The weather has been wonderful in Glasgow lately. It was finally feeling like spring had arrived. But nothing lasts forever, and certainly that is true of sunny, warm conditions afforded this fair city. We were back to type – grey skies and the constant threat of rain (if not actual precipitation).
It was an early start to the day. Saint Sappho’s album launch set was kicking off at midday so to ensure we were there on time it meant catching the 10:41 train in to Queen Street. It allowed us to meander somewhat while making our way to Assai. On the way down the OH mentioned the Waterstones as we walked by it. I had said to her that I don’t think I had ever been in that particular Waterstones – or if I had then it’s had quite a facelift since the last time (which would have been YEARS ago). It was completely unrecognisable to me. If I have ever been in their, it has been erased from my memory. But I digress. What I do know is is that it’s the first time I’ve been into a bookstore since the details of the publication of my book were revealed to me. As I looked around the shelves I couldn’t help but feel a wee tingle of excitement at the thought of my own book, my own name, present on the shelves in the near future. It feels incredibly surreal and I have no doubt it’ll feel even more surreal when the time comes. We left the store with me pondering why I had not been in this Waterstones that often. It’s lovely! I used to think that the Argyle Street one was very nice, but I think the Sauchiehall Street store is just as nice if not better.
We got to Assai at around 11:30. It was rather quiet. The band were setting up and ‘soundchecking’ of a sort. There weren’t many customers in the shop, it all felt like it was the aftermath of Record Store Day. No one having two brass razoos to rub together. For a Saturday, Glasgow was quiet but it soon got busier.
The band were busy chatting away with friends that came for the show and so the set kicked off a little later than advertised and started around 12:15. Nae bother. It’s not as if we had somewhere else to be. It’s was quickly apparent that although this was deemed a stripped-back set, they would be replicating their sound on record with aplomb. I think, if memory serves me, they started the set with the album’s opening track, ‘Tomorrow.’ I recorded ‘Inside a Memory’ which also sounded great. They also performed previous singles ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ and the titular ‘Between the Lines’ before ending the set with ‘People Like Us.’ They might have also performed another previous single, ‘Once Again,’ but I am such an old fogey these days with such a bad memory, I can’t recall. Also, there was a rather strong point of distraction happening as around half-way through their performance some bloody Orange march was crossing along Blythswood Street, making a right racket and doing their best to drown out Saint Sappho. Timing, eh? The band could see the funny side of it and the ridiculousness of it and took it in their stride. What else could they do?
They’re performing again this evening at a gig going on in Queen’s Park (or does it not need an apostrophe? Both seem to happen. Shrug) – the Queen’s Park weekender, which kicked off yesterday and ends tonight. Saint Sappho are on around 18:45 this evening if you’re in the area and you have the funds to go. If not, then I recommend that you check out the new album, which you can buy on vinyl at Assai or through the band’s Bandcamp store – they also have it available on CD and digital download on Bandcamp.
I felt bad for leaving Assai after they performed their set but there was no point in hanging around. I couldn’t afford a copy of the vinyl and I had hoped there might be CDs available to buy but there wasn’t. I would have loved to have bought a copy of the CD and get it signed by the ladies but I will purchase a copy of the album on their Bandcamp store. If you’re interested in checking out their store, you can find it HERE
Next up for me will be The Twilight Sad at the Barrowland Ballroom on Wednesday night.