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MUSIC LANGUAGE FESTIVAL 2013 Celebrating Scotland’s diverse and esoteric music scene
N ow in its third year, Music Language Festival has evolved into the ultimate catch-up session for those wanting an overview of the best of Scotland’s underground music scene. A big pull this year will undoubtedly be Bill Wells’ National Jazz Trio of Scotland, gearing up for the release of a new album with an intimate evening of stirring ivory tinkling and vocal harmonies that hark back to the golden age of 60s songwriting. But no jazz. (See album review, page 68) The more raucous end of the spectrum is covered by the screwball noise rock of Vars of Litchi and hirsute astral nomads, The Cosmic Dead.
Two intriguing prospects are the unlikely twinning of acoustic troubadour Wounded Knee with Glasgow hip-hopper Big Tajj, and the avant-drone collective Asparagus Piss Raindrop. A perpetually shifting assembly of Glasgow’s burgeoning noise scene, their rare performances typically deliver a heady
concoction of theatricality, white noise ambiance and freaked-out sci-fi weirdness. Those looking for their jazz fix should seek out Alex Neilson’s Death Shanties, an explosion of free percussion, saxophone and electronic eclectica from three veteran improvisers. Think ‘drunken chess deathmatch between John Cage and John Coltrane’. Pushing the boundaries of dark electronica, fans of haunting vocals and smoky dreamscapes will find a friend in Ela Orleans’ doomed siren calls, while those who want beats can check out the manic synth worship of Golden Teacher (above) and Stefan Blomeier. For a measly 14 quid for three days of leftfield excellence, it’ll be money very wisely spent, we reckon. (Dave Bowes)
Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 6—Sun 8 Sep, see musiclanguagefestival.com for line-up info.
HITLIST THE BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ & FOLK
✽ David Byrne and St Vincent See photo preview, page 72. Royal Concert
Hall, Glasgow, Thu 29 Aug. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Doune the Rabbit Hole See preview, page 65. Duncarron Valley, Stirlingshire,
Thu 22–Sun 25 Aug. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside
Festival Some of the biggest names in house and techno mobilise for one of the most anticipated events of the summer.
Jamie xx and Nina Kraviz (pictured) join members of Underground Resistance, Slam and Optimo. See feature, page 45. Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Sat 24 Aug. (Clubs/Rock & Pop)
✽ No Mean City festival A month of Americana music. See photo preview, page
69. Various venues, Glasgow, Sat 31 Aug–Sat 28 Sep. (Rock & Pop)
✽Music Language Festival 2013 See preview, left. Read Music Language Compilation review, page 66. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 6—Sun 8 Sep. (Rock & Pop)
✽Fuck Buttons See interview, page 64. SWG3, Glasgow, Tue 10 Sep. (Rock &
Pop)
✽Mr McFall’s Chamber: Freak Out You can rely on McFall’s to put a different
slant on instrumental music performance in Scotland. For their September tour, they turn to the controversial aspects of Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, George Crumb and California’s 1960s freak scene. The Glad Cafe, Glasgow, Wed 18 Sep; Liquid Room, Edinburgh Thu 19 Sep; Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Fri 20 Sep. (Classical)
22 Aug–19 Sep 2013 THE LIST 63