Say Sue Me @ CCA, Glasgow, 9 May

As their first UK tour in over five years reaches Glasgow, there’s a sense that little has changed in the world of Say Sue Me. The songs still exude an upbeat, joyful character that lifts the audience and creates an energy all its own. It’s refreshing to see a band at the CCA again, something of an underused venue which is actually perfect for shows this size. That said, it’s a long way from being a sell-out, a great shame given the warmth and energy Say Sue Me bring to those in the crowd. 

Labelmates Hazy Sour Cherry open the show, and the Tokyo band share a similar sound to the South Korean headliners. Tambourines and 'yeah yeah yeahs' are to the fore, their C86 vibe underscored by a delicate cover of The Pastels’ Nothing To Be Done. And if covers give a nod to the direction of travel for a band, Say Sue Me’s choice of a Yo La Tengo track gives a pretty good indication of the band’s intent – pop tunes, reverb-heavy delivery, and a wistful lyrical charm.

Vocalist Sumi Choi’s singing is at times uncannily similar to our very own Tracyanne Campbell, and the band are clearly well versed in the catalogue of Scottish indie-pop. This leaves some in the crowd scratching their heads – Say Sue Me have the tunes, the sound, the energy, yet seem to have been eclipsed over recent years by bands like Camera Obscura or Alvvays. It’s an injustice, as anyone who saw this show will attest. 

Crucially, Say Sue Me feel like a band who genuinely enjoy listening to the music they play. Not in a self-indulgent way, but there’s a real joy in watching a band who clearly love what they do. By the time they finish with Let’s Don’t Say Anything the crowd are baying for more. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for Say Sue Me to return.