In the reverberating echoes of Scotland’s landscape, where the winds carry tales of the past, The View stands as a resonant force, their sonic narrative etched with Kyle Falconer’s distinctive brogue. Their journey began in 2006, a tempest brewing in Dundee, as the quartet—Falconer, Webster, Reilly, and Morrison—converged in the musical crucible of their native city. Starting as a cover band in a local pub, they evolved into a symphony of their own creation.
Two Thumbs, Dundee’s independent label, embraced their talent, birthing an eponymous EP in March 2006. The resonance extended beyond local venues, capturing the attention of BBC Radio 1 and 2. The Reading and Leeds Festival catapulted them into the spotlight, a prelude to their seismic impact. 1965 Records, home to acts like The Strokes, welcomed them, and the international release of “Hats Off to the Buskers” in 2007 confidently topped the U.K. charts.
Their sophomore opus, “Which Bitch?” in 2009, showcased a more ambitious sound. Singles like “5Rebeccas,” “Shock Horror,” and “Temptation Dice” propelled The View to the zenith of the U.K. Albums chart. Tours, including the Isle of Wight Festival, underscored their sonic conquest.
2011 ushered in “Bread and Circuses,” produced by Youth. “Grace” and “Sunday” heralded their sonic tapestry, the latter finding a place on the Cutting Corners EP. The 2012 release, “Cheeky for a Reason,” featuring “How Long,” “The Clock,” and “Tacky Tattoo,” ascended once again to the Top Ten in the U.K., claiming Scotland’s throne.
“Seven Year Setlist” unfolded in 2013, a live compilation of fervent favorites. In 2015, a new chapter beckoned with Albert Hammond, Jr. and Gus Oberg in the studio for “Ropewalk.” Delayed until September due to Falconer’s illness, “Marriage” etched its place at 21 on the U.K. charts.
February 2017 marked a decade with a six-night serenade at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. An undercurrent of change stirred as Falconer prepared for his solo debut, signaling a five-year hiatus. In 2023, “Exorcism of Youth” marked a revival. Youth crafted a symphony, Morrison took a different path, and Jay Sharrock stepped into the rhythmic tapestry. “Feels Like” became the sonic herald, debuting at number six on the U.K. Albums chart, reclaiming Scotland’s throne.
The View’s saga, an odyssey of peaks and pauses, resonates as a testament to the enduring spirit of rock. In Falconer’s puckish brogue, their melodic journey unfolds—a symphony echoing through ages, leaving indelible imprints on daring hearts.
Amidst the deluge of a damp and gusty Thursday eve, The View took the helm at The Marble Factory, greeted by a fervent congregation eager to bask in the sonic reminiscence of their youth, a nostalgic sojourn to the band’s embryonic days back in the unruly year of 2006. As the stage embraced their presence, an exuberant crowd erupted into a harmonious chant, proclaiming, “The View, the view are on fire,” setting ablaze an atmosphere charged with anticipation—an electric communion witnessed with unabashed delight by the band.
In the spotlight’s glare, lead maestro and lyricist Kyle Falconer, true to the raw ethos of the band’s genesis, unleashed a vocal odyssey unbridled and evocative. His soulful renditions carried echoes of bygone days, a poignant reminder of the fervor that birthed The View. In tandem, the rhythmic backbone, Kieren Webster on bass and Pete Reilly wielding the lead guitar, orchestrated a blistering performance—a testament to their unwavering musical finesse.
The audience, predominantly composed of the seasoned denizens of yesteryear, reveled in every sonic nuance, passionately entwining their voices with each lyric, a shared hymn echoing through the venue’s air. A manifestation of unbridled euphoria took hold, with some revelers hoisted upon the shoulders of their peers, an exuberant ballet of elation. The venue, while not witnessing a complete occupancy, pulsated with the illusory magnitude of a sold-out spectacle, a testament to the vocal fervor and dynamic energy coursing through the crowd’s veins. The Marble Factory, on this tempestuous evening, became a sonic crucible, forging moments of reminiscence and collective exultation.
📝📸 Darren Clarke
