The air in The Tooth & Claw in Inverness was electrified as Scottish rockers PAWS took to the stage, delivering a blistering performance with support from the “wonderfully bonkers”, Lloyds House and ambient and spoken word treat from Highland poet, David Ross Linklater and Phillip Jon Taylor.
Easing us into the night was Highland poet, David Ross Linklater reading some of his pamphlets of poetry touching on every day life and growing up in Easter Ross. There was something unexpectedly beautiful about David’s readings. His poems came to life on stage within the gaps making you realise that that language is actually a dance between what is said and unsaid. David was accompanied by Phillip Jon Taylor, creating and earthy and ambient musical score.
Next on stage and hailing from Glasgow, were the alt-pop virtuosos known as Lloyd’s House who we strongly suggest are poised to become your latest musical obsession.
Exploring uncharted sonic realms, Lloyd’s House blew us away with a mesmerising musical panorama distinctly their own. With each song, they sucked us into a diverse sonic canvas, seamlessly weaving genres and pushing the boundaries with a graceful touch. As our snapper, Al “Houdi” Donnelly eloquently put it, they were “wonderfully bonkers”.
PAWS captivated the crowd with their infectious blend of punk, grunge, and indie rock.
The Scottish alt rockers tear into their set channelling Frightened Rabbit with, “Helen Back” from their 2023 self titled release. The band dig deep into this album, their first in four years, including “One Nation Under DOG” and “Uncertain”. And rightly so, as its amongst their finest work.
A majestic fuzzy wall of sound.
Highlights of the evening included fan favourites like “Catherine 1956” and “Jellyfish”.
Sound aye no bother.
All images © Al Donnelly .
