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The Low Anthem

29/01/2010

Exotic instrumentation @ Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
The Low Anthem
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
4/5

The Old Fruitmarket may only be halfway filled, but it and does not take away from the light and fresh atmosphere created by The Low Anthem. As they arrive on stage, all four are dressed in white, glowing against the dark Celtic Connections backdrop. They pick up their first instruments and get straight to it.

The beginning is slow-paced and the audience are almost fooled into thinking this will be some kind of traditional folk gig with an Americana twist, but they are in for a pleasant surprise. Three songs in, they move to a completely different genre, from the bittersweet ramblings of ‘Ticket Takers’, to something raw and stripped down, which could be compared to the deep bluesy bass lines of the Black Keys.

Front man Ben Knox Miller announces that this is the largest crowd they’ve ever seen, and only their second gig since finishing recording. “I must warn you, last night’s show was shit!” he says. They have been recording their third album, a follow up to Oh my god, it’s Charlie Darwin, which was re-released last year by label Nonesuch.

This is the beginning of a lengthy tour, they have a packed schedule of dozens of gigs from now until September, including up-and-comers’ favourite, South by Southwest festival.

Multi-instrumentalist Jocie Adams moves gracefully around the stage from drum kit to lead guitar to more unusual music-makers such as the crotales, giving a sound like a small tuned bell, a reflection of Adams’ bright yet gentle voice.

Hailing from Rhode Island, the band is completed by Jeff Prystowsky, and new addition Matt Davidson. It is difficult to pin-point each person’s main instrument, as they play over 30 between them and are constantly swapping between tracks. These four individuals clearly have a tightly organised structure, and at times look a bit like a quirky school orchestra.

The highlight of the evening comes in the form of the band’s biggest hit to date, ‘Charlie Darwin’. The audience become eerily quiet and still, while Miller and Adams provide hauntingly perfect vocals.

They are very well received by their crowd; they seem to be a success story waiting to happen. Influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, they have fashioned together a sound that is timeless, but also intriguingly fresh and unique.

Christine Lavelle
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