Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Seb Lowe, The Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh. Thursday 17th October, 2024.

Occasionally, a random flick through the new releases on Amazon Music will turn up a gem, leading to a curious search for nearby gigs. This is what happened with Seb Lowe, whose EP "Make Me Your National Anthem," released on October 4th, 2024, led me to buy tickets to this show at the Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh.

The journey to the venue became an ordeal. Leaving during rush hour, my sat nav kept recalculating the route to avoid traffic, taking us eventually through Barrhead onto the M77 at Darnley. In Edinburgh, it attempted to take me down a blocked-off side road, so so much for Ford's subscription live service. The 20 mph speed limit in Edinburgh's back streets was a killer, too, but at least it gives the Council an excuse not to repair the roads. It also allows pedestrians plenty of time to walk in front of oncoming traffic.

So we arrived at the venue later than expected. As we waited on Victoria Street behind a small gathering of fans within view of the doors, I never thought the queue streaming from the Beer Garden lane would ever end, with more and more savvy youngsters getting into the venue before us.

I needn't have fretted.

Inside, the venue had two levels (floor and balcony), so the space was not too cramped, helped by the fact that the show had not sold out. The floor level was oversaturated with throat-choking dry ice, bathing everyone in prime-coloured lighting. We managed to find a good spot in the middle of the room with a clear view of the raised stage.

The venue had a strict 10 p.m. curfew, so support act The Guest List, a young, nineties-inspired indie band from Manchester, came on at 7.45 pm and played their set to a respectful audience. The only time I saw the lead singer smile was when, between songs, he picked up his guitar when he shouldn't have. Their sound owes a debt to Oasis, which isn't bad thing. They've actually got more followers on YouTube than Seb Lowe, which I found surprising (69k vs 11k).

After the band left the stage, their drummer returned to hand over his drumsticks personally to a girl at the front. Her squeal of delight was heartwarming.

Between acts, I felt like a grandad, surrounded by so many kids. I'd entered a land where pronouns were serious but not obvious. 80s music, such as Belinda Carlisle and Madonna, played over the PA, getting a sing-a-long reaction from the young audience despite them not even being alive when it was chart-topping. The freakiest bit was when everyone started singing and doing the moves to a song I'd never heard before. I opened Shazam to identify it but got a tap on the shoulder, the helpful lad behind me explaining it was HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan. I was also asked by another girl if I was a reporter. She'd seen me making notes on my phone and wondered. These young things are not shy.

The excitement rose to ecstatic by the time Seb Lowe took to the stage at 8.45 p.m. If I was bewildered by how the crowd knew all the lyrics to the eighties songs, I was blown away by how well they sang along to these songs. The passionate performance of the leading man and his band revved up the party atmosphere.

To say his songs have a political edge would be an understatement. Any Tories or monarchists in the room would have left with lacerations such is the sharpness of his lyrics. I loved how much the band showed their joy at playing their songs. The elegant and demure Kate Couriel couldn't stop laughing after Seb ripped his trousers climbing back onto the stage. I wished her microphone had been louder during Mr and Mrs Human Race because her voice is lovely. Seb had trouble with his earpieces, the cord getting caught up with his guitar strap whenever he put the guitar down. The roadie had a great time trying to help him.

I know Seb's music is not aimed particularly at my generation, but I left feeling like I'd witnessed a modern event. It was a great night of pop music. At this moment in time, they are the future of music, and I was glad to be there.

On the road home, my Ford sat nav alerted me to two out of the three M8 road closures. Thank heavens, my wife downloaded the Waze app to guide me through Stepps because all the Ford one wanted me to do was return to the motorway.

We still got home before midnight.

Setlist
Jump Scare
I Fell In Love With a Talking Head
The Royal Family
Personality Test
Kill him (he's a Socialist)
Love Bomb
Football Players
Ode to Britannia
The Education System (Acoustic)
Freak. (Acoustic)
5168 Days
Mr & Mrs Human Race
Make Me Your National Anthem
iPhone (With 'HOT TO GO' section)
Terms and Conditions
Outro music: Dancing Queen (ABBA song)