Eclectic and enjoyable.
Saturday nights in any city will usually have a lot of attractions and potential diversions but it was perhaps unfortunate that Fields were up against Bloc Party, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Enemy amongst others in Glasgow. Fields can't really be lumped in with any of these bands, there are probably not too many bands they can be grouped with but it's all competition. Thankfully though, the stage times at Tuts enabled R13 to check out BRMC and Fields and although the crowd may have been sparse, there was no lack of quality or entertainment.
With the background of the band members being markedly different, there was certainly no cohesive on-stage look to their appearance. Fields excel in the bringing together different ideas and styles and their set showcased a breadth of song writing. Starting with some quick-fire drums and atmospheric layering, there was a lot going on and with the inclusion of some kraut-rock type noodlings as one of the intros, there was a lot to like on show.
Even though their album has just been released, there was the inclusion of an all-new track which elicited some cheers from the hardcore at the front but by the end seemed as assured and well received as any other track of the evening.
The vocals were mainly shared by Nick Peill whose yearning vocals matched his acoustic guitar, with Thorunn Antonia adding some cool edge to proceedings with her Nico-like delivery and stares whilst stabbing at the synth. Each member of the band manages to grasp attention in their own way though and there's a lot for the crowd to focus on.
'Songs For The Fields' was impressive with its crunching "you're not the only one" hook repeating and by the time the closing feedback had ebbed to its conclusion, it had been a hugely enjoyable night.