Hamish Hawk @ Hunter S Thompson, Dundee, 29 Jan
The Hunter S Thompson on Dundee's Perth Road marks the spot for Hamish Hawk tonight, his momentum showing no sign of slowing down any time soon
Edinburgh stalwart Hamish Hawk enjoyed a hugely successful 2021 with the release of his album Heavy Elevator, making it into the top ten Scottish album and UK vinyl charts, as well as landing the top spot in The Skinny's Scottish Albums of the Year list. Thanks to the recent easing of restrictions on live events in Scotland, Dundee can welcome performers to its stages once again and anticipation is high among tonight's sold-out crowd on Tayside as Hawk looks to take his momentum to the live stage.
First up is Magpie Blue. Hailing from Peebles and inspired by the likes of alt-J, Magpie Blue (aka Millie Hanlon-Cole) makes the pokey Hunter S stage feel like a cavern with her swirling, reverby guitar effects and super cool vocals. Closing with the track Hedge before walking off stage to the feedback of her guitar, the crowd lap up the performance more than worthy of a headline slot in itself.
Making his way up onto the stage, Hamish Hawk oozes class as a live performer. His darting stares and hand theatrics draw you in while his music does all the talking. Calls to Tiree appears early on in the set, brimming with all of the vigour and dexterity it possesses on record. Smooth transitions between songs keeps the crowd focused firmly on the atmospheric, low-lit stage. Sneak reveals of new material show immense promise for the follow-up to Heavy Elevator. Desperately, a new track revolving around an art gallery, has all the makings of a Radio 6 Music favourite with its infectiously catchy hooks.
The shifts in energy and dynamics between tracks – as well as a funny spiel on an unpleasant carbonara – work a treat on the wholly absorbed crowd. Bakerloo, Unbecoming and the emphatic The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973 provide the highlights of the set. The eerie, scratchy tension of Caterpillar seeps out flawlessly before a cover of The Jesus & Mary Chain’s Happy When It Rains rumbles with a driving bassline.
The set finishes with no encore, but it doesn’t matter. Hawk bows out of the City of Discovery having delighted the Dundee crowd – his momentum showing no sign of slowing down any time soon.