Mogwai – Powerstation

Sitting down to write this, mind freshly blown by an incredible show, is a bit of a challenge. What we just witnessed was ninety minutes of pure wonder, beauty and sound.

Seeing Mogwai play the Powerstation is an event in itself. Seeing them after a 16 year gap since their last visit is another thing entirely.

The Glaswegian 6 piece took us through a breathtaking journey through some of the best parts of their 8 album repertoire. It’s the kind of show where you can close your eyes and lose yourself, swathed in iridescent waves of mind-expanding sound.

The reverent silence was occasionally broken with whoops from the audience, as this long awaited show unfolded. They begin with track one from their most recent album, Rave Tapes – Heard About You Last Night. Quiet and meditative, followed by the first elegant lines from the guitar, it’s a fitting opener. They ease us in as they continue in the same vein with; Take Me Somewhere Nice and Jim Morrison.  Travel begins to build the volume and momentum, moving up to Werewolf which brings in a brighter sound as they really hit their stride. The music is complemented by subtle coloured lights and hexagonal frames echoing the album artwork from Rave Tapes, glowing in various colours above the stage. When the volume reaches fever pitch the strobes flash even faster, it’s like they’re trying to make your brain explode. The sensory overload continues as they follow up with Helicon 1, the bright spaciousness of the song filling the air with shimmering trebly guitar. (Songs like this could be the reason NZ band Jakob exist)

Rano Pano from 2011 album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will is a storm of drums and growling distorted guitar riffs, one of the grittier songs tonight that come with a faster solid groove – much like Ithica from 1997 album, Ten Rapid, which comes after another new song from Rave Tapes,  Deesh.

This year marks the band’s 20 year anniversary, and it shows. They’re solid as a rock. The songs are played with a single heartbeat; a raft of sound, floating up on another plane. It’s strident and fully anchored; a beautiful assault on the senses. Shouts of “We love you Mogwai!” and “I love you Stuart!” (aimed at Stuart Braithwaite, standing stoically with his bass, stage right) from some guys behind me, show the fans are definitely feeling the love tonight.

They end their hour long set with the gorgeous Two Rights Make One Wrong, from 2001 album Rock Action, followed by Mexican from Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. This is followed by a generous encore. Beginning with the landmark track Hunted By A Freak (an instantly recognisable track for Mogwai fans, from 2003’s Happy Songs for Happy People) they follow up with Auto Rock, then bring it home with Batcat from 2008’s The Hawk is Howling. It’s breathtaking in its sheer strength, combined with their trademark steadiness and control. The drop from super loud to super quiet in the second half is flawless. I closed my eyes and let that beautiful bright white noise fill my brain. Mind fully blown. This is a show I won’t forget for a long time.

– Dedee W

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