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With an appearance at last year's Belladrum Festival behind them, a trio of EPs (The Rubbergum EPs 1, 2 and 3) and their recently released debut album, Hope Street, there was much anticipation prior to the return of Kassidy to the Highlands last week.

The popular four-piece are fast becoming Facebook favourites as a result of their regular webcast gigs, which they beam into fans bedrooms from their studio and flat in the centre of Glasgow.

The Ustream web-gig was the brainchild of blonde haired guitarist and singer, Hamish Fingland, who told me: "we are living in a digital age and I thought why not use the technology which exists to reach our fans in a way which was a bit different."

"The web-gigs have gone down well and people can use Facebook chat to give us feedback on the music, whilst we play. It's really interactive and fun to do."

Indeed Kassidy are extremely aware that the effective use of social media can unlock massive marketing and promotional opportunities. The band's Jesus-esque guitarist and piano player Lewis Andrew is the voice behind Kassidy's Twitter account and regularly interacts with fans and followers before and after gigs. You can also find Lewis, Hamish, Barrie and Chris on MySpace and YouTube.

But tonight (Thursday 14 April 2011) is all about reality and Kassidy doing what they do best, bringing it home live on stage. And they don't disappoint the sell out Ironworks crowd.

Before Kassidy take to the stage, the crowd - which is arriving in dribs and drabs - is treated to an accomplished set from friends and fellow Glaswegians Davey Horne. There is often a tendency for concert goers to dismiss the warm up acts, because let's face it there are not many Scots who would want to miss out on some last minute drinking time!

However, sometimes that results in us missing a hidden gem. Those who opted for the pub over the warm up missed themselves as Davey Horne's Chris "Black Crowes" Robinson like voice lit up the Ironworks.

And if missing one gem wasn't enough it quickly became two for those latecomers as Pearl and the Puppets treated the early birds to an enchanting set. Katie Sutherland's beautiful voice will undoubtedly draw comparisons with Kate Nash, with shades of the Cranberries first lady Dolores o Riordan, but there is something heartwarming and unique in their sound which went down well with the audience, which had thankfully swelled to a decent size as their delightful set floated on. This was a very uplifting and endearing batch of songs taken from their EP back catalogue, and included the pop bubblegum sounds of I Do Like You and Girlfriend. We await the album later this year.

Kassidy burst onto the stage to the sounds of the foot stomping The Lost and with that it's quite obvious that the Ironworks is going to enjoy every minute of a performance from Scotland's answer to Kings of Leon and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Lofty comparisons, but Kassidy are a hugely accomplished band for one so young in musical terms.

The quality of their harmonies and their ability to merge four guitars without the need for drums becomes instantly apparent on the beautiful and soulful La Revenge.

Secret Tells A Lie and The Traveller lead us nicely into one of Kassidy's biggest and most polished tracks to date, Take Another Ride. This is a sweeping, anthemic track and a song which is probably responsible for the KOL comparisons.

Night In A Box is followed by an achingly beautiful ballad called Waking Up Sideways. The we are treated to two of Kassidy's biggest live favourites, Oh My God and recent single I Don't Know, which people may remember as being the track with the One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest influenced video.

The lads close the set out with the album's title track Hope Street and the bluesy, raucousness of The Betrayal.

Queue the obligatory encore where we are treated to another example of their undoubted vocal ability with an a capella version of The Next Move On. Country influences are abound on the next track, the massively catchy Gambler Does The Gambler.

Already a favourite on YouTube Kassidy are almost expected to cover Adele's massive hit Rollin In The Deep and they don't disappoint with a flawless version. Ironically it's the album opener Stray Cat which closes the set, which included every song from Hope Street. There have been some special performances at the Ironworks and bands seem to share our love for this blossoming venue.

This was another night to remember, particularly when the band (and Pearl's Katie & Mikey) spent well over an hour outside the venue after the show signing autographs and posing for pictures with their fans. This human touch which will serve them well on the way up. Next stop Glastonbury 2011. Good luck lads.

Duncan Mckenzie

Duncans View...

Kassidy Light up the Ironworks

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Photographs by Suzette West