Inside Alfie Templeman’s intimate record store show in Glasgow
The songwriter proved an effortless performer while hitting Glasgow’s Assai Records.
Photo: Blacksocks
It was all smiles for indie pop’s Alfie Templeman when he hit up Glasgow’s buzziest record store Assai Records last week. Bringing his groove-laden sound to the independent store in honour of his triumphant second album Radiosoul, the London-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer flew through a 30-minute set of some his best work, to somehow make a sunny day in the Scottish city even sunnier.
Walking onto the much smaller stage than he’s used to, alongside fellow guitarist Jos Shepherd, Alfie made a few quick introductions before confessing they were “probably gonna butcher this a bit.” But, as you’d expect from such a mind-bogglingly talented musician, Alfie was his own worst critic. His face tending to give away the mistakes more than the audience’s ear.
Though that’s not to say there’s wasn’t a lyric forgotten or a note that was missed (which is honestly understandable given the fingerstyle gymnastics Alfie loves to add to a track), but that simply no one cared. The funk-infused wall of sound maintained its shining intensity throughout the entire set while the surprisingly (although shouldn’t really be surprising) crystal clear acoustics of Assai’s vinyl heaven helped to drench the small, crowded room in Alfie’s golden tones.
Opening his set with the sun-soaked sounds of Vultures and the more explorative Beckham, Alfie gradually loosened up the room of young fans who couldn’t help but smile in awe at their favourite musician, clearly a bit stunned to be so close. The singer-songwriter then swirled between the funky party starter Hello Lonely and the slightly older Wait, I Lied, not only earning a few cheers from the timid crowd, but also cementing his newfound sense of sonic maturity in what is best described as a joyously raw showcase of his ever ambitious, maximalist work.
Soon after, Switch’s change of pace served as a testament to the inner metronomes of the technically proficient pair who frequently shared looks like a couple of friends jamming at home, before Alfie finished off his set with fan favourites 3D Feeling and Happiness in Liquid Form. Wittily declaring the final track to be about Glasgow’s drink of choice, Buckfast, Alfie proved his ability to know his audience, get a laugh, and connect with the people that connect with his music. Firmly placing his personality front and centre and making it impossible not to see him as exactly who he is.
Alfie’s not just indie pop’s star of tomorrow, he’s also a fellow human being whose on-stage honesty, humour and vulnerability not only makes his music mean so much more to those it already means so much to, but also makes him an effortless live performer.