Seattle band Minus The Bear have been around since 2001 and have released six acclaimed albums. Tonight they are in Glasgow to promote their latest record Voids. The support act are another established act that like to combine rock, pop and electronics, Chicago’s Joan Of Arc.

For many people the name Kinsella is synonymous with passionate and exciting music. Tim Kinsella has been in many innovative bands over the years, including Cap n’ Jazz and Owls. It has been twenty years since Joan Of Arc released their debut record and the band has a substantial back catalogue to draw upon, but this evening it is songs from new album He’s Got The Whole This Land is Your Land In His Hands that make up the majority of their support slot.

The set is a strong one and builds from song to song, with the noise and electronics becoming more innovative and more expansive with every track. By the time the four piece band get to bratty Beastie Boys-sounding This Must Be The Placenta, the bass is so forceful that it feels overwhelming in a powerful and exuberant way. It is unfortunate that Joan Of Arc are only the support tonight. A band with such a vast back catalogue should have been on the stage longer than the 45 minutes they were allocated.

Minus The Bear are a rock band that like to incorporate electro-pop sounds into their music. They start as they mean to go on with a full throttle version of Voids’ opening track Last Kiss. It’s a blistering introduction and is infused with spirit and energy. Vocalist Jake Snider has a voice that is soft and also forceful. It commands your attention and when Snider’s vocals combine with keyboard player Alex Rose, the melodies are rich, pure and soaring.

But the set tonight is not all about melody. The heavy riffs of the track Give & Take get the audience moving with the bass heavy rhythms and the infectious My Time feels loud, brash and rough in a live setting. Minus the Bear are also prepared to delve into their back catalogue and present their more math-rock/emo sounding songs. Absinthe Party at The Fly Honey Warehouse from debut album Highly Refined Pirates defines this sound and is a welcome reminder of how the music of the band has evolved over the years. The band encore with Invisible, the most accessible track of Voids and a high octane conclusion to the evening.

The two-band bill tonight showcased two acts who look to innovate and experiment with each album they release. This innovation translated well in a live setting and the audience witnessed two bands who continue to improve with age.