There’s a lengthy list of bands, Scottish and otherwise, who have held signings in the lower level of Glasgow city centre’s only remaining HMV.
Some have even performed acoustic sets. What’s rare is a Scottish band in their home city using a full band set on release day of their newest album, but, after stunts like that surprise King Tut’s show earlier in the year, that’s just the sort you of thing you’d expect from Twin Atlantic.
Queue the ethereal instrumental from the end of GLA track Whispers and queue the bands entry. After walking out nonchalantly, just like any other gig they’ve ever put on, Sam shows his true colours.
First comes a small hello and talk of gratitude to the fans, then comes his personality, flirting with the crowd in that thick Glasgow accent with an ease and comfort that assures you they are home.
Naturally the set began with the first single to be released from GLA, Gold Elephant-Cherry Alligator. If anyone can figure out what this song is about they’re a genius, but I’m sure we can all agree that the main focus is the word “recreation” and the meaning that sits behind it for the band.
For die hard twin fans GLA brings you back to the roots of the band, a mix of what we saw on Vivarium and Free but a little more rough around the edges.
Unlike the more poppy vibes that came with Great Divide the album expresses a need to find who you are and gives you a deeper look into who the band are now and what they want to stand for. Essentially GLA is their recreation.
30 seconds into the set, while the crowd echoes the words “pull my teeth out”, Sam jumps from the stage to remove the security barriers and ushers just five fans through before security puts a stop to his expected antics.
The band rolls through four more tracks starting with You Are The Devil, the first time it had ever been played to an audience, catchy single The Chaser follows, then Ex El and finally No Sleep. Gaps between songs are filled with jokes and words of appreciation from and for the crowd.
Frontman Sam McTrusty is no stranger to getting a bit active during a gig and not many people would think of places to jump to from a stage to in HMV, but what’s a Twin gig without a little risk?
Before scaling the CD racks cutting lines between the crowd he hands his phone to a fan to video the experience, a true notion of how connected they are to the fans and the music.
Post-performance the guys line up to sign copies of the album, greeting every fan as if they’re just an old friend you’ve bumped into in the street. As ever they’re genuine, never letting the fame go to their heads and laughing with each other as they go.
GLA brought Twin Atlantic back to their roots and back to their home city, it’s only natural they would kick off their next stint of signings and shows in Glasgow.
