Glasvegas
Cardiff Solus
4th May, 2011

Despite the resounding critical success of Glasvegas’ debut, and producing one of the year’s more intelligent rock albums, the turn-out in Wales’ capital was disappointing. A less than half-full university venue was not lost on frontman James Allan, who responded to critics who feel the band have lost their working class roots. Undoubtedly, the group have matured, with Allan’s distinctively Scottish vocals to the fore, over surprisingly tight musicianship. Gone is the wall of guitar sound and distortion which made Allan barely audible and the band virtually unlistenable at their early shows. Aside from the epic singles, the newer songs may have received a muted response, but the debut album has never sounded better. Fans shouted out every lyric to favourites including Geraldine and Go Square Go, at odds with the emotional frailty at their heart.