The Queen Extravaganza @ O2 ABC Glasgow, 18th September 2014

Just short of a year ago, the Queen Extravaganza came to Scotland on their first tour of the UK. Now, they were back in the same venue to rock Glasgow again.

Once again, the stage was covered by the large curtain baring the Queen coat of arms. In the build up (and while the audience was still filing into the venue) the instrumentals of Made In Heaven and The Prophet's Song played in the background. It wasn't long until the curtain dropped and it was straight into Tie Your Mother Down and Don't Stop Me Now, the audience joining in with the singing.

Lead singer Marc Martel welcomes the audience on what is a historic night for Scotland...with the Queen Extravaganza returning to Glasgow. Without missing a beat, the band head into a medley of tracks of Save Me, The Seven Seas of Rye, Killer Queen and Hammer to Fall. Marc leaves the stage allowing the remaining members Francois-Olivier Doyon (Bass), Nick Radcliffe (guitar), Tyler Warren (drums) & Brandon Ethridge (keyboards) to perform Dragon Attack with Warren on vocals.

Marc returns to the stage with guitar in hand for a performance of Crazy Little Thing Called Love before heading into a tale of starting this current UK tour on Freddie Mercury's birthday and how this next track was being dedicated to him. Cue a beautiful rendition of Love of My Life, again with the audience joining in and Martel encouraging it. How do you follow that? With the great A Kind of Magic of course.

Next is tracks from the album A Night At The Opera starting with the beauvaugard track Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon before once again giving the stage to drummer Tyler for the song I'm in Love With My Car. Before the next track, Marc admits that he first heard the next track back in the 90s thanks to a film. That film was Wayne's World and the song of course is Bohemian Rhapsody. After this fan favourite follows another in the guise of Under Pressure which see musical director and keyboardist Brandon Ethridge joining in vocal duties taking on David Bowie's sections of the track and it works well.

I Want It All & Another One Bites the Dust come up next before Tyler Warren gives one of his drums solo merging seamlessly into Ogre Battle & Stone Cold Crazy. I Want to Break Free is next up after this followed by Radio Ga Ga which involves a little bit of participation from the audience in a vocal challenge. Glasgow's so used to these that they probably have a gold medal in it. Before the next track, Marc pay tribute to Brian May and how he was the deep thinker of the group and that reflected in his song writing...And from there it's into Fat Bottomed Girls. And finally, it's Somebody to Love with more audience participation in the harmonies (and sounding beautiful too!)

Of course that's not the end of the show. No and appropriately, the next track for the show is The Show Must Go On. And to round it off with We Will Rock You & We Are the Champions.

This time around was different from their last outing in Glasgow. Gone is Jennifer Espinoza and Nick Radcliffe was in place of Brian Gresh so there was a bit of a difference in sound but to no detriment of the show that was offered. It's always a great night out and great tribute to the music that is Queen. And despite what else was happening elsewhere in Scotland, the only mandate being agreed on in the O2 ABC that night was the the Queen Extravaganza rocked.

Photos (c) Vhari Lannigan

Sandi Thom @ Howden Park Centre, Livingston 17th April 2014

It’s been just over a year & half since Sandi Thom last toured the UK but that was with a full band. This time around it’s just Thom being a one (wo)man band playing all bar the kitchen sink (maybe she plays this too, we’re not quite sure but wouldn’t be surprised) in a evening of stories and songs performed as they haven’t been heard before.

Before Thom was support act Steve Appleton who was also was his own band, this time though with a little help from a loop pedal. He worked through a set of his own music including Diamonds & Valantina and admitted that he had been trying new material on the Scottish audiences. After a small interval it was time for the main act.

Opening the set with two tracks from the latest album, Help Me & Stormy Weather, it’s clear that this isn’t what has gone before, with the songs being performed in what can only be described as new arrangements bringing a new feeling to them. Thom welcomes everyone to the show before heading into a tale of heading to London to ‘live the dream’ and about the drunk in the local pub who could belt out anything that was requested and that this was the inspiration was the next track, The Human Jukebox.

It’s a jump to the third album, Merchants & Thieves for the next track, Belly Of The Blues before back tracking to The Pink & The Lily for The Shape I’m In (a song inspired by the events of her first visit to LA where after a bit of a wild night with the Scottish Rugby Team, she spent the night on the street). It’s back to the present album for the next track, Buffy Sainte-Marie’s The Big Ones Get Away a song which, on the album, she performed with the lady herself.

