A Reflection of Catfish & the Bottlemen Gigs Through the Years
Photo Cred: Karina Caulfield
02 May 2020
Van McCann – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Johnny Bond – Guitar
Benji Blakeway – Bass guitar
Jon Barr – Drums
Van McCann – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Johnny Bond – Guitar
Benji Blakeway – Bass guitar
Jon Barr – Drums
Van McCann – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Johnny Bond – Guitar
Benji Blakeway – Bass guitar
Jon Barr – Drums
Sunday 12th July 2015: T in the Park
I was only 16 when I first saw ‘Catfish and the Bottlemen’, in 2015’s T in the Park. It was goodbye to Balado, and hello to Strathallan, a new venue for Scotland’s biggest music festival. For the first time, my parents had allowed me to spend the weekend with my school friends (minus the camping ☹) without any adults.
It was the last day of 2015’s weekend, Sunday 12th July to be exact. We secured a spot at front of the barrier, in eager anticipation. As soon as they walked on, they provided a charismatic and energetic atmosphere, playing most songs from their first and only album at the time, The Balcony. The crowd pleasers such as ‘Cocoon’, ‘Kathleen’, ‘Pacifier’ and ‘Fallout’ were responded with mosh pitting and dancing, clinging onto random people to stay on your feet.
The upbeat songs are accompanied with zingy electric guitar and drums and are certainly songs that are needed to be played loud. The lead singer, Van McCann stood centre stage hitting the powerful notes.
Photo Cred: Karina Caulfield
Outside meant however, you weren’t sweating like mad and it was easy to get out, if you had to. The day was sunny and dry with everyone dancing, recording or in my case, secretly pulling out a hipflask of vodka. Another favourite played, was ‘Hourglass’, a slow and soft song, allowing the raw sound of the acoustic guitar to accentuate. The crowd began swaying from side to side as the more relaxed mood set upon us.
It was also a time I felt appreciative of my friends surrounding me. As I gazed around, the hundreds or thousands of strangers collectively sang together. At the time ‘Catfish’ were one of my favourite bands, and not always do you get to experience this opportunity.
Sunday November 1st 2015: Edinburgh Corn Exchange
‘Catfish’s’ second gig I attended was November of the same year. I was newly 17 and my friends and I had chipped in for a Travelodge in Scotland’s capital, for their night in the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. I remember it being dark and feeling small and very, very cramped. As soon as the indie rock band entered; the jumping, the screaming and the intense guitar and vocals erupted. LOUD is what comes to mind, as though the room was too small for the sheer acoustic levels. However, loud was the best option.
Again, their classic songs were played however, this night was a little blurry, drinking a little too much. It felt like freedom to be away from our small town at school, all together again. The sweat and dizziness soon kicked in and only a handful of us could handle sticking it out at the front – a claustrophobic mess but a great atmosphere. They played incredibly well, talking to the crowd with awe and cheekiness.
A new song was played this time, called ‘7’, later released on their second album, The Ride in 2016. Van McCann sang out the catchy chorus “I don’t think things through, I never get time…” which was welcomed by the audience, beginning to sing in sync.
Friday 8th November 2019: Glasgow SECC Hydro
A couple years rolled by; I had finished school in 2016 and excitedly moved away to Edinburgh for university the following year. It was not until November 2019 at the age 21, that I finally saw ‘Catfish & the Bottlemen’, over four years since I had last saw them. During this gap, the four-piece band had released two additional albums including, The Ride (2016) and The Balance (2019).
My friend and I were both eager and looking forward to what ‘Catfish’ had to offer; this time at Glasgow’s SECC Hydro. Of course, a huge step forward in the size of venue, meaning a greater audience and fan base and a peak in popularity.
Evidently, this time, it was a little harder securing the barrier, instead we settled for somewhere in the middle. Around us there were a mix of different ages however as we were entering, groups of what looked like 16-year olds were dotted about, and I remember wishing to be that age again, with a little less responsibility.
Photo Cred: Karina Caulfield
The room fell dark and the stage lights rose, featuring their album’s pelican icon, as ‘Catfish’ entered the stage. They opened with ‘Longshot’ their first single of the 2019 album, and the very track which sparked our excitement and idea to see them live again. The song remains true to their sound and style, as does the whole of The Balance, but a little different, with fresher melodies and riffs whilst keeping their catchy choruses.
Soon they went straight into their first album and we danced to ‘Pacifier’ featuring electric guitar solos as well as ‘Kathleen’ and ‘Fallout’. Mosh pit after mosh pit were made behind us, providing impossible to keep your same spot for the whole gig. Instead, jumping, pushing and holding on to people was the best solution.
From their second album, ‘Glasgow’ was a crowd pleaser, a time where, everyone stood still listening and recording the raw and delicate side of Van McCann’s voice. It was accompanied, perfectly with the subtle fingerpicked guitar, resonating throughout the colossal venue.
Of course, mixed into the setlist were songs of their latest album, such as ‘2all’, ‘Conversation’ and ‘Fluctuate’. They provided the audience with extended drum and guitar solos, allowing something a little different but also emphasising their sheer talent.
Their set closed with two songs from The Balcony. Second last was, ‘Cocoon’, the very first track I had ever heard from ‘Catfish’ and finally, ‘Tyrants’, the same closing number for 2015’s T in the Park. This night was a feeling of nostalgia as we jumped around screaming out songs, we last did at 16, not caring what anyone thought.
Author: Karina Caulfield