Belle and Sebastian /Flying Matchstick Men

Belle and Sebastian /Flying Matchstick Men
G8 Alternatives @ Glasgow Arches
Flying Matchstick Men are fast becoming a revelation. Always a captivating live act purely for their leader's sheer entertainment value, they musically are improving constantly - 'tighter', to use muso terminology - though they do need to find a soundman who can cope with the test that is dual vocals so we can enjoy the full extent of interplay between Graham Peel and cohort Becky. Basically, the Matchsticks sound like an explosion in a disco factory, or possibly what you'd hear emanating from a burning Ford 1982 Cortina after it's ploughed into the front doors of The Garage after reversing, out-of- control down Sauchiehall Street.
However, with Brian Eno said to be rejoining Roxy Music, the Matchsticks are less “More Than This’, whether on acid or not, and more ‘Virginia Plain’ as heard through the ears of frontman Peel, an engaging host for the proceedings who invites us to dance “unless you’re disabled in which case I’m really sorry”. In a set full of highs, 'All Yr. Secrets', our favourite and 'If You Want' are the ones which, in a sane world, would have execs at HugeRecordCorp, Inc, drawling "THAT'S the single".
But this is an event for railing against globalisation and all its evils.
Belle and Seb’s Chris Geddes provides the link to tonight’s events, having put together the whole shebang, with the help of the G8 Alternatives people, who deliver speeches and films and generate applause from a sympathetic audience for their calls to march on Gleneagles. However, to what is for most the main attraction. Belle and Sebastian rather than do a greatest hits show opt to showcase new material, though with a few oldies thrown in, via audience requests. ‘The Wrong Girl’ is voted for via a large and elaborate banner - either its creators were tipped off in advance, or perhaps B&S fans, ready for such an eventuality, carry poster paints in those Tardis-like backpacks. Stevie asks that they hold it up so he can read it, presumably in case he forgets the words to the chorus. Sadly no such precautions are taken on 'Judy and the Dream of Horses' which shambles along like the B&S live act of old rather than the slicker machine we have come to expect. ‘Dog On Wheels’ is also hauled out by popular demand, but the bulk of the hour-long set consists of newies with muffled titles while the organisers try to prevent STV cameras sneaking out the unreleased material. One has the monicker 'Mr Richard', apparently, thoughthere's no lift from any of Sir Cliff's back catalogue, this time...though there’s, oddly, a direct ‘borrow’ from the theme from 'Red Dwarf' on one new song.
Among the sneak previews are one with a 12-bar boogie feel from what was intended for an EP (we're told) entitled 'Je Ne Sais Quo'. Indeed most of the new stuff is upbeat, continuing Dear Catastrophe Waitress' feel. Most distinctive is the punchy ‘White Collar Boy’. The band regroup for more oldies though the wait for the encore seems a little embarrassed - but it's worth the wait with a raucous ‘Sleep The Clock Around’ perhaps the high point of a set which like the evening is full of good intentions. (Stuart McHugh)