Getting Down at Vansleep’s Single Launch Show
From their start back in 2016 to winning the Fudge ‘Best Newcomer’ award this year, Aberdonian alt/indie rock band ‘Vansleep’ have been making themselves one to watch. The current member line-up of Kyle MacRitchie, Bryn McLernon, Keir Smith and Ross Henderson are all uniquely talented. The band’s penchant for writing charismatic and cathartic indie rock tunes has made them a clear favourite within the Aberdeen music scene. It came as no surprise that their eagerly anticipated single launch gig (for ‘Lover’, their newest release) was busy with friends and fans alike.
The moment that headliner band Vansleep played their first note, the atmosphere within the room was electric. Slipping some of their early tracks, like the compelling ‘False Advertising’, into the setlist for their long-time supporters didn’t go unnoticed to say the least. Bryn’s rumbling bass guitar in ‘Lover’ adds to the dark, almost seductive vibe of the song while the bouncy guitar leads played by Kyle in ‘Get Up’ are reminiscent of Favourite Worst Nightmare era Arctic Monkeys. Kyle’s vocals have a confident, bluesy edge to them that contrasts well with the band’s more self-deprecating lyrics – including one of my personal favourite lines “I just came to let you down”. Seeing them perform, it’s obvious that they enjoy a good show and are just as vibrantly dynamic as their music suggests.
A word of warning though – Vansleep’s tunes are more than likely to get stuck in your head for a while. Providing danceable alt-rock tunes with young charm to spare, I recommend going to see them live if you can. There will be plenty of opportunities in the next few months, with a spot in the Perth Music Expo on the 6th September and playing support for Cold Years in October.
