The Vintage Caravan Live Classic grand – hold tight pr

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

The Vintage Caravan are a retro – fuelled prog – rock trio from Alftanes, Iceland who originally formed in 2006. In this time the 12 year old school friends formed the band and within 2 years they had self published their eponymous first album. The boys have played Wacken Open Air, Hard Rock Hell, Roadburn Festival, the boys have given us 5 studio albums and recently dropped album no 6 Portals upon us, to showcase this electrifying new slab of psychedelic, prog offering has the boys hitting the road in support of this killer piece of rock n roll, tonight they stop off in Glasgow @ Classic Grand on the last night of this killer tour. The place is packed and we are all looking forward to a real sludgy, rock night of epic proportions as the lights dim and the noise fades from the house PA, the boys emerge from the dressing room and step onto the hallowed stage like 3 gladiators ready for battle, they bellow out hello Glasgow which gets us all fired up as the boys thank us for coming out and launch into –

Philosopher – The stage is set as the intro music oozes into the venue as a sweet, mellow guitar lick eases towards us as the boys stick in their inner – ear monitors as Stefan gets ready to kick into action as this roaring beast erupts and lets Oskar cut loose with his colossal guitar riffs that are backed by Alexander bringing the low end to us tonight as this thundering beast brings a smile to our faces as the place sings along to this real infectious number. The subtle bouncing arrangement is letting Oskar deliver dark , brooding vocals that wrap themselves around this incredible opening number as the place is just bouncing as the boys shift through the gears and really deliver a no nonsense piece that has us fixed on the stage. The rhythm section is commanding the room with it’s pounding snare drum kicks as the drums fill every corner of the venue as we slip into –

Portal I – There is a nice,mellow haunting reverb sound flowing through the intro as the sound wanders freely and brings in a stringed tone that just grabs your attention as we get into –

Days Go By – Oskar steps forward and gets this rousing monster off the ground as a galloping guitar riff gets the track off the ground as the low end drops in and gives us a real sludgy, dark, brooding groove that lets the track grow. The thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors and gives us solid snare drum punches that really control the direction of this colossal beast, the vocals come in and have a gravelly, bluesy tone that lets the track build as the shredding guitar licks work well with the real heavy funking bassline that is working furiously as the place is feeling the heat from this killer trio as they drop epic sounds on the fine people of Glasgow tonight as we just get to grips with exciting outfit who have brought the heat tonight as they drive their juggernaut right through the Classic Grand tonight, the boys thank us for coming out and making them feel welcome as we stroll into –

Reflections – Oskar strums lightly on his guitar as a cool, meaty bassline joins the party as the track erupts into life with ease as the rhythm section comes alive with a pounding beat. The boys are certainly bringing the tempo tonight as the track comes at us with haunting, melodic vocals that really wrap themselves around this crunching beast as the boys dig deep and hit us with a solid wall of sound that takes us on the journey as they deliver a sonic, visually stunning arrangement that get the juices flowing through Glasgow tonight as the snare drum punches rain down on us. The tempo is a dark, brooding bassline that is hitting us hard and fast as we feel the energy pouring from the stage as Oskar steps forward and really shreds with ease as the rasping guitar licks smack us straight in the face as we catch our breath and walk into –

Can’t Get You Off My Mind – This is a rumbling beast that just erupts with a sludgy guitar riff that has a pounding rhythm section for company as Stefan brings the heat with subtle snare drum beats that let the track grow. A full on bassline drops in and delivers a cool, funking, deep rumbling tone that tells us that the boys are here to deliver rock n roll and boy do they deliver, the smooth, melodic vocals are weaving their way through the track as Alexander joins in with his deep grooving backing vocals that really let the track do it’s thing. The funky, full on grooves that are oozing from the drums really lets this track deliver a galloping, cool, melodic guitar lick that gets the place jumping around and throwing their fists in the air and letting these boys know we are here to rock n roll as we move into –

