Record Store Day 2024 @ Europa Music Stirling.
Documenting the day, the live performances and taking a look at Stirling's music scene.
Record Store Day is a date that I always look out for.
Usually there's live performances at each of the independent record shops around me and normally I meet up with friends to go and check out what's happening.
This year I thought that the line-up at Europa Music in Stirling was the most interesting.
Europa will celebrate a half century of trading later this year. The original shop was in Alloa and there might have been a couple of moves before Ewan moved it to the Old Arcade in Stirling.
That was where I first crossed paths with them as it shared half the shop with a comic shop.
Later they moved to a larger unit in the Arcade until finally moving into the current premises in Friar St.
I have been to Europa before for Record Store Day but not for some time.
The layout was different.
Last time I was here there was a stage in front of the shop and a second stage in the space at the back behind the vinyl section. The largest in Scotland I should remind you.
It meant you had to walk back and forth through the shop to see each band.
The second stage from last time is now part of Unorthodox Roasters coffee shop next door.
They very kindly took part and allowed that space to be used. It created a constant stream of people walking into and out of their shop so maybe not a bad move?
On Friar St there were 2 stages this time. A larger one at the Baker St end and a smaller one on the raised garden outside Europa.
This setup made it more like a mini music festival and it involved a lot more of the shops on Friar St than before too.
The pubs at the top had their tables out. The tattoo place had a face painting stall, The kilt shops and Emporium all had something going on too.
The bands that were appearing were a good cross section of what’s happening musically in Stirling.
The day started off with Rick Redbeard.
He was off to play elsewhere afterwards so his set was both early and short.
Unfortunately it was so early that we missed most of it. I did catch a few songs including a Phantom Band number from Checkmate Savage.
It was interesting that he referred to them in the past tense before correcting himself. Does that mean we won’t see that band again?
Next up was Tom Houston from Tillicoultry. He played all original songs. Fun little slices of life and some alternative folk songs. Tom is one of the few on this bill that I did not know before going and I’m interested to hear some more.
Screaming from behind the buildings signalled that the next band were on. Thrown Away. With members from Edinburgh and Stirling and our pal Hamish up front.
They played what was possibly my highlight of the day. A song called ‘Streets of Stirling’.
Described by them as their ‘Oi’ song it had a chorus with lyrics that went along the lines of “AAAAAAH! Agro Agro, Streets of Stirling, Where’s the Police? AAAAAAHHH!!”
That song is a 100% accurate description of what it’s like to spend an extended amount of time in this part of town. Especially at weekends. I loved it.
Following them on the larger Friar St stage was Box O’Bananas. Stevie & Jock play gigs around here often. By this point there was a decent crowd and they did a very good job of getting the crowd involved and keeping them interested.
Last time I saw Jock was as a surprise guest of the Stranglers at the Usher Hall so it was fitting that they started off with a version of Golden Brown. Later they did a very good cover of Gogol Bordello’s ’Start Wearing Purple’ which got half the staff of Europa dancing and some good audience participation.
The Media Whores from Falkirk have played several of these over the years. With politically minded lyrics they offer great punk/post punk tunes and aesthetics.
It’s all 3 minutes and the truth.
The Baird & Winton Jazz Duo offered a nice change of pace. A sort of musical palate cleanser if you will. The tunes were all instrumental with a pair of acoustic guitars playing some melodic gypsy jazz feeling numbers.
I was really glad to see the next two performances. Firstly Andrew Wyper and then Sons of Regret (Alan Whitfield). Both could lazily be described as singer songwriters but they’re quite different.
I used to see them both all the time and it’s nice to see pals grow and develop their song writing. Both have digital releases to check for RSD24.
Paul and John of The Voodoo Hounds have hosted music things in Stirling for years. They still do.
Their new band plays kind of Funky Rock with little hints of Reggae. They played a mix of original songs and a few choice covers. By this point in the day the crowd was pretty big.
I always wonder if someone should go round with a hat for donations at moments like that. (I’d do it)
The record shop gets a bounce in sales. The local shops may have too. This day was also sponsored by Slanj-A-Va the pub on the Upper Craigs. There was to be an after party and djs there till late. They were very busy all day when we looked as were the other pubs like King Cons that also had live music on.
Everyone gets a boost apart from maybe the performers.
Constant Follower are probably the best known band performing on this bill. Apart from Mr Redbeard of course.
I really enjoyed their set even though it wasn’t the longest. With a 4 piece band they gave us a taste of some of their atmospheric experimental folk tunes.
Mr dB from Paisley closed the day by playing some indie rock anthems. Funnily enough I found them too loud to stand in front of to watch. Choosing a place out of the firing line of the speakers to watch instead.
I thought it was important for me to show some support to friends. I have a connection to almost everyone involved on this day.
I also want to highlight things that happen in the part of the world that I am from.
We are overlooked far too often.