FEBRUARY is on the way out and already it has been a huge year for Anchor Lane.

The hard-rockin’ four-piece are powering ahead, with everything just beginning to fall into place. Their debut album, Casino, shot straight into both the Scottish Album and UK Rock and Metal charts, and serves as a marker well and truly laid down. Those partial to chunky riffs, twisting guitar solos and pop hooks are catered for.

But for all its acclaim, its nothing compared to hearing it live.

They returned to DreadnoughtRock in Bathgate – a venue which should be given more recognition for the work they do in promoting live music in the country.

It is a scene the band know quite well, though, for guitarist Lawrence O’Brien it was a first appearance. But one that he, much like the rest in the building, will not soon forget.

Anchor Lane open in quite ridiculous fashion with their debut single Dead Run closely followed by Clocks, arguably the best track on Casino.

The band show no signs of slowing down as they hammer through Honey and then the album’s title track before the powerful Stone Cold Hearted. Later comes terrific performances of Voodoo, Blood & Irony and the rousing Fame Shame to finish.

Fans of the band, indeed fans of the album, would do well to catch Anchor Lane live this year – there is a likelihood of a follow-up record down the line and it would be a shame to miss this band playing Casino in its entirety.

The quartet demonstrate great musicianship and have stagecraft in spades with singer Conor Gaffney and O’Brien both born entertainers.

Drummer Scott Hanlon is ferocious and pairs well with bassist Matthew Quigley in creating the driving backbone of the band.

As a whole, they are a tight unit and do their recorded work a real service with their live display. For anyone swaying back and forth on whether to catch Anchor Lane this year, don’t miss out – or you’ll regret it.

Listen to Anchor Lane on Spotify.

SETLIST

Dead Run
Clocks
Found Out
Honey
Cruel World
Casino
Stone Cold Hearted
Shell of Me
Voodoo
Blood & Irony
Flatline
Finished for Twelve
Fame Shame