Gig review: The View, Glasgow

PERHAPS it’s just the particular flop of his hair these days, but Kyle Falconer is looking more and more like a junior Alex Harvey as time goes on.

The View. Picture: Contributed

The View

Barrowland, Glasgow

***

Although he is not a quarter of the showman that Harvey was, The View frontman combines a Loki-like mischief with a gritty soulfulness, best showcased on this outing by a solo turn at the organ, giving heartfelt ballad Tacky Tattoo just the right amount of pathos. Falconer is an underrated singer – and will only continue as such while he persists in mumbling and chewing this way through a set, making little concession to anyone who might be unfamiliar with his lyrics.

Admittedly that didn’t apply to too many people in the room at this show. The View are well loved as a lairy band of the people. They are the Caledonian Libertines – plenty tuneful on the chirrupy likes of Sunday and the ebullient Grace, but with a frustrating tendency to sloppiness.

This somewhat underpowered performance was not one of their more convincing displays. The crowd were looking for a non-stop punky frenzy but the band had other aspirations, introducing a couple of new songs to file under toilet break.

The View were not strictly on fire, despite the customary chant to the contrary, though the spontaneous singalong of closing number Superstar Tradesman which erupted as the fans filed out of the venue spoke to a certain customer satisfaction.