Current – Oskar gets the track on the road as he steps forward and hits us with a cool, haunting, mellow guitar pick that allows him to offer up his soulful vocals to get the track moving. A dark, meaty bassline is handing us a cool, funk laden tone as the rhythm section kicks in the doors and brings snare drum punches and cymbal crashes that let the track open and soar as the boys settle into their groove and hit us hard. The boys are just on the money as they give us a gig full of thundering beats, shredding guitars and a delicious full on bassline that instantly settles the track into a cool thred that is bubbling under the surface as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as the tempo builds and builds with ease, a colossal guitar lick is weaving it’s way through the track as the snare drum beats hit us with real force as the funking bassline drops in and really gives the track depth, swagger and bags of attitude as we flow effortlessly in to –

Riot – I take Oskar’s jacket as he is getting ready to take the roof off of The Classic Grand tonight as we get a thundering bassline that really shakes the place with it’s soaring beats that let the track open. A galloping guitar riff hits us with sheer force as the boys bring a foot stomping, no nonsense track that lets the rhythm section leave it’s mark with a snare drum beat that lets the cymbal crashes rain down on us as we let the boys give us a real sludgy, rasping beast that is delivering cool, monster grooves that lets Oskar lean in and hit us with his gravelly, soulful, melodic vocals that just let the track wrap itself around us with ease. The tempo changes pace a little as a dark, delicious bassline hits us with sheer power grooves that work so well through the whole track as we move onto –

Let Me Be – Oskar steps forward and lets rip on his guitar with a real psychedelic guitar riff that brings the boys into play as a cool, funk laden bassline delivers a dark tone that fits the track perfectly. The soaring vocals are weaving their way through the track as the rhythm section offloads with a pounding beat that gives the track a meaty groove as the boys shift through the gears and just punch us straight in the face with their energy driven songs that put a smile on your face, a slick, crisp guitar solo offloads and really lets us have it as Stefan brings the heat with a rousing snare drum roll that just grabs our attention as the boys really know how to put on a show with an array of sounds, beats and sludgy riffs that are just outstanding let me tell you, the boys are thanking us as they tell us that it is good to be in Glasgow finishing off the tour which brings a huge cheer from this swelling crowd as the boys ask us ‘ are we ready to party ‘ we holler back hell yeah as Oskar takes us onto –

Expand Your Mind – Stefan leans in with a thundering drum solo that sets the scene for this sludgy, funk laden track that comes armed with a full on bassline that is dropping power driven grooves that let us know that these boys mean business. The snare drum punches bring in cymbal crashes that let the track grow as Oskar leans in and hits us with his mellow, gravelly vocals that allow this track to deliver a thundering, funk laden beat that has us stamping our feet and feeling the groove wrap itself around us as this prog rock monster really gives the boys passage to hit us with whatever they want as the trio rock out and give us a real delicious, dark, meaty bassline this is just taking the roof off Classic Grand tonight. The slick, sizzling guitar work is just extrordinary as we feel the heat oozing from the stage as these 3 boys dig deep and drop a colossal guitar solo upon us that really pops as the boys work hard and just punch us straight in the face with their sizzling, swagger laden licks that let the cymbal crashes rain down on us as we head into –

Crystallized – A soft, mellow groove oozes from the stage as the snare drum beats flow from the back of the room as this sludgy groover comes at us. The track erupts with a furious riff that is wrapped in a dark, moody bassline that works well with the whole arrangement as Oskar leans in and brings his unmistakeable vocals that deliver a soaring tone that let the place come to life as the trio tell their own story as we feel the melodies washing over us and really feel blessed to be here tonight as this exciting band just peels back the layers and gives us a dark, melodic, prog themed track that hits us with a rousing guitar lick that is giving us chills as the boys drop the hammer and shift through the gears as the solo ripples and builds . The funking bassline is working hard and hitting us with a real slick, dark groove that works well in this monster track that is just a pure celebration, next –