Runaway Train provides an opportunity for a little audience participation in a call and response (something the Scots audiences usually can’t resist taking part in). A reminisce of her days in the band The Residents, it time for a cover track, one frequently performed as part of this group. It comes in the form of the Fleetwood Mac track, Landslide. 

Time to head back to the debut album for the next track in the from of What If I’m Right before we get the title track of the current studio album, Flesh & Blood. Things slow down again for My Ungrateful Heart from The Pink & The Lily before it time for I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) in which she plays the harmonica, strums the guitar & stamps her feet all at the same time. A short break and she comes back for one more track in the form of When Horsepower Meant What It Said.

As said at the start, this was not the usual Sandi Thom concert. The stripped back approach seemed to work with tracks from all 4 studio albums being given a new working bringing them a new life. The venue seemed to be perfect for what very quickly felt like a very intimate experience between artist & audience. The mix of tracks showcased that Sandi’s voice could do quite & tender but also big & powerful but also meant that there was most likely something for everyone in the set whilst showing how far she’s come since she was first presented to us. A different night out and one that we would like to see again.

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

Sandi Thom
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Steve Appleton
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Mike & The Mechanics @ Music Hall, Aberdeen 25th February 2014

25 years ago, the album The Living Years was released by Mike & The Mechanics and now it’s recently been treated to a deluxe re-release to celebrate. And what other way do you celebrate? Why, you go on tour of course! It seems that this time around that the team are visiting locations not previously visited on their last two recent tours.

Although celebrating 25 years of The Living Years, this tour would sample tracks from across the 29 year catalogue so there was something for everyone. Opening with the 1995 track Beggar On A Beach of Gold, those who have attended in previous years will be familiar with the line up: Andrew Roachford on vocals & keys, Tim Howar on vocals, Luke Juby on everything except the kitchen sink (or maybe he plays that too), Anthony Drennon on guitar & bass, Mechanics veteran Garry Wallis on drums and of course, Mike Rutherford on guitar. From the same album, it’s straight into Cup of Coffee before finishing the opening trio with Get Up.

Rutherford begins by welcoming everyone to show but saying it’s Perth, which for the most part, the audience believe is a deliberate joke, until it pointed out that by fellow band mates, it’s Aberdeen. Realising his mistake, he quickly moves onto introducing the band and then the next song, which has Howar in stitches because of the title, 2011 Try To Save Me. Seeing Is Believing and Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) up next before delving into the The Living Years album for Don’t.

Andrew Roachford is an artist himself and tells Aberdeen (this becomes a running joke throughout the night) it’s time to delve into the Roachford files for the next track This Generation. Though he does manage to mess up the opening, which he blames on karma. Of course, Mike & The Mechanics was a project set up to do between Mike’s other band’s album. That other band being Genesis and it’s from this catalogue that the next track comes from in the form of Turn It On Again. It’s time for a bit of self promoting from Mike with regards the deluxe version of The Living Years, his book and of course The Singles album, that contains a new song written by him and Roachford called When My Feet Don’t Touch The Ground.

More older songs in the form of Everybody Gets A Second Chance and Nobody’s Perfect. Time for another one from Roachford and it can only be Cuddly Toy. During the last few tours, it’s become almost a tradition for Roachford to try and catch drummer Garry Wallis off guard with beats with the line If I told you once / I told you three times but he changes the number. Tonight, they’re going for 22…and Wallis snares it perfectly. Tonight’s lesson; you need to get up early in the morning to beat Wallis! Another song from the Genesis catalogue in I Can’t Dance.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mike & The Mechanics tours without THAT song, and of course we’re talking about The Living Years. Who needs a backing choir when you’ve got the audience to sing that part for you? The final song from the set is All I Need Is A Miracle which gets the audience up on it feet…and of course Tim decides to challenge the audience with a chanting session to see if they can keep up with him….it’s Scotland, we’re known for our ability to sing back!

It’s not the end though, as after just a few short minutes they’re all back on stage and it’s into Over My Shoulder. And the finale comes in the form of Word Of Mouth which shows up who’d been to the previous concerts when there’s arm waving and people don’t need prompting.

This is the third time that we’ve seen the group and it’s always been a great night out. There was more variation in the set list than the previous shows (201? show mainly featured songs from the then studio album, The Road with a few classics thrown in, 201? introduced some Genesis, and now in 2014 it’s a mixture of songs from across the entire catalogue) meaning that there was something for everyone no matter what age or where you came in of the fan range. The question is whether or not more of The Living Years album might have been more appropriate (there was 4 out of a 18 song set list) but when you have that re-release and the singles collection to contend with coupled with a 29 year back catalogue, it must be difficult know how to ensure that there is a mixture for everyone. That small point aside, there’s never a dull moment here.

