The last day of May, it’s been an interesting month; first two thirds spent crossing Europe by train, gigs galore when I got back to Blighty, then bats aplenty this final week. Oh, and two great films in the cinema, but this post is about one, well, two things, the Logan’s Close gigs last week, down in the back of beyond at the bottom of Leith Links. Nah, not too far really, but when you don’t know where a place is, you know.

Thursday night I got the bus down, watching on Google maps when to jump off. From there it was just a stroll across the links, that’s when I wondered if it really knew where I wanted to go, didn’t look like there was much of anything around. Hmm, there was an old low, long wooden building, looked like a park storage place?! Nope, that was it, Leith FAB Cricket Club, or to use it’s full title Leith Franklin Academicals Beige Cricket Club (sounds like a name the Tuck would dream up), apparently it was formed in 1852!! A proper old cricket club it was, just think of all the happenings in there over the years, bet there’s a few good stories to tell, just add the nights Logan’s Close played to sell out crowds to the anthology.

We had been warned via social media that it would be cash only, no problem for us older ones; I noticed there was a card reader on the second evening, was it too confusing for the youngsters to deal with actual cash? Bless. Just hanging around before the support band came on, it was obvious the room would reach oven roasting temperatures and beyond (not helped by the still warm evening outside). When the support came on, the volume was waaay up, so between that and wanting to stay cool as long as possible, I exited a while. Note to self, remember my earplugs next time. A number of folk were chilling outside, plenty recognisable faces, soon everyone started heading in, the bar first then get a spot. Final adjustments, everybody ready and they were off.

There was a preamble to the first song kicking in, it was then I heard the extra percussion from the side of the stage behind the speaker, peering into the gloom there was a keyboard too, but the keyboard was at the other end?! Aha, why get one Raeburn brother in when you can get two? Two keyboards, extra percussion and the occasional extra guitar as the evening went by; oh, Sandy and Murray just slotted in perfectly (and they’re lovely guys from speaking to them afterwards). Curious Terrain was a bloody magnificent start, oh yes.

Songs from Heart-Shaped Jacuzzi bookended the set with some brand new songs and the previously heard Giddy Up, Baby! and Costume Changes in the middle. Hot Blondes followed by Babestation had the crowd bouncing and in full voice, time for a change of pace, a newie, Cuck Chair written by Scott, quite a spacey beginning with synths and Scott swapped on to acoustic guitar, nice. No guitar for the start of the sparse, punchy Giddy Up, Baby! but once again a cowboy hat was soon passed up to the stage (on Friday night too, is it the same person same hat, or?!)

Oh, Scotty was on magnificent form, his velvety tones so eloquently delivering his vivid narratives to the crowd, long stretches against the low ceiling (it’s easy not to realise how tall he is, obviously perfectly proportioned); really in his element, such a presence about him on stage. The new songs are a vibe moved on from the Jacuzzi tunes, but which will make it on to the second album? Fun and Games stood out for me yeah, couldn’t really say why, it just felt really good; and Groundhog Night with Carl on vocals, about the midnight slot at Whistlebinkies, I’m totally expecting to hear a pared back version in there at some point soon!

By now the fans know plenty of the words to Costume Changes, especially those who go see the Scat Rats as it often pops up in their sets; and Heart-shaped Jacuzzi, oh, what a blast!! It was brilliant on the Thursday night, but on the Friday, absolute chills, such a beautiful moment the room all singing it to the band, the love was palpable. It was the, ahem, final song, yeah right, the guys weren’t going to bother with the pretence of going offstage. Gouching provided another powerful singalong, ending with the baroque brilliance of Mock Marble Linoleum. Totally wrung out bodies and souls left the room, oh, there was more music after but like, everyone needed to catch their breath, take a moment or two, discuss what they just witnessed, and hugs. I floated off into the night to get a bus back to town.

And we did it all again the next night, just in a slightly different order and with an edge more exuberance with it being a Friday night (I say we, plenty of folk were there for both gigs). Half and Half made the set this time. I didn’t spot a setlist to snaffle at the end and I was having way too much fun to take any notes, I just have a few videos to spot the differences. Main one was that Hot Blondes In Your Area Tonight was moved from second to the final, really final, song, a fine call, the place went bonkers. Blissed out, sweaty blobs the lot of us by the end, but what epic fun 💛

Two fabulous evenings that hopefully put plenty of money in the coffers for the second album. If not, another gig or two? Another gig or two, anyway, please. I’ve still to put a few videos of these gigs on Instagram, but they will appear soon, promise. Now it’s very late, time for bed, goodnight and sweet dreams!