With The Law poised on breakout into something a whole lot bigger than just the finest band Dundee has to offer right now, and Alto Elite poised on breaking out into what surely is going to be UK, if not world-wide, recognition, you got the feeling that a gig with these two bands sharing the stage, is something you're just gonna have to attend as it will be something, further down the line, that you'll proudly proclaim you attended, when both bands have achieved superstardom.
Alto Elite are the consummate mix of of classic indie and seriously commercial, but what even I wasn't prepared for, was just how powerful these guys are in a live setting, without losing anything of what makes them such a stunning band. Throughout the set, you had a lead vocalist who just soared majestically through the songs with some spectacular vocal harmonies adding the necessary depth and strength, giving a set of songs that were alreay going to be memorable, an addictive quality that had them swirling around your head long after they'd left the stage. Add to that, a twin guitar hurricane of riffing and lead work, all performed above a solid, driving rhythm section, and this was a band that you just knew had got something ultra special to them as you watched and listened with wrapt attention, swaying or dancing along to a sea of commecially solid songs that had "quality" running through their veins.
The Law have come a long way and yet they are still developing rapidly. Back to a quartet, they delivered the recently released album with confidence, strength and a biting edge that set them apart from most other indie bands in the UK around today. For theirs is a set of songs that have got everything you'd expect from a band who have the potential to be a modern day answer to The Beatles. Not only did we start with an electrifying drive through "Don't Stop, Believe", Stevie Anderson's guitar swirling and cutting through the crunch of the surging rhythm section , as Stuart's vocal just soars out of the PA, unleashing verses and choruses that sound familiar even if you've never before heard the song. From there on, it was almost like a "greatest hits" set, as all bar two of the album's tracks, were delivered with a clarity and power that just took you along in its wake. But, more than that, they dug out a seriously chugging crowd-pleaser in the, previously traditional set-closer, song that is "Hot Rod", while a couple more non-album songs were greeted with equal amounts of enthusiasm from the audience. The band played as one tightly knit unit, with songs that oozed confidence and assurance, and by the time they came to the uplifting intensity and inspirational rush that is "The Chase", a packed Doghouse felt, to a man, that this had been worth every penny of the asking price, a stunning performance by a great band, and possibly the lasst time they'd be witnessing these two bands on the same stage - everyone left with a mile-wide smile on their faces.