The View @ the Crocodile, 2/28
Show Review & Photos by Dagmar

The View‘s Kyle Falconer

Approximately four songs into the View’s superb set on Thursday night in Seattle, a fan yelled, “Six years I’ve waited for this!” And the View’s answer? “So have we.”

You don’t know the View? Well that’s not really okay with me. See, back in 2007 the Scottish band was all set to play the States, including a date with Seattle’s the Crocodile. Then the tour was cancelled. There was some trouble from the law back in Britain with singer/guitarist Kyle Falconer. That was not okay with me either. Six years went by. Six years do not go by quickly, and yet they do in some ways. Visa issues kept Falconer out of the States until 2011; one of the first things he did was head to Nashville to write and record songs.

The View

After the View’s debut album, Hats Off to the Buskers, for some reason American press backed off the band. This was a mistake. With follow-up albums Which Bitch? and Bread and Circuses, the View showed fans the group was flexing its mighty muscles in several genres; indie, folk, punk, pop and rock. The View continued their British and worldwide success, with America still lagging. Last year, the band’s fourth album, Cheeky for a Reason came out on their newly joined label, Cooking Vinyl, reaching high spots – including a number one spot – on British charts. Now they’ve hit the States for their first North American tour, which started in Seattle.

I was really excited to see the View. You could say overwhelmed. The other people at the show were excited too. We knew the songs, and it was spectacular to see the band in person after only being able to see videos of their songs and performances. The band is singer/guitarist Falconer, bassist/singer Kieren Webster, guitarist Pete Reilly and drummer/singer Steven Morrison. Each of them displayed a serious yet enjoyable skill. No guitar pick for bassist Webster, who sang lead on “Skag Trendy” and “Hole in the Bed;” Reilly tackled his guitar; Falconer’s vocals and guitar work were just lovely. Drummer Morrison got onstage shirtless, heavily tattooed (one you can see in the photos says Made in Lochee) got down to business and played really primal drums. “Skag Trendy” especially sounded good live. Also, Morrison sang quite a lot more back up than I expected. So he’s quite busy.

The View

The 20-song set list had a strong showing from the new album and songs off Hats Off to the Buskers, which has become a classic to fans. As the View’s songs moved from gentle and moving, e.g. “The Clock,” “Grace,” to tougher, “Sour Little Sweetie,” “Wasteland,” all received awesome receptions – that just does not happen at every show. There’s usually one two songs where the audience shuts down. Not at a View show.

I got what I wanted – a spectacular show by the View. I could grumble about what songs I’d also liked to have heard, but that would be silly. I have faith the View will return. Also? They’re stunning photo subjects.

The View

More Photos of the View @ the Crocodile

Set list:

Wasted Little DJs
Grace
AB
The Clock
Wasteland
Bunker
Underneath the Lights
Tragic Magic
Skag Trendy
Hole in the Bed
Realisation
Bullet
Face for the Radio
How Long
Sour Little Sweetie
Same Jeans
Superstar Tradesman
Sunday
Shock Horror

Set list by album:

Hats Off to the Buskers
Superstar Tradesman
Wasted Little DJs
Skag Trendy
Face for the Radio
Wasteland
Same Jeans

Which Bitch?
Shock Horror
Realisation

Bread and Circuses
Grace
Underneath the Lights
Sunday
Tragic Magic

Cheeky for a Reason
How Long
Bullet
Bunker
The Clock
Hole in the Bed
Sour Little Sweetie
AB