Gig review: Biffy Clyro

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 18:03

BIFFY CLYRO **** BARROWLAND, GLASGOW

THERE'S plenty to admire about Ayrshire trio Biffy Clyro's rise to become Britain's biggest alternative rock band bar Muse. They've gone the patient, unshowy route, becoming steadily more ambitious in their songwriting without ceding their individuality. Like any band that takes the long-road to success, Biffy are reaping the benefits of hitting their peak with a wealth of quality material behind them to flesh-out a long live set – four albums to date, with a strong fifth, Only Revolutions, out next week.

The band's arena shows towards the end of their last round of touring were bombastic affairs, embellished with string sections and stage theatrics; this gig – the first of two consecutive sell-outs at the Barrowland – was by comparison a back-to-basics affair, from the same compact three-piece that toiled away at King Tut's in their early years. The two things that are a given at any good Biffy show were duly delivered: fast and furious tunes dispatched with minimal fuss, and hairy frontman Simon Neil stripping to the waist.

Material from 2007 breakthrough album Puzzle – such as the proggy-anthemic Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies – got the best reception. Older fans could be satisfied with the airing of rarities like There's No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake, which harked back to the days when the band enjoyed the simple pleasures of Nirvana and titling songs after stoner in-jokes.

Some long-termers may turn their noses up at some of Biffy's newer stuff – such as pomp epic Captain and titanic closer Mountains, which favours emotional clout over rage and experimentation. But they're both powerfully appealing, and if an American market hooked on Foo Fighters and Green Day laps them up as they should, just two good reasons to believe that this band are still some way from hitting their ceiling.