Gig review: The View, Glasgow

The View’s lead singer Kyle Falconer has described their fourth album, Cheeky For A Reason, as “Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours done by The Clash”. And at a stretch, he’s right. Certainly when performed live The Clock, really recalls the translatlantic rockers in the chorus as it soars and drops, like Stevie Nicks et al in their pomp.

And for Joe Strummer’s outfit, you only have to hear the older, more established tunes with which the Dundonians choose to open their set.

In front of a lively, boisterous crowd, they took no chances with a strident guitar brace of Grace, Falconer’s nasally melodic vocal fighting to be heard over the crunching chords and tub-thumping drums, and Wasted Little DJs, with its rampaging finish.

This however, was just the raucous intro and while Sour Little Sweetie is an early composition, it’s a newer track and had the catchy, more anthemic sound that the band are becoming more consistent at delivering.

Having built up a head of steam, the stompalong Underneath The Lights brought the first dedicated fan singalong of “The View are on fire!”, a refrain repeated on and off throughout the night.

Retaining little more than three chords, scampish ska-rock inclinations and their distinctively Scottish vocals, bassist Kieran Webster took the lead on the punkish Skag Trendy, the humorous Grans For Tea and The Libertines-esque Hole In The Bed.

Still, Falconer is the band’s face for a reason and the crowd went berserk for old favourites like Same Jeans and Superstar Tradesman.