I like the Beach Ballroom; the way it defiantly eyeballs Codonas and other seafront developments across the links and just about survives having an uninspiring leisure centre skittering out from its behind, it’s an iconic part of the city’s musical history that will hopefully be with us forever.

Let’s also hope that this show sees many punters hitting the venue’s famous sprung dancefloor; organised by local musician Jamie Rodden to raise funds for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s Coronary Care Unit after his father Jim spent some time there earlier this year, it features a great line-up of some of the city’s best-known bands.  See poster below for confirmation of this then check out the event’s Facebook page. In summary: good cause, good venue, good music.  Good.

*If I had a local press hat, I’d put it on now and write this:*

‘Alongside the traditional Bonfire Night celebrations on Aberdeen’s seafront, fireworks of the musical kind will be on offer at the Beach Ballroom this Friday as some of Scotland’s top young indie music acts…’

*Throws imaginary hat in bin*

Nah.

It is tempting to stuff this full of puns such as ‘Fawkeing excellent’ before ending with a ‘bang’ on ‘light the blue touchpaper and stand well back’ though, but I shall resist…

Anyway, this is the fourth ‘Live at The Beach‘ show and it’s shaping up to be the best yet.  We’ve featured all of these bands/people before, but here’s a wee rundown for the slow ones:

Meursault

After hitting the festival circuit and mainland Europe earlier this year on the back of their superb second album ‘All Creatures Will Make Merry‘, Edinburgh’s Meursault are now finally getting the recognition they deserve. Folky-influences, electronica, swirling geetars, and a dose of good, old-fashioned Scottish melancholia are all augmented by their best asset; frontman Neil Pennycook’s quite frankly astounding voice.  One of the best bands to come out of Scotland in a long time.

The Deportees

Fast-becoming a must-see round these parts and surely bound for bigger things, The Deportees’ brand of Americana and folk-tinged rock is at its best on those songs which build and build, luckily for us, they’ve got quite a few of them, and oh my, those harmonies…

Amber Wilson

Local singer-songwriter with a quite amazing, breathy voice. Should be quite something on the ballroom’s big stage.

Debutant

Lovely, shimmering, delicate post-rocky stuff from Aberdonian Philip Quirie.

There you go then.

And go you should.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/6328647]

Anyway, it looked fantastic, cheers Jon!  Thanks to the organisers, the bands & the many punters too, the Beach Ballroom (a bit tatty round the edges but with a refurb on the way) is a pretty cool venue. Let’s hope it’s the first of many shows like this…

Aye, you can breathe easy, it’s indoors.  Not actually on the beach…

The Beach Ballroom is criminally underused but remains one of the city’s iconic venues, I mean, how many places these days still have a sprung dancefloor? Boing! Yup, this is going to be good, if you’ve any interest whatsoever in the local music scene then get yourselves along …

The line-up?  Well, it’s not too much of a stretch to say that these are four of the best indie bands in Aberdeen, all of whom we’ve featured on The Kiosque at some point or other:

The Little Kicks

After finally releasing debut album ‘Boxing Clever’ last year, it’s a bit of a mystery as to why Steven Milne and his cohorts’ brand of angular indie-pop still hasn’t seen them become very big indeed. Fine. We’ll keep them to ourselves then.  Totally polished, hook-laden melodies that will sound superb in this room. Guaranteed.

Indian Red Lopez

One of the most exciting new bands to come out of the North-East in years, Indian Red Lopez’s ‘Castles Incomplete’ EP caused a bit of a buzz on release, and quite rightly too.  Beats, electronics and good old-fashioned geetars melt together in a totally intoxicating, mesmerising way.  Back in the studio, and recently added to the sold-out Fence Records Homegame festival in March, 2010 will be the year of the Lopez.

Cast of the Capital

Shimmery, sunny indie-pop with a capital (sorry) POP, this lot will make you think you’re next to the Pacific Ocean rather than the North Sea.  Already featured on Steve Lamacq’s BBC6 Music show and with appearances at Rockness, Belladrum and Wizard under their belts,  their stock will rise even higher this year.  If there’s any justice in this world.

The Underkills

Ploughing a slightly rockier furrow than the other bands on the bill.  Anthemic, powerful, stomping indie-rock which should be a great way to open the show.

We’re also promised visuals from the always excellent M.O.C/Do It! crew which will only add to the sense of occasion.  This is a great chance to prove how healthy the scene is up here,  if you’ve got any friends who usually only turn out for the big touring bands, take them along to this.  They won’t be disappointed.

(All the band names click through to their myspaces etc)

Sunday 17 January | The Tunnels
Future of the Left, This Familiar Smile, Turning 13
Loud, critically acclaimed, lo-fi Welsh post-rockers

Thursday 28 January | Peacock Visual Arts
Withered Hand, Debutant
Superb Edinburgh lyricist and rare acoustic show from Aberdonian Debutant (unplugged gig)

Saturday 30 January | The Tunnels
Oceansize, And So I Watch You From Afar, Vessels
Proggy Manchester outfit’s rescheduled show from November. Good support too.

Sunday 31 January | Snafu
Findo Gask, Liquid Liquid (DJ Set), DHC DJs
Excellent, synth-heavy Glasgow band & NYC post-punk legends help The Dirty Hearts Club celebrate their 4th birthday

Saturday 6 February | Beach Ballroom
The Little Kicks, Indian Red Lopez, Cast of the Capital, The Underkills
Great line-up featuring the very best of Aberdeen’s indie bands. Could well be a turning point for the local scene

Monday 15 February | The Tunnels
Los Campesinos! Swanton Bombs, Islet
Giddy (in a good way) Cardiff indiepopsters and friends

Tickets for these shows can be found (and indeed purchased) at One Up Records or Ticketweb

So, that’s just for starters, I’ll stop there for now. February and March are looking particularly tasty, but more of that later. Hopefully some of your wee appetites have been well-whetted, it’s safe to say that we’ll be covering some of these more in-depth nearer their respective dates too…

In the meantime, feel free to plug your own upcoming shows/clubs in the comments below, or complain about how it’s ‘a bit heavy on the indie’.  I am aware of this.  We’re looking for people who can cover the metal/club scenes in particular, so get in touch if you can help…

One of the most interesting music festivals in the country kicks off tonight right on your doorstep (assuming you’re reading this in the Aberdeen area, obviously).

Until the 22nd of November, a frighteningly impressive programme of concerts, talks and workshops encompassing everything from experimental, contemporary and good old-fashioned indie guitar music through dance and children’s shows to symphony orchestras and film takes place across the North-East.  Stay tuned to The Kiosque for our picks throughout the festival’s run.

Tonight’s opening concert looks like it will set down a pretty good marker:  The contemporary Pianocircus ensemble have been wowing audiences since 1989 with six keyboards, sixty fingers, split-second timing and a stunning repertoire,  add in the iconic Beach Ballroom factor and you’re looking at something pretty special indeed…

Sound Festival website

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAoAHjnVNAg]

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