Our Sad Lads – Dude Trips at Captain Tom’s
Scotland is no stranger to talented and diverse musicians, as proven by the sold-out Dude Trips show in Aberdeen on the 14th of this month. The hype building up to the gig was incredible, with three other bands on the bill. Terra Nᴓva, Bleach and Lashing Out respectively all added their own energy to the intimate venue. The smaller space of Captain Tom’s was great for encouraging more connection between the bands and the audience.
The first band up, Terra Nᴓva, warm up the crowd with their raw and aggressively energetic performance. Their nostalgic brand of Brit-Pop influenced indie rock is comfortably familiar and an enjoyable style for the audience.
Followed by Fraserburgh-based punk darlings, Bleach, the wild contrast in style and energy keeps everyone in the room paying attention to what they have to say. Playing songs from their self-titled debut EP (including crowd-favourite ‘Smile On My Face’), their punchy guitar melodies make sure everyone in the room is smiling with them.
Lashing Out explode into their set with front man Connor Muskett showcasing some disturbingly intense screams – only emphasised by the acoustics in the compact room. During this performance, the centre of the room becomes a hardcore mosh pit only braved by experienced pitters.
The venue is filled with people by the time Scottish pop-punk band 'Dude Trips’ begin their set, from Fraserburgh fans to dedicated friends of the band. They play every song from both their EP releases (Sad Lads and Keepsake), with the entire audience singing each word in perfect tandem with them. There are multiple crowd surfers and the energy in the room is so electrifying that no-one can look away from the band. In a surprise at the end of their set, Dude Trips debut a new song dedicated to ‘Kit Coutts’. The devastatingly emotional track voices the hurt and regret in losing someone so young and so kind. By the time the song finishes, friends and strangers are holding each other while they cry. There is the feeling that everyone in the room understands, that for a moment any petty thoughts are put away and we are all thinking of her.
This was the last Scottish gig before Dude Trips embark on their English tour in August and it’s safe to say that it was the perfect send-off. Pop-punk have a star on the rise with this band and I am personally expecting great things from them in the future.