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Utada // In The Flesh 2010

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It’s been 3 years since Utada released her album This Is The One and tour it with her In The Flesh tour, but now finally, footage from two of those shows (The Filamore at Irving Plaza in New York and O2 Islington Academy in London) has been released for viewing pleasure.

The compilation brings her show featuring mainly tracks from her two English language albums, Exodus and This Is The One with a few Japanese thrown in for good measure. Sadly there are at points where, given the fact that the recording is split across two venues, that this is made blatantly obviously but at the same time, it’s sometimes done well. But when cutting between the venues in midst of a song….you then have to ask…what recording is actually being used?

As a “live” experience, it makes viewing a little awkward. Whilst some might argue that having it across the two venues isn’t a bad thing, at the same time, it would be nice to just have one full performance from one venue. Nice little memory for those that were there or for those that are curious at what they missed out on.

Rating:3/5

Danny Elfman’s Music From The Films Of Tim Burton @ The SSE Hydro, Glasgow 9th September 2013

So in case you didn’t know, Glasgow’s got a brand new shiny venue called the SSE Hydro (or just The Hydro to the locals) and after having hosted the likes of Rod Stewart & Fleetwood Mac the previous week, another spectacle was to grace the halls, in the form of Danny Elfman’s Music From The Films of Tim Burton, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Maida Vale Singers & conducted by John Mauceri.

After a small delay due to issues earlier in the day, the show got underway opening with music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1995) accompanied by a montage of footage and concept art from the films that would be represented during the show. 

The first half of the show would take into account mainly some of Burton’s older films. From some recent, it was into some of Burton’s earliest work, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985) and Beetlejuice (1988) before heading over to the spooky Sleepy Hollow (1999) and an alien invasion in Mars Attacks! (1996). Next we’re taken to the colourful world of Big Fish (2003) before finishing the first half off with music from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992).

After a short interval, the second half of the evening took into consideration more recent collaborations kicking off with Planet Of The Apes (2001) and then 2005’s Corpse Bride. Two more recent collaborations in Dark Shadows (2012) and Frankenweenie (2012) before heading into a much loved, and probably well known film, Edward Scissorhands (1990).

Another well known film is probably the stop motion tale The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) where Elfman himself made an appearance on stage to a cheer that would normally be heard at a pop concert. Performing Jack’s Lament, the infamous What’s This?, Jack’s Obsession & Poor Jack. Leaving the stage, it’s time for another film, Alice In Wonderland (2010) with Harry Jackson taking on the role of soloist. So that’s that….or maybe not, as Elfman returns to the stage with another roar of appreciation and performs Oogie Boogie’s Song with a little help from Mauceri assisting as Santa.

The night as a whole was fantastic. Glasgow was the only Scottish date for this show. A celebration of the collaborations between Elfman & Burton, the show showcased the music well, accompanied in part by footage and concept art from the films, and when this disappeared, all you had to do was close your eyes and you were there in the film. The music seemed to flow from one film to another without too much difficulty (all the music had been re-arranged by Elfman himself for this event) Although only our first experience of something like this, we’d no doubt do it again in a heartbeat (Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy, we looking at you to come back to Scotland!) and we’d like to see an actual film with a live orchestra (seems to be a thing common at the Royal Albert Hall in London). Overall, a great night to share with others in a new venue and opportunity to see a great score composer.

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

Amy Macdonald @ The Picture House, Edinburgh (5th March 2013)

Having recently just completed a number of dates in Europe that had been rescheduled from last year, Amy Macdonald continues her tour in support of her current album Life In A Beautiful Light, stopping off at The Picture House in Edinburgh for one of only two Scottish dates this time around.

Opening for Amy was singer songwriter Ben Montague who hails from Kent. With the crowd cheering as he takes to the stage, he cheekily takes to the mic to remind them that ‘you haven’t heard me yet’. But it works as an ice breaker. He works his way through a selection of his tracks including Sweet Amelia , Broken (that followed his explaining that being a songwriter and in love is crap because you have nothing to write about), Haunted and Liberty Road. During the set he points out that he’ll be out meeting people & signing and that he’s back in Edinburgh in April on his own tour.

After a short set up period, Macdonald takes to the stage opening with 4th of July before heading into the handclapping Poison Prince.She takes a moment to welcome the sell out crowd to the venue but makes her feelings known about the backstage area (“They’ve obviously spent the money out the front”) and the temperature of the place. She also makes reference to the fact that she doesn’t have a second list tonight with a list of local words, a hinting at her time in Europe. However, this is put a minor distraction and she continues the set with L.A. and Spark.

