Fauves @ King Tut's, Glasgow, 24 Mar

Live Review by Claire Francis | 29 Mar 2017

Musical acts galore are descending on Glasgow for the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival, and local outfit Fauves get the weekend off to an auspicious start. The Glasgow-based group recently launched new single Hit Like This – an ambitiously titled, bass-led number – and Fauves’ burgeoning fanbase has turned out tonight in force.

 As ever, King Tut’s plays host to several promising support acts. Victoria's Flight and Joshua Gray tackle the early-hour warm up duties, but Horsebeach are the ones to add to your bands-to-watch list; the Manchester quartet’s third LP Beauty & Sadness is the kind of wistful album that will appease those patiently waiting for the next War On Drugs release.

After some initial sound hiccups, Horsebeach work shyly through the new album’s lovelorn ruminations and shimmering Americana jams. Frontman Ryan Kennedy shows off his talents switching between lead guitar, vocals and keys (sometimes all within the one song) and the band finish their short set with a rosy take on their 2015-era hidden gem, It’s Alright.

Our headliners magnify the positive vibes with a funky, frisky display of jazzed-up indie-pop. On stage Fauves are the wild beasts their name suggests; a jumble of colourful shirts, unruly haircuts and bouncy melodies. Ryan Caldwell’s vocals venture from whimsical high warble to a deep rock 'n' roll growl, and the band colour in the lines with heavy-duty bass, disco beats, along with some handclaps contributed by the enthusiastic crowd. There are plenty of big names in town this week, but tonight is about celebrating breaking talent closer to home.

https://www.facebook.com/Fauvesband/