Twin Atlantic - Inverness Ironworks

Twin Atlantic have experienced a rapid rise to fame most Scottish bands can only dream of, and only a handful have actually achieved. The Glasgow quartet first stormed to my attention after supporting Biffy Clyro at their sold out show at this exact venue three years ago. They must have realised at that point that supporting some of the biggest bands in the world (Blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, My Chemical Romance et al) would no doubt boost their popularity, and this is confirmed no end with the Ironworks packed out to capacity (a later tweet from the band confirmed all tickets kept back on the door had sold).
However it hasn't exactly been an easy road to travel for the band to make such gains. In a recent interview singer Sam Mctrusty (the most trustable name in the business) voiced his frustrations at playing 30 minute sets every night. On the eve of releasing "debut" album 'Free' (apparently 2009's 'Vivarium' was a "mini-album") Twin Atlantic have stepped out from the torture of watching bigger bands from the wings and into the spotlight, playing in front of packed houses most nights and indeed selling out tonight's show.
Taking stage are four far less hairy Scots than on each of the many occasions I have seen Twin previously, it would seem a slightly more approachable look perhaps helps on the road to success. Opening with the double header of new album singles 'Free' and 'Edit Me' it is plain to see the power pop rockers have honed their live show in recent months. Where before they seemed to throw songs together on a setlist before coming on stage in a "we've written 8 or so good songs, here they are" sort of way, there is a feeling of consideration for both new album tracks and older songs which this crowd recognise instantly.
Although the album is not out for another few hours, many at the gig seem guilty of internet misbehaviour (I don't condone any illegal downloading) as they sing along to tracks like 'Time For You To Stand Up' and 'The Ghost of Eddie' - a personal favourite of mine from the album, if Dave Grohl had grown up in Glasgow the Foo Fighters would sound a lot like this track.
Of course "the classics" are received with more enthusiasm than this venue's seen in a long time. 'Lightspeed' 'Audience and Audio' and 'What Is Light, Where Is Laughter' all have great cases to the title of 'Best Live Scottish Song' and the band's unmistakable nationalism is clear when Sam Mctrusty asks for a Scotland flag to be passed to the stage. As a chant of 'Scotland! Scotland!' goes up and it all very nearly becomes extremely cringeworthy Sam exclaims "This is turning into something from a f**king Runrig concert!"
Ending a triumphant night with the anti-American 'You're Turning Into John Wayne' Twin Atlantic exit the stage safe in the thought that a new chapter of the band's life has begun. They have taken the first steps to real stardom with this new air they seem to have about them, a serious approach to making music their full time occupation. And anyway, I'm sure even Biffy Clyro played more than their fair share of support slots.
9/10


'Free' is out now on Red Bull Records