FOE - King Tut's, Glasgow - 2nd October 2011

FOE: the musical project of one Hannah Clark; the one woman hurricane who has stolen our hearts with her unique musical sensibilities made her first venture north of the border on this latest UK tour.

It’s perhaps a symbol of just how formidable a reputation the band have garnered - even before they set foot on a stage together - that they made their Scottish debut at none other than King Tut’s. Most bands that fall into the SlashTheSeats sphere spend months, and even years traipsing round smaller bars and clubs in ramshackle vans before they get anywhere near the notable Glaswegian venue.

Saying that, the amount of noise being generated in the alternative music press didn’t translate into paying gig-goers on the night. It’s a personal, perpetual frustration to be aware of some of the most exciting, creative artists around, yet see how few people know, or even care who they are.

There was a wonderful juxtaposition of FOE with the earlier local support which summed the whole thing up rather beautifully. Whilst the latter had a leggy blonde front-girl who was clad in a tight, leopard print dress, Hannah slinked onto the stage in a completely unassuming manner, wearing a loose oversized black top and trousers. With little pomp or ceremony, the band set about doing their thing.

It was always going to be interesting to see how the blips and pops and other samples that make up the on-record sound translated into the live setting, but translate they did, without feeling clumsy at any point. Rather impressive. If anything, in person the sound was bigger and grungier, with the members bouncing around the stage with a confident, yet unobtrusive energy.

Along with the EP tracks we know and love (Tyrant Song being even more brilliant in person), there was a smattering of new ones that I’d never heard before. Hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later before we get to have them on record, and before FOE make the journey back to Scotland again.