Published in Sounds, 6th March 1982

TV21 | Gig Review | Edinburgh 1982 | MY VISION of the stage is obscured by a tumultuous ocean of hands, saluting and acclaiming a veritable heroes’ return by TV21, now indisputably the most popular group in Edinburgh. Arguably this is only by default, the Scars having gone AWOL and Josef K having gone the way of mortal flesh.

Their brand of brash pop still occasionally grabs too clumsily for support from past/present influences, shedding a teardrop here, spreading jam there, but it’s growing up fast enough to soon stand on its own feet.

So its no surprise that the odd stumble causes the set to falter slightly, but a sudden hop and skip more than compensates, as well as announcing the imminence of a spring-heeled jump for joy.

TV21 | Gig Review | Edinburgh 1982

Immediately noticeable is TV21’s new-found effusive confidence, shooting out from the performers to the observers like the glow of laser beams, erasing the self-conscious hesitancy that previously marred potentially great songs like ‘Waiting For The Drop’ and ‘This Is Zero‘, which remains their most accurate and sharpest observation of adolescent frustrations without being patronising.

Vocalist Norman Rodger has learnt the elusive art of stage presence and presentation, while restraining any temptation to become overawed by his own personality. In short, he copes rather than Copes.

The band, meanwhile, have developed the cocky swagger and dashing arrogance of a pop group in tune with the good life, even though their appearance reminds more of sober, chic suburbanism (waistcoats and ties) than their desperate stab at radical sophistication with those neckerchiefs.

Snakes and ladders

Amid such diamonds of commerciality as ‘On The Run’ and ‘Snakes And Ladders’, with the trumpet so often tuneless and superfluous adding immeasurably to the overall feel, giving the sound a fat, juicy warmth, TV21 forever seem on the brink of breaking free with a resounding smash, maybe the noise of a hit record.

Their best bet so far is certainly the current ‘All Join Hands‘, but tonight its haunting hymnal purity was reduced to the level of a playground nursery rhyme by the intrusive backing vocals by a female trio presumably drafted in to add a degree of glamour. Ha! It’s a facile, tawdry, tacky Human League affectation that is totally out of place.

The gritty style of the songs simply doesn’t warrant it and they sound like yelping bitches. Bananarama they ain’t!

But TV21 themselves remain on the thresh-hold of success, leaning on a barrier that threatens to keep them hemmed in for far too long. All it really needs is one final onslaught to overcome this final hurdle and rapturous nights like this will become, commonplace. (Johnny Waller)