She introduces the next track saying that people probably won’t associate with her and she took some convincing to include it on her latest album. Here we’re led into The Game. From there, it’s straight into a fan favourite in  Mr Rock & Roll. Before the next track, she chats to the crowd and announces that she’s taking a page out of ‘Davie C’s’ book in that we should be working for nothing and invites the crowd to become her backing singers for Slow It Down which of course they do with gusto.

Amy apologises during the set up for the next part that it’s been more graceful on other dates as they’ve had larger stages since they’ve been playing theatre type venues. The setting up leads to a short acoustic set starting with a solo version of Love Love and a new, only performed live version of Give It All Up. The band rejoin her for a rendition of This Pretty Face before a rare sight is seen; Amy without a guitar as she does a cover of Jackie Wilson’s (You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher.

A short break for a quick clear up and it’s straight back to normal service as she head’s into the first single from A Curious Thing, Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over. With her being in Edinburgh, she offers to change the lyrics to the next song to the Green and Maroon (in respect to the two local football teams) but this doesn’t go down well with the crowd so she sticks with The Green and The Blue.

Next it’s into No Roots before she begins talking about how she’s just recently been asked to perform at Hampden when Scotland play against Wales. This leads into the resounding Pride. Next it’s into Run before heading into firm fan favourite This Is The Life (complete with fan participation) before finishing with the title track of her current album, Life In A Beautiful Light.

But the crowd call out for more and after a short few moments, Amy returns to the stage alone to perform her version of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark. Another chance to see Amy without guitar comes with a rendition of The Furthest Star before finishing on a high with two tracks from the debut album in form of Barrowland Ballroom and Let’s Start A Band.

You always get your money’s worth when going to see Amy. She continues to grow in confidence and isn’t shy about sharing her opinion (like commenting about people talking at gigs after paying good money when they could be down the pub). In a hour and a half, she powered through 22 songs with added banter. And with a ticket price of a mere £25 and considering what you might pay for some other bands (around the £40+ mark) it’s been money well spent and you always come away with a smile on your face.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Ben Montague
Official Site | Amazon | iTunes

Amy Macdonald
Official Site | Amazon | iTunes

Lindsey Stirling @ Oran Mor, Glasgow (22nd January 2013)

There always seems to be some form of musical event happening in and around the city of Glasgow all year round. And whilst January is the month of Celtic Connections in Glasgow, up in Oran Mor in the west end of the city, there was the premier performance from the violinist Lindsey Stirling.

In support was The Vibrant Sound, who broke the ice with the sold out show audience with an acoustic rendition of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme, which had the audience singing along with him. With just a laptop and a guitar he sang original song Industrial Revolution, and a solo version of Gold Digga (a song he had covered with Lindsey on Youtube). Also performed was Flight & 79 as well as new release Gravity (Gotta Fly). It's not long until the main act takes the stage.

From the moment that her two fellow band mates entered the stage, the audience went wild. Starting by playing off stage, Lindsey entered to Moon Trance. From that moment there seemed to be no stopping her. Making full use of the small stage, Lindsey would be at one side of it before twisting and turning across to the other side. Without almost stopping, she moved into her next song Spontaneous Me before finishing her opening set with Shadows.

She pauses a moment welcoming everyone to her show and announcing how pleased she is to be in Scotland and it being her first time. She also pointed out that her last name was the same as a nearby town and that she had Scottish roots (at which someone in the audience shouted 'Freedom' a la William Wallace style). From here she introduced her next song, Electric Daisy Violin.

Talking to the audience she says that she letting the boys get a break, only turning round to find them gone, a fact that the audience is already aware of (“Take 5 guys...”). She asks if there are any gamers in the room which gets a cheer and she announces that she's going to play a track that was made up from 120 layers and that the audience is free to join in with the singing. She is of course talking about the Skyrim Theme that was done with Peter Hollans. Following on from here Lindsey performs a stripped back version of her track Elements.

As the next track begin, Lindsey explains the story behind it. She tells the audience about her trip to Kenya and meeting members of a tribe. She explains that although she couldn't understand them and they couldn't understand them, the one thing they did understand was music. And why, when she recorded the next track, she changed the lyrics to 'whole new place'. The song that she is talking about is We Found Love, which during the performance, the video of the track played in the background.

