Embrace

It seems odd that Embrace have managed to survive the demise of the Britpop scene when so many similar bands have fallen by the wayside but their blend of anthemic pop and Verve style choruses has earned them a loyal following. The latest insurgence of melodic indie music has been headed up by bands like Keane and Thirteen Senses. It's an environment that has suited Embrace well and with the new album 'Out of Nothing' debuting at number one, coupled with a sell out tour it's hardly surprising that the band can swagger around with a new found sense of confidence.

It had been a while since I'd seen the band perform live and the new songs proved that they have managed to grow in maturity. Opening with their new single Ashes, Danny McNamara strolled around the stage, striking poses full of self confidence and lapping up the atmosphere. Embrace were evidently enjoying themselves and 'All you good good people,' 'Gravity' and 'Come Back to what you know' were all played early on in the set.

The atmosphere was nothing short of amazing, being disrupted for only a short while when a fight broke out, causing the band to stop mid-way through a song and break into an impromptu rendition of 'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside'. The venue however, was far from amazing. The sign on the door 'staff wanted' should have been changed to 'staff needed urgently' and the queue for the bar stretched out the venue entrance and into the car park.

The gig itself had been poorly advertised. Danny himself saying 'I thought Scotland was just Glasgow and Edinburgh, but I was so wrong!'. The inclusion of this gig as a last minute addition to their sell out tour was a great idea and the band adopted a casual interaction with the crowd that went down superbly during classics like 'Come back to what you know' and 'Save Me'. At one stage Danny took it upon himself to climb up into the auditorium and encourage a group of fans to sing along with him, emphasising the intimate mood of the entire set.

The encore lasted a full six songs and gave Embrace the chance to debut Glorious Day as well as their cover version of D12's 'How come', which they performed on Radio 1 for Jo Wiley and will be on the B-side to Ashes. The band ended on a traditional note, with 'The Good will out' finishing off a strong set that proves Embrace's durability.

FUTURE GIGS