The World Stone Skimming Championships 2013

Easdale Island,The World Stone Skimming Championships  2013

Easdale Islandis the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships.

The championships are held every year on the last Sunday in September. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones. For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.

CHVRCHES BBC Radio 1 Session and slideshow

Electro-pop trio CHVRCHES have been causing quite a buzz on the interweb recently, it seems. Formed in Glasgow only a year ago, the band added the “v” to avoid “competing with Jesus for internet hits” because, let’s face it, that’s a battle they’re never going to win.
After the release of ‘Lies’ and ‘The Mother We Share’ on YouTube, the three-piece has been hotly tipped for success. With a sickly-sweet lead vocal, Lauren Mayberry & co have been compared to the likes of Purity Ring and The XX. Coinciding with their swift rise to recognition, the band was recently invited to perform a live session with BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens. After insisting they have more to offer than the two studio recorded tracks currently on YouTube, the band present the two stunning new tracks ‘Science and Vision’ and the euphoric ‘We Sink’, with Martin Doherty temporarily adopting the frontman position on the latter (and sounding like a slightly deflated, but nonetheless lovely, Simon Neil). ‘Science and Vision’ sees Mayberry return to the mic, accompanied by a duo of hauntingly Gary Numan-esque synthesizers.
Listed by The Guardian as “one to watch”, it would not be too bold to state that CHVRCHES have a promisingly bright future ahead of them.


CHVRCHES 2013 - Images by Ross Gilmore

Franz Ferdinand on fire in Glasgow

Franz Ferdinand returned to Glasgow last night with a surprise show at Nice’N’Sleazy.

Showcasing new material with old recordings, Alex Kapranos, and the rest of band opened their short 40-minute set with a trio of new songs – 'Trees & Animals', 'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action' and 'Fresh Strawberries'.

Franz Ferdinand played.

'Trees & Animals'
'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action'
'Fresh Strawberries'
'Matinee'
'Stand On The Horizon'
'Can't Stop Feeling'
'Evil Eye'
'Ulysses'
'The Blackpool Illuminati'
'I'll Never Get Your Bullet Out Of My Head'

Franz Ferdinand 2013 - Images by Ross Gilmore

Franz Ferdinand 2013 - Images by Ross Gilmore

Savages at the Captains rest, Glasgow

All-girl four piece post punk band Savages. The hottest band around, there were probably more A&R people in the crowd than there were fans, all salivating about picking up an all girl Joy Division. They have a genuine intensity and a raw energy that I have not seen in a band for some time, I expect 2013 to massive for them. The lineup: Jehnny Beth (vocals), Ayse Hassan (bass), Fay Milton (drums) and Gemma Thompson (guitar).



Savages - Images by Ross Gilmore

Joan Baez at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Average White Band at Celtic Connections Festival

Average White Band - Images by Ross Gilmore

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy at the Old Fruitmarket

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Images by Ross Gilmore

Will Oldham, better known by his stage name Bonnie Prince Billy last played at Celtic Connections in 2007, I missed that one, so I was determined to get to this show. 

I can’t remember being at The Old Fruitmarket and ever seeing an audience so hushed with anticipation, beginning with 'Lion Lair’, the amazing Angel Olsen complemented every song with beautiful harmonies along with Emmet Kelly.

It was great to hear 'I See Darkness’ albeit a slightly more upbeat version. Unfortunately I could not stay to the end, and missed the song by Bakersfield country singer Merle Haggard, I was informed later that I had missed one of the best moments of the entire evening.

It was the highlight of the Celtic Connections so far for me, hope they get him back next year.
I will have to make do with His latest album, 'Wolfroy Goes To Town' and this classic from Viva last Blues, I have a very scratched copy of this packed away in my basement..