So this is my first big gig for a couple of months or so. After spending too much time in dingy pubs watching dingy bands, it was no wonder I’d spent most of 2003 feeling utterly, utterly depressed. Therefore, it’s nice going to see a couple of bands who I knew were going to be good.

And they were good. Very very very very good indeed.

By some strange coincidence, the first time I’d seen both The Delgados and Aereogramme was in the same venue – The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen. The Delgados played around the time of ‘Monika Webster/Brand New Car’ was released (ie. their first single and the first ever release on Chemikal Underground). Yeah, I’m so indie baby. The gig wasn’t hugely busy, maybe 50-80 people or so there at most. A similar story for Aereogramme. Was their first time playing Aberdeen and nobody really knew who they were. The gig was broadcast live on Radio 1 and we were informed that they were going to be "huge”. Fair enough. They were good, but tame by today’s standard.

Both bands have changed dramatically since those gigs. Aereogramme know how to ROCK and rock very much. I think I probably just have a thing for bands who can veer from lovely Flaming Lips-esque noises to a screaming wall of sound in the same song (perfected on ‘Post Tour, Pre Judgement’). They make me grin, make me go “ooooh” and make me want to form my own fucking band (be warned). Their new songs are magnificent and make me feel extremely excited about the prospect of a new album this spring. If I could grow a beard, then I would.

The Delgados, on the other hand, have gone from making scratchy 7” singles to something which pulls all the right heart strings. ‘Everything Goes Around the Water’ and ‘Pull the Wires From the Wall’ are now certified classic singles, and hearing ‘American Trilogy’ again made me get out ‘The Great Eastern’ album as soon as I’d got home.

The new songs from the ‘Hate’ album haven’t yet firmly implemented themselves in my mind or, it seems, for much of the audience. There were a few moments where the pace was slowed a bit. It can only be a short time before we can take this album to heart as much as the others. We shall see. ‘All You Need Is Hate’ is already on its way there a song to add to their slew of great singles.

Having seen the band play slightly more standoffish gigs, it was nice to hear a bit of banter between themselves and the audience. Funniest moment was the introduction to the token cover version, ELO’s ‘Mr Blue Sky’. In short, Emma had demanded to play it, much to Alun’s disgust. “This song is pish,” announces Alun, “if you like it, you’re all dicks.” Nice. ELO would be proud, I’m sure.