Gig Review: Bloodywood – Garage, Glasgow (26th March 2023)

It’s not often I get to go to a gig on a Sunday night, but after numerous delays due to Covid and other stuff it was finally time to see Bloodywood tentatively take their first step into Scotland. Upgraded from The Cathouse to the larger Garage venue, the delay may have benefited the band in the long run.

At 7pm, the queue was running along Sauchiehall Street, and once inside most of them seemed to be queueing again for the merch. I was one of them, and as a result I only got to hear local support North Atlas from afar. My apologies to the trio, who were lovely when they came down to sell their own gear. I will do my best to catch you next time I see you listed nearby!

Lake Malice © Bracken Hake
Lake Malice © Bracken Hake

The other support, Lake Malice, were unfortunately not able to play as Alice has been really ill and already pushed it a bit too far on earlier tour dates. All the best to her, and we hope to catch up with them sometime in the future. I know quite a few people were looking forward to seeing them so there is definitely an audience!

Bloodywood arrived on stage to a huge roar from the expectant capacity crowd. Tonight’s set wasn’t to be a long one, but it was certainly going to be packed. Bloodywood have nailed that “keep it simply, keep it catchy” vibe and the place was bouncing by the time they were half a riff into “Gaddarr”. With six members, the small Garage stage was packed as the two frontmen traded vocals and wound up the crowd. Apologies to main man and guitarist Karan who I’d said in the interview earlier often seemed to take a step back from the limelight, as he was absolutely banging it this evening. He did say that it’s often due to the small stages so the singers are usually at the front, understandably, so he’s not often given the chance to let loose. Perhaps our chat earlier encouraged him to make a point! I’ll take it…

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The Glasgow crowd treated Bloodywood to their first experience of the traditional “Here we fucking go” chant (and a second, and a third, and…), and the joy on their faces was priceless. It also slowed the show up a bit as they revelled in it. In fairness it’s rude to interrupt someone when they’re talking and both Jayant and Raoul seemed to think that the audience would stop. Not tonight, not to a band they’ve hung onto tickets for two years to see.

Bloodywood © Bracken Hake
Bloodywood © Bracken Hake

For those who know the band, the between song banter is predictable but still as relevant and heartening as ever. The ethos behind the band is one of positivity, acceptance and fighting back against all that is bad in this world. Whether that’s sexual abusers, depression, the corrupt press… Bloodywood want it to end, and they want you to fight for that end. And in the meantime bounce, mosh and crowdsurf to some cracking Indian-fused heavy metal.

The band’s two biggest tracks – “Machi Bhasad” and “Ari Ari” – were saved for the end, including a trip into the audience for Jayant and the touring dhol player, Sarthak (I hope I have his name correct). But there was time for one more… and we got an encore in the original sense of the word. Back to the start of the set with a ramped-up version of “Gadaar” which the now warmed-up audience went even more nuts to.

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Given that they only have the one album, it’s fine for Bloodywood to have ended after an hour. To add more, they’d have to either play the entire thing or start putting in cover versions. I’ve seen this before when The Darkness were (madly) headlining Leeds Festival on the strength of Permission To Land. They were great, but the set was a car crash padded with unfinished new material and a handful of cover versions to somehow keep them on stage for 90 minutes. Tonight was better. Enough to sate the fans and leave them wanting more. Despite their deep messages, everyone I saw walking out had a smile on their face. As it should be. Realise there are issues to deal with, but be happy and confident that we can take them on.

Album two is in the works and will hopefully be out within the next 12 months. Which means next time… next time, we should get a longer show for all the right reasons!

Photos by Kraken Photography

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