Gig review: The Pastels / Tenniscoats

Published on Thursday 3 September 2009 18:56

THE PASTELS / TENNISCOATS *** STEREO, GLASGOW

ALTHOUGH their output is far from prolific, The Pastels remain a cult influence in their native Glasgow and beyond. You could hear some of their shambling navety in the sound of support band Veronica Falls, comprising former members of The Royal We, and they have clearly found kindred spirits in Tokyo-based pop duo Tenniscoats, with whom they have collaborated on a new album called Two Sunsets, recorded during Tenniscoats' various visits to Scotland over the past few years.

Together, the two groups make a winsome sound which is more Glaswegian than Japanese, with wispy vocals and lovely chiming melodic guitar. Saya and Takashi Ueno were outnumbered by the Scots onstage (who included Teenage Fanclub's Gerry Love in their number), although there was subtle oriental flavour to Saya's lead vocals on the title track. Tenniscoats' brief solo spot was taken up with a twee indie nursery rhyme, backed by audience handclaps.

When boosted by a mournful mini-orchestra of flute, clarinet and trumpet, the results were far more beguiling. There were hesitant and amateurish moments, as there always seem to be where The Pastels are concerned, but the most atmospheric numbers would not be out of place on the soundtrack to a Bill Forsyth film. Even though the musicians involved were in their 30s and 40s, the songs captured a certain youthful insouciance.

However, it was difficult to maintain a blissful, carefree state of mind in a stifling venue and audience members wilted over the course of a set which became a little monotonous.

Their cover of The Jesus & Mary Chain's About You was casually dropped in around the mid-way point and was never bettered for sweet tunefulness, but there was a late flourish in the shape of Baby Honey, a Velvet Underground-indebted drone rock favourite from The Pastels' archive which provided a welcome change of pace and dynamic and, unlike the airy wistfulness of Two Sunsets, sounded like it was written to be performed in a dark, sweaty basement.