LA Priest, aka, Sam Eastgate gave a captivating performance on Tuesday 3rd October to a sold-out Hug and Pint, an intimate venue in Glasgow. 110 fans flooded to the West End to witness the otherworldly performer. He did an hour-long set of his new album ‘False Luna’, which when performed had themes and grooves of the 70s, while still feeling futuristic and transcendental. LA Priest is reaching the end of their national tour and is about to set off on a European tour with the chart-topping band ‘Jungle’.
Eastgate’s first song began with a strong bass beat, which you could feel from your feet to your fingertips, which set the tone for the night. The gig was unconventional and inventive, giving him a very distinctive sound. Eastgate admitted “I would love if there was a machine that I could just make up all these songs, without having to find any bandmates.” if you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t believe that there was only one person on stage. With the help of an array of guitar pedals, a bass string he added onto his guitar, a loop pedal, and his own breath as percussion he managed to create a sound that would’ve rivalled an orchestra.
Jenna Miller, 19, and fan of LA Priest said “LA Priest’s performance tonight was truly captivating to watch and is a gig to remember. His engagement with the crowd was incredible, no matter if he was playing one of his slower tracks or his more upbeat tunes, he was always keeping the audience energised and entertained.” Throughout the set Eastgate was very engaging he would run through the audience during guitar solos, dance with fans in the crowd during the chorus of their favourite songs and he riffed while lying over a speaker while fans desperately tried to get nearer for an up-close shot.
Eastgate disclosed “I want to give people a feeling that they’re free when they listen to it, it’s
not bringing you back to reality, it’s escapism.” Without a doubt, he achieved that with this crowd. Glancing around the room during the performance I saw the audience closing their eyes, still remaining present and in the moment, they gave the phrase lost in the music, a whole new meaning.
Eastgate ended his set hanging off a speaker, while fans desperately reached to hold his hand, we know for sure the fans he has are loyal and I know this loyalty will become widespread. With his unrepeatable and experimental sound, I have no doubt that he is the future of music.
Written by Natalie Smith
Comments