Live

Black Kids

Ross Cunningham 04/06/2008

Wednesday saw not one but two performances from “Black Kids” on the hallowed Tuts stage. If you purchased your ticket via Ticketmaster you automatically received an email allowing you to apply for free guestlist passes to an early warm-up show. So at around quarter to seven the doors opened and about a hundred or so people walked up the stairs to be treated to and extra performance just after their sound check. They rattled through “Hit The Heartbrakes”, “Hurricane Jane”, “Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)” and recent top twenty single “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”. Having a little banter with the crowd between songs, Ali joked that it was fun to fly into Glasgow and have the sun out saying how it was so nice she got a tan. The band sounded as energetic and tight as ever however there was a few moments where Reggie was furiously pointing for his vocals to be turned up. It was however totally justified as they got lost in some parts of the songs through no fault of his own. The hope was that these glitches would be fixed before they returned to play in front of a heaving venue later that night (I had a feeling that they wouldn't). The not so “secret” show was a nice little bonus to fans and was something they definitely had no obligation to do. Its always good to see bands giving something back to the people who support them whither it is through give-aways or a free gig like tonight.

For the evening show a sold out King Tuts was like a beehive, with people packed together literally buzzing with the anticipation of seeing one of the most talked about bands of 2008 in an intimate venue. “Black Kids” were returning to Glasgow for the fourth time this year and no doubt looking forward to their first proper headline show in the city. Enjoying a warm welcome they started with debut album title track “Partie Traumatic” which is usually saved for later in the set with “Hit The Heartbrakes” being their perennial opener in the past. They bashed through it at breakneck speed following with “Hit The Heartbrakes” and the dirty sounding “I Wanna Be Your Limousine”. There was very little chat with the crowd throughout with just the odd “Thank you Glasgow” finding its way out of Reggie's mouth.

You would think that a soundman would be able to sort out any problems after having a sound check and a pre gig show to get everything sorted, however tonight's man behind the desk seemed incapable of fully solving the low lead vocal. It was a shame as Reggie again gestured to the sky through a few songs with the volume of his vocal obviously playing on his mind as the band performed. To their credit they carried on regardless managing a great rendition of “I've Underestimated My Charm Again” with Reggie sounding at his Robert Smith-esque best. There was a bit of confusion to where Black Kids come from as one fan shouted out Jacksonville Tennessee (bit too much Jack Daniel's mate?) and was politely corrected by Reggie that it is in fact Jacksonville Florida. Number 12 single “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” was probably the stand out track of the evening and seemed to capture the imagination of the King Tuts faithful with a mass oscillation occurring during the shouts of “Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance”. Finishing with favourite set closer “Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)” Black Kids left the stage perhaps feeling a little bit disappointed with the less than perfect sound at an otherwise great venue. Despite the little sound gremlins the night was generally a success, Tenants, Tuts and a temperature as hot as “Black Kids” native Florida, lovely.

“Black Kids” played their full debut album in a slightly different order.

Setlist

1) Partie Traumatic
2) Hit The Heartbrakes
3) I Wanna Be Your Limousine
4) I've Underestimated My Charm Again
5) Love Me Already
6) Hurricane Jane
7) Listen To Your Body Tonight
8) I'm Making Eyes At You
9) I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
10) Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)