Tonight’s set was short… almost frustratingly so… six songs in 30 minutes, but my oh my, what a beautiful 30 minutes it was.

It is Valentine’s night, and the Mono stage is bathed in blue light. Keeley collect themselves, form a Celtic-esque huddle, and then deliver a red-hot set, mainly of new songs that make the prospect of a third album so exciting. The yet-to-be-recorded songs are more direct and pure new wave than the more textural, dream pop, shoegaze vibe that you may be more familiar with. But it’s early days, and I cannot wait to hear how the finished articles will sound.

This is by no means the first time that Keeley have played in Glasgow, and tonight sees them at their most confident. Keeley Moss (vocals/guitar) commands the stage, whilst Luke (bass) and Andrew (drums) provide a rhythmic backbone from which to soar. Having toured with the likes of Terrorvision, Miki Berenyi Trio, and Desperate Journalist, this dynamic and forward-forging ethic sees Keeley gather a continually growing fanbase that will only get bigger and bigger. Tonight sees Luke wearing a My Bloody Valentine ‘Loveless’ T-shirt. Genius!

Keeley are fantastic tonight, but it is all over in the blink of an eye. In retrospect, it may be good to leave people wanting more. Can’t wait!

It should be said that all of the songs written are specifically about Inga Maria Hauser, a young German woman whose murder in Northern Ireland remains unsolved. This tragic event is covered with such respect and passion that I urge you to listen to the songs in greater depth, as well as checking out the documentary Inga Maria Hauser: Who Killed Her? Murder in the Badlands.

The Boo Radleys come from a part of the world that has undoubtedly had more than its fair share of incredible songwriters, and tonight we are presented with wonderful moments from the albums Wake Up! and C’mon Kids. Crafting some of the 1990s’ most memorable and enduring songs, The Boos thankfully reformed in 2020/21, and the now five-piece band seem genuinely happy and excited to be playing in Glasgow. The ever-smiling Sice banters with a hugely receptive audience that is eager to lap up each moment. Many of us here have seen The Boos before… maybe decades ago or maybe more recently at Hug and Pint. The 17-or-so song set is so refreshingly delivered that even well-known anthems such as Wake Up Boo! sound revived and current… almost new.

It is now strange to think that C’mon Kids was regarded as an almost self-sabotaging exercise by critics of the time and that the band were somehow trying to alienate their fanbase. The test of time has proved that the band were right all along and their doubters wrong. The songs are elegantly crafted and timeless. Some fan-favourite tracks may have been missing from tonight’s set, but to no ill effect—the quality of songs played and the verve with which they are delivered make the well over one-hour set a joy to behold.

The fact that it is Valentine’s Day hasn’t gone unnoticed, and there are comical exchanges regarding partners that may have been dragged to the gig… willingly or unwillingly.

No one seems to know, and I completely forgot to mention that just over the river from Mono at the Blessed St John Duns Scotus RC Church, there is a casket on display in the entrance, and within that casket, there are relics attributed to Corpus Valentini Martyris—St Valentine. Synergy.

I’m glad that The Boo Radleys are back. Pure 1990s pop at its shimmering best in the 21st century.

Words: NICK TAMMER

Images: Chris Hogge