The Comedy Stops Here

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Review

Amplifico

Well, here we are again. Another Amplifico gig, and another chance to remind ourselves why we all fell in love with this band in the first place. In a local scene crowded with average garage rock bands and rubbish acoustic strummers, they have always stood out like a sore thumb. With their genre hopping songs—think PJ Harvey does jazz and you're still miles off—and their dazzling frontwoman Donna Macocia, it's not hard to understand why.

If you've ever drunk in Teviot, the Wee Red Bar, or even Biblos, then chances are you will have caught at least a glimpse of an Amplifico live set. This band have gigged relentlessly over the past four years, building themselves a large fanbase in the process. Despite blowing away crowds all over the country and picking up celebrity endorsements by the dozen, record company interest has not been forthcoming. Not that the band have let this minor setback stand in their way. Tonight, Amplifico are launching their long-awaited debut album, released on their own label. Judging by the legions of adoring fans packed into Ego, some of whom have traveled all the way from the States just to be here, it's not before time.

Providing support this evening are Aberfeldy, who perhaps have been brought in to act as a reassurance that an Edinburgh group can indeed get noticed by the wider public. Their unremarkable set passes by quickly, before anyone in the crowd has the chance to notice they have had yet another lineup change, and have seemingly all but abandoned the cutesy twee pop that made them famous in favour of rather uninspiring soft rock.

But on to the main event. Amplifico emerge to rapturous cheers, grinning wildly and waving to their respective assembled families. Perhaps its their presence that explains the band's apparent nervousness, or maybe it's due to the crap PA system. Either way, this isn't Amplifico's greatest gig. The tunes are still there, but the performance is lacking that certain something. We can forgive them for that however. Tonight, the gig itself doesn't matter, it's what this event represents that does. After years of false starts, Amplifico have finally hit the ground running. You can't help admiring their dogged resilience; their sheer determination to share the fruits of their creative labour. Set closer 'The Comedy Stops Here' is an apt choice; for Amplifico, the real work begins here.

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