Arlo Parks @ King Tut's, Glasgow, 10 Mar

While she might not have the most comprehensive of back catalogues, there's definitely some star quality on show tonight from Arlo Parks

Live Review by Kenza Marland | 16 Mar 2020
  • Arlo Parks

Arlo Parks is so endearing tonight that she makes you want to wrap her up, pull her into a huge hug and become best pals. At a packed King Tut’s, after an impressive instrumental intro from her suitably trendy-London three-piece band, Parks bounds onto the stage wearing a navy boiler suit and a huge smile. 

Dreamy, lo-fi, indie-pop is the order of the day – and Parks kicks off with Paperbacks. Is there a tad too much vocal effect on the mic? Perhaps. Parks’ already breathy, floaty vocals sound a tad over enhanced. But, by the second track, her breakthrough release Cola, she’s got the audience enraptured with her irresistibly charming stage presence.

Her band impress with short-but-fun electric guitar solos, and are tight throughout. Parks drifts effortlessly through George before Romantic Garbage takes her sound from bedroom pop to electronic R'n'B, with majestic casual-esque minimalism and vocal pitching effects.

Parks' brief chats with the audience feel genuine, as the South Londoner mentions the loss of a friend, looking after your mates and, after Angel’s Song, reflects on this very first trip to Scotland – claiming that when she was four years old she wanted to grow up and "be Scottish". Parks reads a poem she wrote about Glasgow that morning, creating one of the more moving moments of the evening. With mention of Joesef, Buchanan Street, and sandstone buildings, the artist ends, “Glasgow ruffles my hair and everything feels like it is waiting to happen.”

Leading straight into latest single Eugene, whose video has been directed by Loyle Carner and his younger brother, the set starts to feel properly warmed up. Second Guessing and, something of a zeitgeist release, Super Sad Generation follow, the latter showing off Parks’ vocal styles. 

The evening ends with the ever-catchy Sophie. This has been lovely; music about crushes on pals, being bisexual, and being a young Londoner living through adolesence. Parks definitely lacks a more comprehensive back catalogue, and will be stronger when she’s released more music. But for a start – there is some definite star quality on show.


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