Local Authority – Nice N Sleazy’s

One of the best ways to discover new music is to listen to recommendations from people whose taste you trust.

In this case, the recommendation came from my workmate Bruce, who suggested I check out a band called Local Authority. After spending some time watching their videos on YouTube, I decided he was onto something and agreed to head through to Nice N Sleazy in Glasgow with him to see what they were like in a live setting.

One of the joys of smaller gigs is that you often end up discovering more than just the headline act, and this evening was no exception.

Opening the night were Cloaks, a band who immediately grabbed my attention. Sadly, they would eventually call it a day in April 2025, which makes me even more pleased that I got the chance to see them while they were still together.

What struck me most was the quality of their songwriting. In particular, a song called Enough of Hate stood out from the very first listen. It had all the ingredients of a song that should have reached a much wider audience. The melody, the message and the performance all felt timeless. Had it received the sort of radio exposure that major labels can still generate, I genuinely believe it could have become one of those songs recognised by people far beyond the independent music scene.

Unfortunately, talent and exposure don’t always travel together.

The modern music industry can make it incredibly difficult for independent artists to break through, regardless of how good their material might be. That’s a shame because songs like Enough of Hate deserve to be heard.

By the end of their set I had stopped worrying about filming and found myself dancing along instead. As a result, the camera work becomes progressively less stable as the performance goes on. I can only apologise to anyone hoping for professional cinematography. Sometimes enjoying the gig has to take priority.

Afterwards, I had the chance to spend a little time chatting with Gary and Jess from the band outside the venue.

One of the things I love about smaller concerts is how accessible musicians can be. Rather than disappearing behind security barriers and tour buses, they often stand outside talking to audience members as though everyone is part of the same community. Gary and Jess were exactly like that — friendly, down-to-earth and genuinely appreciative of people taking an interest in their music.

As anyone watching the interview will quickly discover, they are simply lovely people.

It’s easy to root for artists like that.

The good news is that they were already attracting attention from some notable admirers. Pete Doherty is reportedly a fan, and opportunities to support The Libertines certainly won’t do their profile any harm. If there is any justice in the world, more people will discover what they have to offer.

Looking back, this turned out to be one of those evenings where a recommendation paid off handsomely. Bruce introduced me to Local Authority in a live setting, I discovered Cloaks, danced badly enough to ruin my camera work and came away with a renewed appreciation for the wealth of talent that exists below the mainstream radar.