The Cartoon Boyfriends / The Heartbreak Diet - Leith Depot, January 16th 2025

I am rarely in Leith and, so, a night in a venue on Leith Walk was something a bit different, particularly as tonight’s venue, Leith Depot was a place I’d never visited before. I arrived to find a buzzing, trendy bar, the sort of place that’s all wooden and has had a fortune spent on it to make it look old. On a Thursday in early January, it was good to see it packed out.

There was a sign pointing the way to the venue and it took me to a big old door, behind which I could hear some music wafting out. Opening the door took me into a concert space the like of which I had never experienced before. I was literally standing in what had clearly been a living room. Now, it was a pretty big living room, but it was a living room nevertheless. The place had a funny feel to it, really nice, but also a little unusual. It felt like it was a mix between, a music club, somebody’s front room and a chic, underground, hipster joint that somebody like me had no business visiting. The crowd mirrored that mix. There were folk in leather jackets, others in V-neck jumpers and some so styled they could cut themselves. It was a really eclectic mix, but it was also a cool one with a mega welcoming vibe. I liked it.

I reckon the space held about 70 and tonight it was chalk full. It was great to see people out on a Thursday having a couple beers with friends and spending a fiver to come see some live music performed on a stage that rose no more than 4 inches above the carpeted floor.

Regretfully, I arrived too late to hear any more than the ending bars of the Heartbreak Diet, who deserve a listen just for the name alone. The crowd were enthusiastic, and I will look out for them again.

I always enjoy an intimate gig, but this was a new level. Before they started, the singer announced that a set of keys had been found. Pockets were checked and the owner identified themselves and the keys were returned. Now, time for the music.

The Cartoon Boyfriend’s have been around the Edinburgh music scene, in one form or other, for the last five years or so. The band write their own stuff as well as playing a few covers that very much point to their style and influence. And that influence? It's clear the five guys who make up the band all enjoyed the jangling, guitar driven music, that came out the post punk scene and which made the ’90 so much fun for guitar bands.

First up was “Something to Say”. Like most of tonight’s set, this was drawn from their 2022 album ‘Get Up and Dance Together’. The album is on Bandcamp and very much worth a listen.

“I Never Told You I Was Perfect” was next then a cover of “Psycho Killer” and, already a theme was starting to emerge. This was a band who were introspective and self-deprecating with their lyrics and who enjoyed a strong punch through with the guitar. No long guitar solos either and very few singalong or call and return song lines, this was a no nonsense approach to music, and, I think it worked.

“Extravagant Party” which described an older guy looking back to times of greater freedom and success was followed by “I’m Not Playing Without You”. This had a really nice riff to it and had a bit of a dance-along vibe. That said, there was not too much dancing going on, however given the setup of the venue, singer Chris was able to jump of the stage – remember it was a perilous 4-inch drop, have a wee pogo, and return to voice duties without losing a beat or his breath.

Another cover and, I think, The Cartoon Boyfriends did a good job of making The White Stripes “Fell In Love With a Girl” their own. Back to their own stuff and I really enjoyed new song “Crush”, it was song of the night for me. “Crush” was followed by “Arsehole” which was a far kinder song than the title suggests. Again, it was self-reflection and self-blame that came battering out of this song. Like most of their stuff, I thought this was witty, pithy and came with a wee touch of Buzzcocks Pete Shelly both in style and delivery.

The night ended with two more from the album, “Nothing to Lose” and “Croydon/Sutton”. There was a shout for an encore but the band had run out of songs so “I Never Told You I Was Perfect” got a re-run.

It is important to doff the cap to the sound guy. What a fantastic mix he got out of the night. Guitars were sharp and vocal crisp and clear. There are a few, higher profile, Edinburgh venues that would benefit from giving him a call, he did a great job.

This was certainly a bit of a different one for me. When there were moments of guitar tuning going on, the crowd shared stories of crofting and the challenge of naming cows as well as debating the best kind of soup – Heinz tomato, for anyone interested. I guess that’s what happens if you have a gig in a living room, the conversation can go anyway.

What was important was that this was good music being played to a paying audience in a small venue which was packed. Sure, the surroundings made it feel like you were crashing a private party, but that just added to the atmosphere. I will certainly be making a return to the Leith Depot and will be looking out for The Cartoon Boyfriend’s next gig.