My Bloody Valentine @ Barrowlands, 2-3 Jul

My Bloody Valentine ploughed through any threat of anti-climax with two mesmerising sets after 16 years away, each at unparalleled and ever-increasing volume. The presence of a who’s who of Scottish indie-rock is testament to the band’s status among the most significant of the past few decades, and during the genre-defining, swerving euphoria of songs like Soon, the power truly has to be heard to be believed. For some, the 20 minute scree of sheer and free distortion that erupts out of You Made Me Realise's mid-section represent indie cabaret at its silliest; but to more devoted listeners - clearly here en masse - this disorientating ordeal actually compliments an MBV aesthetic that is both famously vague and otherworldly. Surprisingly, Thursday’s performance doesn’t pass as smoothly as the previous night’s - monitors squeal, there's a false start, and one song collapses completely – but any suggestion of disappointment is obliterated by the unrelenting swoop and soar which draws looks of amazement and disbelief throughout the Barrowlands. [Abe Gangfield]