The Duke Spirit had made their way to Glasgow on a damp November night to take to the stage of the ABC2. Earlier in the year, the band had been in America recording their second album "Neptune" (due for release February 2008), and now, just four shows into their UK Tour, the band seemed comfortable on stage and happy to be back and performing on their own soil. This skilled English five piece provided their fans with a steaming hot show in promotion of their "Ex Voto" EP.
Those soulful and seductive vocals of Leila Moss, coupled with the captivating thumps and thuds of Olly "The Kid" Betts drums resulted in a smooth groove that had the audience swaying back and forth in harmony throughout their set especially in their second song "The Step and the Walk". Throw in some faster guitar riffs and a synthesizer and their music elevates itself to an upbeat rock sound that grasps the willing and tosses you into a bouncy head swinging mess. "Lassoo" certainly did anyway. After some songs from the latest EP and a sneak preview of songs from the new album, Moss announced "Now, let's do some older stuff!" and the band kicked into "Red Weather" and the magnetic "Love is an Unfamiliar Name" from their debut album, "Cuts Across The Land". However, we had to wait until the final song of the encore before we finally got to hear the band perform a hearty and uncompromising performance of the title track of the aforementioned album.
Leila Moss and company proved that their live shows and unmistakable sound have only been polished and more improved by a couple years of touring experience. If cream does indeed rise to the top, this band will definitely continue to climb above the competition and will always be welcome in Glasgow.