What is louder, a harrier jet or the sound that comes out of a Mogwai gig? I know it’s almost a given now that when you show up to one of their concerts, the volume is going to be turned up to the max; but the fact that ear defenders are readily available on each of the bars tells you they are not messing about. Their latest UK tour comes off the back of their tenth studio album and first number one in a quarter of a century being a band. If somebody tells you that rock is dead, then they are clearly mistaken.
They open proceedings with recent standalone single “Boltfor”, which perfectly blends together everything that the band have become over time. It feels like a superhero’s theme, the way in which the synths build to make one feel as though you’re floating in the air. This is then punctuated with the almost quite literal roar of the guitars as they kick in towards the later half of the song. There’s something that feels almost makes you feel triumphant after listening to it and if any opening can do that for you, then you know you’re in for a show.
It’s followed with in my personal opinion the best song they’ve recorded “I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead” off of their 2008 record “The Hawk Is Howling”. It feels like a love song if you could call it that; lead with the keys rather than being driven by the guitars. As it reaches its climax you can feel the bass moving through your legs and for a moment I take my defenders out of my ears just to be bathed in the sound. Another particular highlight comes in the form of “How To Be A Werewolf”, which just keeps building and building into one glorious crescendo of noise.
“Drive The Nail” off “As The Love Continues” chugs along and feels as though an army is marching straight towards you in the room; the reverb turned all of the way up for maximum effect. Both “Killing All The Flies” and “I Know You Are But What Am I” share the same album and settle the tone down slightly, starting a series of songs which feel like you are part of some distorted lullaby. Things go back to being very noisy again with “Ceiling Granny”, which is treated like an old classic despite only being released on their latest record and rings out like a head-bopping festival anthem in the Great Hall.
When it comes to the “Young Team” outing “Like Herod”, something special happens and I had the same thing happen the last time that I went to a Mogwai gig. You’re lured into a false sense of security where things are toned down for a moment and the atmosphere in the room feels fragile. The crowd go quiet as they are drawn into the intimacy of the occasion and for the first time you can hear the glasses at the bar. And then suddenly bang! Myself and several others jump out of their skin; even when we’re already prepared for it as the breakdown that any metal band would be proud of kicks in. It’s very rare that you can go to a show and be made to feel on edge as if one were watching a horror movie.
What’s great about the setlist tonight is that we get to dip our toes into a wide range of the back catalogue over the years, there’s something for everyone there. Whilst it feels as though a lot of the earlier part of the set we’ve been pummeled in the best possible way with a foreboding and heavy tone that you can feel in your bones, the encore is more hopeful if you can call it that and brings a sense of calm to the evening. Firstly with “2 Rights Make 1 Wrong”, followed afterwards by “Ratts Of The Capital”.
When you go to a Mogwai concert, you don’t just listen to the music; you physically feel it. That’s not just because of the decibel count that vibrates through your chest and turns it to mush. All of their songs feel as though they are given new life when played live. You can pick out each individual guitar that comprises the wall of sound are you’re able to notice the little details that you just don’t on record, and this is particularly evident during the final two songs. All in all you feel as though you’ve experienced something tonight. You’re not quite sure what, everyone leaves the venue ears ringing and somewhat dazed. But you know it’s certainly been something special.
