Tramway, Glasgow; live stream album launchGlasgow’s post-rock giants launch their 10th album with a thunderous filmed playback that cries out to be heard live
“Warning: this performance contains flashing images,” glowers the holding page for Mogwai’s online gig. I’m reminded of the most intense show I ever saw in my life, which was theirs. They were a new band at the time, formed in Glasgow; pioneers of a new style called post-rock, promoting their 1997 debut album, Mogwai Young Team. Playing instrumental tracks that moved abruptly from quietness to loudness, a style that would become their trademark, they shredded their guitars and slammed on the effects pedals as they strobed white lights into the audience.
I remember screwing my eyes shut, submerging myself among strangers in the fabulous noise. I try this technique again nearly a quarter of a century later, but full immersion is hard when you’re on a sofa, the fire’s on, and the cat keeps strolling by. Synth player Barry Burns nails another aspect of the weirdness of watching Mogwai at home, in a tweet just before the live stream begins. It’s a post that demonstrates just how beloved they are as a live entity: “This is your chance to talk all the way through a Mogwai gig and not get angry stares.”