Crossroads – The dark intro ripples through the venue as we await the track to erupt into life as the soothing piano tones let this beast break free and really sock it to us. The rhythm section is hitting us with a solid snare / bass kick as the cymbal snaps control the direction of this haunting monster as the mellow vocals leave their mark on this epic piece. The funking, full on, delicious bassline is delivering a cool, deep funk that works well with this enthralling arrangement as the boys just hit us with a deep, soaring beat that lets Oskar bring a nice, soulful vocal that flows beautifully through the track as the crowd sing along and feel the electricity wandering through the track as we nod our heads and feel the psychedelic tones drop on us from a great height as we shuffle towards the business end of the show as we roll into –

Here You Come Again – The crunching track bursts into life as the rasping guitar licks are flowing alongside a cowbell thumping rhythm section that brings snare drum beats that just take the doors clean off. The dark, delicious bassline is wrapping itself around us as the tone works so well with the composition as the crowd sing along to the crunching track that is a fist pumping rock n roll bruiser, Oskar lets his soaring, melodic vocals lead the charge as the boys hit the gas and really take us along for the ride. The place is just rocking as these 3 boys get us clapping and cheering as the cool, meaty bassline holds court as Oskar leads the vocal charge as Stefan brings the groove with a punchy snare drum roll that wanders into an awesome drum crunch that builds and builds as the boys dig deep and really bring us what we wanted tonight, a solid, punchy, rasping gig that will have us talking about this for a long time to come that’s for sure, we stroll into crowd favourite –

Babylon – A furious guitar lick rolls from the intro as the rhythm section commands the room with a thundering cymbal crash that brings snare drum beats as they wander freely into the venue. The cool, meaty bassline is dropping epic funk grooves that allow this haunting beast the room it needs to grow and grow it does, the vocals are coming for us with a real rasping tone that really lets the boys bring us a killer show that is full of scintilating lick, thundering beats and delicious low end grooves that just puts a smile on our faces as these boys just keep bringing the heat as they ask us to join in with the chorus and we dult oblige as Oskar lets rip with a colossal solo that runs furiously alongside a cool, punchy rhythm section that is dropping killer cymbal crashes all over us as the place goes nuts as we stride into –

On The Run – Oskar leads the way to the track as he dedicates the track to some fans that came all the way from Ireland to see the boys in action, there is a loud clapping coming from the crowd as the bass kicks ease into the track as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as this monster rears it’s head and lets the music drive onwards. A meaty bassline is coming through and it drops epic, funk laden noodles that just take the track to another level as the boys kick it up a notch as we feel the energy, emotion oozing from the stage as the crunching groove has us stamping our feet to this colossal psychedelic groover track that is letting the crowd bellow back Living On The Run which is just a cool sight to see as we come to the last track of the evening, or so we think –

Crazy Horses – Stefan brings the noise as he begins a thundering solo with bass kicks and snare drum punches that lets the cowbell ring out as this shuddering monster comes to life. The vocals are bringing a real haunting tone to the venue as the bass kicks flow freely through the track as the shredding guitar riffs erupt into the air as the boys rock out and just leave us wanting more, the full on bassline is demanding our attention as we feel the energy pouring from the stage as the boys dig deep and tell their story through their electrifying music that has been a pleasure to watch and review. The boys leave the stage to rapturous applause as we bellow out one more song, one more song and guess what -Midnight Meditation – The track oozes towards us as the pounding snare drum punches rain down on us as this foot stomping bruiser opens and really socks it to us. The gravelly vocals are leading the charge as they have the company of slick, clean guitar riffs that work well with the thundering rhythm section that is flowing freely through the track tonight, the dark, meaty bassline is delivering a no nonsense groove that just puts a smile on your face with it’s direct, meaty tone that is rolling through the track as the boys get ready to bring the heat with this fast, furious rock n roller that just grabs our attention for sure, these boys have put on one hell of a show let me tell you just incredible and I hope it’s not too long till they are back on our shores.

The Vintage Caravan –

Oskar Logi Agustsson – Vocals / Guitar

Alexander Orn Numason – Bass / Backing Vocals

Stefan Ari Stefansson – Drums / Backing Vocals

Setlist –

Philosopher

Portal I

Days Go By

Reflections

Can’t Get You Off My Mind

Current

Riot