Support – Wild Fire & Eld Varg
Venue – MacArts, Galashiels
When – Saturday 22nd June 24
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
MacArts, Galashiels in the Scottish Borders is a fantastic live music venue catering for all musical tastes. It is an old church just off the main street and has amazing acoustics in the hall that can hold around 300 people.
I am very happy to say that more and more rock bands are putting the venue on their list as a place to play, as they gig up and down the country. This weekend was the first time for Tailgunner, a five-piece heavy metal band to play the venue.
Eld Varg
First band on were Glasgow based Eld Varg (meaning Fire Wolf in Swedish) a heavy metal band who had attracted a great crowd at the start of the night. This was the first tour for the guys, and one that they were very happy to undertake. They’ve remastered and released their album ‘One Man Army’ which features some great tracks, showing off some impressive guitar riffs and strong vocals. Tonight, they played five songs from this album, starting with an instrumental that showcased their musical talent and energy before launching into the rest of their set which went down a treat.
Set List
And So It Begins….
To The Beyond
Vulcan’s Hammer
Iron Cobra
Wolfpack
Website https://www.eldvarg.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eldvargofficial
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eldvargofficial?igsh=dXY2cDJhM3VyZGJl
Wild Fire
The second band of the night was local band Wild Fire a four-piece band full of melodic metal with gritty music and lyrics. They took to the stage to a loud cheer, immediately winning over the crowd. Showcasing three of the songs from their newly
released EP, ‘Rapture’, which see the band produce a slightly heavier sound, they stormed through one song after another with each song being met with cheers and applause. The crowd eagerly joined in to the chorus to one of their earlier released tracks, ‘Stronger’, creating a heightened atmosphere in the room. Wild Fire know how to draw the crowd in and finished with their rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” The entire venue erupted as the audience sang along with Mikey, creating a powerful and unified performance. The band applauded the crowd for their spirited participation which made for a memorable end to their show, further cementing their strong local following.
The guys are having a special show to celebrate the launch of the Rapture EP on the 29th June at 7pm at the Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, so try and get along to that to celebrate with them.
Set List
Against the Tide
Blackened Heart
Scattered
Stronger
War Pigs
Website: https://wildfirescotland.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WildFireScot
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildfirescotland_?igsh=bWtubmdrNmk4dXI1
Tailgunner
And now for the headliners. Tailgunner have been touring tirelessly with their ‘Guns For Hire’ tour, hitting 12 countries so far this year, now that’s dedication for you. Tonight, they have attracted a diverse audience, ranging from original heavy metal enthusiasts to young teenagers experiencing their first live show.
The band exploded onto the stage after there intro music, they were fully charged and ready to deliver an unforgettable performance to everyone present. There is no doubt that they have mastered their craft, seamlessly engaging the crowd, who eagerly absorbed the high-energy show.
Set List
(Zorba the Greek – Intro)
Guns for Hire
White Death
Beast of the Night
Warhead
Guitar Battle
Hall of the Mountain King
Painkiller
Blood for Blood
Revolution Scream
Shadows of War
Futures Lost
New Horizons
Crashdive
Rebirth
Don’t Talk to Strangers
The band’s setlist was a powerful mix, featuring all the tracks from their latest album, ‘Guns For Hire’, along with a few additional fan favourites. From the moment they began playing, the pace was relentless, keeping the audience fully immersed in the music. A special highlight of the evening was the band’s nod to their Scottish location, with their name boldly displayed on a Scottish saltire flag, a gesture that resonated deeply with the local fans.
With new drummer, Jani keeping the beat along with the rest of the band Rhea, Thomas, Craig and Zach they showcased their exceptional talent and made it look very easy.
A standout moment came during a guitar duel between Zach and Rhea halfway through the set. This display of technical skill and showmanship highlighted just how good they are and there were riffs aplenty for the crowd to enjoy and cheer. The atmosphere was fully charged as the band’s tight performance and dynamic stage presence ensured that everyone in attendance had an incredible night.
From start to finish, the gig was a testament to the band’s dedication and passion for their music and why they personally are taking on the task of putting heavy metal back in the limelight. Their ability to connect with the audience, regardless of age or background, underscores their appeal and the timeless nature of heavy metal. As the final notes rang out and the band took their bows, it was clear that the night had been a resounding success, leaving fans old and new eagerly anticipating their next performance.
Tailgunner have more dates in the diary this year so if you can, check them out.
Videos
Crash Dive https://youtu.be/Fl4ChWAZkGI?si=-HRXZaT_Hk-KpTYv
New Horizons https://youtu.be/z1BX84JAzR8?si=moaZY4XbtWhR0Urv
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tailgunnerhq
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tailgunnerhq?igsh=MWlxcTI2MzNkeWFscg==
Heavy metal is alive and kicking and in capable hands with these bands and I have no doubt that there are great times ahead for them and for all the metal heads out there who enjoy a live gig. As for the young lad who was at his first concert, I asked him if he had enjoyed it. The smile said everything, and it was a resounding yes from him. He had even managed to get a few autographs from the bands to take to school to brag about to his friends.
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