Showing @ O2 ABC, Glasgow, Sat 29 Mar only @ 19:00 (on tour)
Following the release of their new single, This Love, the Wishaw fivesome Vigo Thieves take on the most impressively set-up headline show of their journey so far, to mark the start of their UK tour. From a giddy crowd of Glaswegian super fans, half of which sport ‘Vigo Daft’ merchandise tees, the much awaited Thieves are welcomed to the stage with a rapturous reception, silhouetted by bright white back lights for true anthem-like effect.
A few songs in, the band whip out a seamless performance of their new single This Love, a New Order sounding tune with big synth riffs, bold drums and brash vocal hooks. The single proves itself popular, reflected in that almost the entirety of the adoring crowd seem to have mustered the ability to chant word-for-word in just four short weeks since the release date, an echoing match of Stevie Jukes’ Glaswegian twang. As the show develops, the iconic venue swells up with the stunningly powerful light displays which sync to Al Jukes’ pummeling drum beats.
The end of the show is clearly designed to make a statement. As the band go through several tracks from their 2013 EP Heart and Soul, confetti cannons, pyrotechnics and giant beach balls launch from the stage. Yet, despite the suitable big-band effects, Vigo Thieves look somewhat like a little town band who accidentally got lost on a big stage. Maybe it’s nerves or the overwhelming buzz of the ABC tonight but the band seem up-tight, motionless and at some points anti-climatically awkward.
Nevertheless, it would be unfair to disregard the impressive vocals of Jukes and the on-point tuning of the band over a mere stage presence issue. And the crowd are going insane. Hopefully if confidence runs parallel with success, Vigo Thieves will learn to match their bravado to their sound once the truth of their rapidly increasing popularity and sparking potential really begins to sink in.