A guest posting by flimflamfan
After three unsuccessful attempts (London twice and Madrid) I, at last, saw the reformed Heavenly grace the live stage at Glas-Goes Pop.
Even this gig-going venture was not without its drama. It was only on the morning of the gig that I realised I couldn’t find my ticket. I wasn’t even sure I could attend, but the mystery of the alleged ticket purchase proved to be unsolvable and vexatious. I couldn’t believe it.
I decided to ask some folk ‘I know’ if they could assist but that proved fruitless. Lastly, I posted my plight on Twitter (yes, Twitter – X? Tsk!) a way of letting go of some frustration – lo and behold, a very kind Twitter pal got in touch to say he couldn’t make it and that I could have his ticket – gratis. This was amazing, generous news that took the pressure off what would have been a really crap day searching emails for the elusive ticket. Conversely, it put the nicest possible pressure on me, as I now felt somewhat obliged to attend.
The band would be on stage at 10.30-ish. I live just a 20-minute walk away from the venue. At 9.30 I made my decision to attend.. Soon after I made my way to the venue to meet a good friend and another with whom I haven’t seen in decades.
I no sooner entered the building – only a few minutes really – before Heavenly was on stage. I found a corner and I stood in it. My friends joined me a few moments later.
I won’t attempt a setlist rundown. Suffice to say, from opening to close, this gig was a thing of beauty. All my cares? All my worries? Where had they gone? Please excuse the colourful language to follow – in that moment I couldn’t give a flying fuck. This level of joy, of otherworldliness – wrapped in the familiar of comfort – was a feeling I’ve not experienced in the longest time. My last gig was in July 2014 and while it had its moments, it was not the musical behemoth before me.
In a set peppered with ‘hits’ there were some rather lovely little nuggets too, all played with, on occasion, a wide-eyed exuberance that a 1976 punk band would be adored for. Alas, this is Heavenly and Heavenly doesn’t ‘do’ punk – except, of course, when it pummel-stomps you into the ground with just the slightest hint of pop sensibility.
As for the vocal harmonies… well, I’ll respond to those in the stereotypical heterosexual manner required – swoon!
Musically, Heavenly were as tight as a gnat’s chuff (as my granny used to say) albeit with one hiccup. We won’t mention the band member because that would be bass- shaming ;- )
Honestly, how can a band be so incredibly together yet still having that wonderful sense of punk-ramshackle. It, at times, feels like a house of cards – and as an observer you’re watching to see which card topples first. It never happens. The house of cards is solid – possibly evo-sticked (look it up kidz).
Does the band project that sense of potential-shamble onto us, the audience, or do we project that onto them? Either way there seems to be some band-wide sleight of hand that makes Heavenly’s presence on stage all the more magical.
Heavenly live is a tour de force. If ever you feel to need to enquire of yourself “what of significance happened after punk?” The answer is this. This, that went on to spawn not just riot grrrl but oh so many differing variations of pop-political noise and just count ‘em records labels all acknowledging a debt.
infectious and energising – a cohesive coming together of people who like music – band and fans. What’s not to like?
Heavenly has to work harder than most due largely to a historical hostile music press that didn’t have the intelligence to quite understand, or the interest to explore, what the band were singing about nor their noise-nick cannon of songs. It was lazy, male dominated journalism that languishes unread in history.
As Heavenly announced the last song of the night I was all but sure it would be….
It was.
A guest vocalist was invited onto the stage and I admit I gave a little internal wince. Bang! What an encore. A fan on stage singing one of the most popular of songs and I believe the term is ‘owned it’. There was so much fun on that stage it was infectious and energising – a cohesive coming together of people who like music – band and fans. What’s not to like?
Heavenly? It was. They always will be.
mp3: Heavenly – C Is The Heavenly Option
© photo courtesy of Glas-Goes Pop
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
I was fortunate enough to travel to New York this summer especially to see Heavenly. I saw them play three times in two days and I have to say, that life-affirming is certainly a phrase that I would use for the experience.
I’m so glad that you managed to get out to see them play. Music is the drug that keeps us all going.
Darren 157
What a splendid piece of writing, and it precisely summarises the experience I too had. You’re right about the sleight of hand: in the best possible way it could have been their first gig or their thousand-and-first. A lovely show, in a super venue, and with zero hassles.
Strangeways