MASON HILL LIVE AT LA BELLE ANGELE, EDINBURGH
Michael Fairbairn and John Scott find their way to witness Mason Hill at La Belle Angele in Edinburgh.
Words: Michael Fairbairn
Photos: John Scott
Tonight’s show promises to be something extra special, not least because it marks the final performance in support of Against The Wall, the debut album from Mason Hill, which was released in early 2021 and achieved a top 20 position in UK national charts and number one in the UK Rock and Metal charts. In fact, this feels like more of an event to celebrate the culmination of pretty much everything these guys have worked towards since the official inception of the band in 2015 and, as such, the atmosphere is tangible.
They’ve had an air of confidence about them since I first saw them a number of years ago but there is a different level of self-assuredness and hunger about the band members, who walk onto the stage as if they own it. They are greeted with a heroes’ welcome; a reaction that is evidently not lost on them, as they appear to be genuinely taken aback by the warmth and positivity. Beaming grins and knowing nods abound.
The headliners last played in Edinburgh four years ago and that gig was next door in the much smaller venue, The Mash House where the band were:”…dreaming of playing to a bigger crowd,” as frontman Scott Taylor reminisces. Several tours and a hugely successful campaign later, the longstanding believers are out in force with an audience swelled by many new followers.
All of their graft and a few hard knocks have clearly resulted in moulding the quintet into a true force to be reckoned with, as they dive head first into No Regret, the brooding statement of intent that also opens their album. There is absolutely no doubt they are all in their element and loving every minute of it; coming across like a band that has been together for many more years, evidenced by the firm grasp of their stagecraft. So much so, they are an incredibly tight unit while being entirely at ease and having a lot of fun with it to boot. They are comfortable enough to make jokes at their own expense and to take time to engage with the audience, which is endearing and refreshing to see. That’s not to say they aren’t taking this seriously, as they deliver the riff-heavy D.N.A like their collective lives depend on it. The crowd laps it up, hanging on every word, joining Scott for the uplifting, chant refrain of the chorus: “It’s only part of my D.N.A…”
While they acknowledge that the band originates from Glasgow and that meant playing in the Capital had once been something of a challenge, Marc Montgomery, the sole Edinburgh-born member of the lineup, who was the last to join and solidified the group on 2nd guitar, appears to be having the time of his life, as he gets a well-deserved introduction and an amazing reaction from his hometown crowd. Irrespective of their origins, there is an undeniable connection between the band and their fans that many artists could only ever hope to dream of. Given the quality of musicianship on display from each of the members, combined with such a flawless set of excellent songs, it’s no surprise they have developed a great reputation as a live band up and down the country. Matthew Ward and Craig McFetridge truly execute the role of rhythm section with focus and precision, occupying their positions perfectly on bass and drums, respectively, which allows James Bird to pepper proceedings with fantastic guitar leads and hook-laden melodic lines.
We get a departure from the album tracks in the form of an older, much-loved fan favourite with Now You See Me from their earlier EP, which is welcomed with open arms like some long-lost friend. Next up is an unexpected treat with the modern-rock stylings of brand new song Freakin’ Out. It’s a tantalising sneak peek of what’s to come on their sophomore album. We are reminded this performance will be the last time the setlist will focus on all of the songs from the band’s debut album and how grateful the members are for all of the love and support in helping them reach this milestone in their career. As the voice of the band, and what an amazing set of pipes this guy has, Scott makes sure we are fully aware of how much this all means to them. “We are nothing without you,” he says with no small amount of humility and genuine appreciation for helping them realise their dreams.
Their songs elevate them as true contenders though, especially with the heartfelt classic Where I Belong, which sees both Scott and James deliver impassioned performances that belie their relatively young years and would give any classic rock band a run for their money. The vocal is soaring and soulful, while the guitar playing is tasteful and sublime; the solo alone is quite something to behold. They round out their set with the singles Broken Son and the rousing title track of their album, finishing off with a powerful and faithful rendition of the Audioslave classic, Cochise.
Mason Hill may have got it all going for them and appear to be on the path to even bigger and better things. More power to them.
Setlist
Intro (Reborn)
No Regret
D.N.A.
Out of Reach
Hold On
Now You See Me
Freakin’Out (New song)
Who We Are
Find My Way
We Pray
Where I Belong
Broken Son
Against The Wall
Cochise (Audioslave cover)
