HI-FIVE

Last week, the newly revamped Club 601 opened its doors to a completely different live music experience than last year’s Main Bar gigs. HI-FIVE, a brand-new monthly music series, has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting addition to the St Andrews music scene. The headliner of their first show was Daytime TV, a rising melodic rock band from Scotland. The band have featured on numerous BBC Radio 1 shows, built an impressive following throughout their European tours, as well as supporting major artists like Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats. HI-FIVE has provided the perfect platform for bands external to St Andrews to come and perform. 

As I arrived, the Main Bar was already filled with excited anticipation for the night ahead — friends were laughing, drinks were flowing, and the doors were ready to be opened. As the crowd poured into Club 601, it truly felt as if I were attending a proper concert. The night began with student band Raincheck, whose familiar energy set the perfect mood for the start of the night. Later, as Daytime TV’s opening song, ‘Zombie’, started blaring out of the speakers, the concert’s atmosphere became more apparent than ever. While the intimacy of the gigs in the Main Bar last year created a personal and endearing atmosphere by fostering a close connection between the performer and the audience, the more expansive construction of 601 created a contrasting free-spirited essence that made everyone quickly get on their feet and dance. The music was louder, the lights danced along with us, and the stage, elevated on a platform, transformed the area below into the perfect dance floor. The design provided both visibility and ample space for the crowd to move freely, creating an energetic connection between the performers and the audience. 

I was especially impressed with the table of merchandise adorned with vinyls, stylish t-shirts, and hats. Many were eager to take home a piece of memorabilia to remember the evening. One standout item was a new t-shirt that hasn’t graced their online storefront yet, a black top with red illustrations, a signature colour to their latest EP. The members of Daytime TV were stationed at the table, sharing warm and enthusiastic interactions with the crowd huddling around them. This transformed simple merchandise purchases into an opportunity for fans, and even people who didn’t know of them prior to the show, to connect with the band. Attendees could ask questions and share stories about their favourite songs. It was exciting to see merch tables such as this in 601 as it truly solidified HI-FIVE’s notion of welcoming artists from outside of St Andrews into our community. 

As the closing notes of Daytime TV’s encore, ‘Digital Light’, echoed in the background, fans clutched their bags filled with band merch and found their friends on the dance floor. There were whispers across the floor of how fun the night had been. Daytime TV’s focus on instrumental rhythms and catchy choruses created the perfect songs to dance to, whether you knew the songs prior or not. I am genuinely excited to see what show HI-FIVE puts on next, and I will definitely be in attendance.

Photo: Hi-Five