The French Wives – Me v Me Single Launch @ The Art School 14/05/2010

As a veteran follower of The French Wives it’s a real treat to open the doors to the Art School and find the place absolutely packed. In Glasgow the road to success is paved with gigs playing to five people in the 13th Note and mismatched support slots behind metal bands in Sleazys. For those talented enough and dogged enough to stick it out this is the reward – the release of a single and an evening to showcase it. As a result, gigs like this are a celebration of the survivors and a satisfying confirmation that they have what it takes.

As the lights go down we are treated to the outtakes from the fantastic promotional video (here) produced to promote the single and featuring the band fifty years into the future. Violinist Siobhan Anderson’s gran finally speaks directly to the crowd and welcomes the band on stage to wonderful effect. The tone of the video, with a sense of a humour and the ability not to take themselves too seriously, in many ways sums up the charm of The Wives and is a fitting introduction.

This is a set that most of the crowd have seen many times before but the sense of occasion brings a renewed appreciation and the atmosphere is terrific. Tight as ever and rising to the occasion, The Wives rip through Dogfight and Your Friends and Mine with the vigour and energy that we are all accustomed to. Confidence, one of the newest tracks, adds a different dimension and builds towards a sprawling conclusion infused with trombone and violin, a wonderful sound akin to Broken Social Scene when they take the breaks off.

With a song that befits the venue, a cover of Orange Juice’s Blue Boy is an unexpected addition to the set and a great conclusion to the night. Things end, quite naturally, with Me v Me and the single has all the punchy dance-ability that it has on record. It’s a great track that captures the essence of the band and an enormously effective three minute pop song. The Wives manage then to pull off a single launch with the same sense of enjoyment they seem to invest in everything they do. The night is a real success and the single is released on Monday 17th May and available through itunes. You should buy it you know.