightly passive crowds – is transformed into a mass of crowdsurfing and fists punching the air. FWF have that kind of effect. While their second LP, Songs for Our Mothers, is a more considered affair on record, it is ripped apart to thrilling effect when played live. Tracks like Whitest Boy on the Beach becomes a punch-drunk thrash performance of sublime excellence.

Not so long ago, Primal Scream were the reprobates of the UK music scene, in much the same way Fat White Family are today. But those who have have seen Bobby Gillespie and co in recent years will know they've finally accepted their status as elder statesmen of alt-rock. Screamadelica, their 1991 breakthrough LP, is revered as a pop landmark and its best known moments – such as the ubquitous Loaded – are greeted with huge roars of approval. More select cuts like Higher Than The Sun get less of a positive reaction, but then much of the crowd are likely to be on nothing stronger than beer and maybe some weed.

Gillespie was once a surly, unpredictable live presence who had little time for festival shows. But tonight he is charm personified, offering heartfelt thanks after songs and playing the crowd like the seasoned pro he is. His band are still capable of springing surprises – tonight they dust off their excellent reworking of Some Velvet Morning – but generally they are content to provide the kind of feel-good festival headline set that most punters want to hear. The Scream may be a stripped back live outfit in 2016, with only Andrew Innes left on guitar duties, but this new way of doing things seems to suit them and, most importantly, us.

http://electricfieldsfestival.com