Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb is set to play two epic gigs in Kinross.
The prolific Liverpudlian songsmith will play 50 songs from his extensive back catalogue across performances tonight and tomorrow at the Green Hotel.
It’s a format that’s gone down a storm with Ian’s fans on previous visits to the venue, where he last appeared a year ago to promote his 14th solo studio album Star Smile Strong. Known for playing for up to three hours at a time, he’ll be unaccompanied at the Green where he’s expected to include songs from his brilliant new album. Released in June, Our Future In Space features 13 self-penned tracks plus a cover of the Britney Spears hit Toxic. “I’ve got a lot of songs but there’s probably about 10 or 15 songs that people who aren’t necessarily huge fans of me will know,” he says.
“Really I’ve only had one hit single in the UK and one hit single in Europe and America, but the albums all did really well so you’re never quite sure which ones people know. You can usually bet it’s the ones that were singles that were nearly hits, and I’ve got a lot of those.
“When we play them now they go down like We Will Rock You. That’s because I’ve played them over the years and the records are pretty good and I’ve kept them alive.”
Now 57, Ian started out with psych rock trio Icicle Works in 1980, scoring a top 20 hit with the single Love Is A Wonderful Colour in 1983. After five albums he split the band in 1990, briefly joining The Wild Swans before his first solo material emerged the following year.
Ian enjoyed recognition for his ’90s sets Truth And Beauty, Merseybeast and the Mercury Prize-nominated Head Like A Rock, a collaboration with Neil Young’s backing band Crazy Horse. For the past 20 years he’s self-released albums on his Fairfield label, with standouts including The Gentleman Adventurer, Great Things and Little Episodes.
In recent years he’s has put together a new live version of Icicle Works featuring ex-Black bassist Roy Corkhill, Waterboys keyboardist Richard Naiff and Dodgy drummer Matthew Priest. The band are playing Glasgow’s Academy in May but for now fans will have to be content with Ian’s two nights at Kinross — the only Scottish gigs on his current UK tour.
Green Hotel tickets are £18 from mundellmusic.com.
*** Roddy Woomble is the latest big name playing Perth Theatre’s Monday Night Thing next week.
The Idlewild frontman’s Mill Street gig follows an appearance from SAY Award winner Kathryn Joseph earlier this month.
Although it’ll be Roddy’s first Fair City visit since his band played a barnstorming show at Perth Concert Hall in November 2015, the Isle of Iona resident’s managed Courier Country gigs in Birnam and Newport over the past 12 months. He’s also lined up a gig at the Green Hotel in Kinross on October 12.
Roddy’s supported by poetic chanteuse Heir Of The Cursed on Monday. Tickets £14/£16 plus fee via horsecross.co.uk.
*** A triple-bill of punk attitude is on the cards at Conroy’s Basement tonight.
The Meadowside venue’s latest Make-That-A-Take Records show hosts American rockers Smoke Or Fire’s frontman Joe McMahon, Arliss Nancy songsmith Cory Call with his wife Kirsty and Edinburgh acoustic troubadour Billy Liar.
MTAT chief Deeker Johnston said: “After a summer spent touring Europe with his band The Dockineers, it’s our pleasure to welcome Joe back to Dundee. Cory’s charmed us as part of Colorado’s finest boogie bar band, while Billy continues his evolution into one of Scotland’s most articulate and respected singer-songwriters.”
Tickets £6/£8 via MTAT Records.
*** Electro popsters Beta Waves have a home turf gig lined up at Church tonight. Dundee-based duo Dale Easson and Harry Crossan are being supported by rising Perth rockers Parliamo and multi-instrumentalist Devon. Tickets £7 from gigsinscotland.com.
*** There’s a death metal fest instore at Beat Generator Live! tomorrow.
Now in its ninth year, the Hordes Of Belial event — aptly titled Nine Lives — features a host of underground outfits including Krysthla, Solitary, King Leviathan, King Witch, Splintered Halo, Godeater, Solar Sons, Necrocracy, Starry Wisdom Cult and Red Calf.
It starts at 4pm, with tickets £10 from wegottickets.com.
*** Captain Beefheart homage Orange Claw Hammer are at Clarks On Lindsay Street on Thursday.
The Edinburgh four-piece have earned plaudits for their virtuoso interpretations of the avant-rock icon’s work. Tickets £10/£11 from the bar, Grouchos, Assai Records and Eventbrite.
*** Number 57 has a bumper bill on Sunday starting at 3pm. Taking part are Bedrock, The Sixties, Junkyard Dogs, Tivvy, Ringer and Chain Gang, with admission £5. Tomorrow, it’s Ringer live.
*** Pub rockers Cherry Bombz are at Clarks tonight, Arbroath’s Station Bar tomorrow and The Tavern on Sunday.