Her next track is inspired by the fact that when she was younger her dad used to read her books and this was her 'geek' moment. She heads into a medley of songs from The Lord of The Rings. From here it's into another medley, this time of Michael Jackson songs (including Eat It, Billie Jean, Gotta Be Startin' Somethin' & Smooth Criminal). Following almost without a break it's into Lindsey rendition of Good Feeling.

Next it's one of her favourite tracks on her album, Zi Zi Journey. This is another track where the audience gets involved jumping up and down as well as fist punching and in some cases, head banging. Carrying this on is the dubstep track Crystallize before finishing with the track Transcendence. Of course, although she's left the stage, the crowd start chanting 'one more song'. And yes, she does come back for one more song. Donning a black eye mask, she comes back on the stage playing a Phantom of the Opera medley.

Overall, you couldn't ask for a better night. It's the first time that she has been to Europe and Glasgow was one of only two nights in the UK. For the ticket price (£12) you certainly got your money's worth as, although it didn't seem that there was a lot of tracks played, it certainly seemed longer. Lindsey commanded both the stage and the audience with confidence but yet enjoyed herself. What surprised us was that the night was sold out, something that wasn't exactly expected but shows just how much of a following that she has (either that or that Glasgow has got good taste in music!). Hopefully it won't be too long before she makes a return appearance in the Scottish city

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

The Vibrant Sound
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Lindsey Stirling
Official Site | iTunes

Lionel Richie @ SECC Glasgow (14th December 2012)

Having had to postpone some UK dates for his Tuskegee tour back in September this year, Lionel Richie finally graced the stage of the SECC on the 14th of December. Having seen him twice previously, would it still be as good?

Supporting Lionel was a lass from Sheffield named Philippa Hanna. It was just herself and her guitar and to be honest, she looked dwarfed on the stage. She opened with her track Happy In My Skin before heading into Summer Bride (a track inspired by a story a friend told her not to tell anyone…so she tells everyone in song!). A short pause as she mentions she comes from a musical family and that her dad used to sing a Lionel Richie track and dedicate it to her mum. Feeling that it would be a little inappropriate to sing a Lionel track, she instead opts to sing Always On My Mind mixed in with the well known track Loch Lomand. Another song and she introduces her next track as being inspired by a friend who went for cosmetic surgery and how she thought it was wrong that people had go down that route to make themselves felt great. This leads into I Am Amazing before ending her set with Work In Progress.

Finally the main act can begin. Not one to usually have a fancy set, this year would be different in that in the centre was a staircase, and the band was situated in front of. An intro of a sort of dance version of Hello gets the crowd excited before the man himself appears atop the staircase and heads into All Around The World and then straight into Penny Lover. Pausing for a moment, he apologises for being late but that he would make it up to the audience by singing every song that he ever wrote. The bad news was that he’d forgotten most of them, but if the audience would sing with him, it would probably work. Like he has to ask! He also comments about the lovely spring weather that Glasgow is having and asks if we spend the whole year there or fly south for the winter. As he sits at the piano he starts singing Easy accompanied by a few thousand other singers. Next he sings the track that he wrote for his daughter, Ballerina Girl.

Sitting back at the piano, he talks about how ‘we’ve known each other for years’ and how ‘we’ been though the good and the bad times. So begins 3 short renditions starting with when the love of you life has told you that it’s over and they’ve left you. This leads to Love You Still. The next story is when you see the love of your life walk in with another woman (Crazy Over You) and then finally, when come out the other side, the grass is green and the sky is blue (except in Glasgow) then the song you want is Stuck On You. Leaving the piano, Lionel points out that he dying from sweat on stage and the audience looks too comfortable and he’s deciding that if he’s sweating, so are the audience. There is only two ways that this next track can be done…many have worked out the name but before he can say anything, a piece of lady’s underwear ends up on the stage, rendering him speechless. He then points out that there could be 3 ways to do the next track. It is of course Dancing On The Ceiling.

Next he gives the audience the background to his next track and how it was inspired by his dad giving a toast to his mother over dinner one night. It went on to be a 7 million selling hit and all his dad keeps asking is where's his cheque. The song is of course Three Times A Lady. Followed by this is Sail On. Next is a medley of Commadores tracks (Fancy Dancer, Sweet Love And Lady (You Bring Me Up)

Lionel tells how he tried calling up Diana Ross to have her make a surprise appearance in Glasgow to perform their track and she said no. He tries again telling her it's Glasgow, on a Friday night and still she said no. So instead he'd sing it with a thousand Diana Ross'. Of course the track he means is Endless Love. He follows up singing Brick House and then Destiny. The stage goes quiet before he reappears up on the staircase singing Say You Say Me before heading straight into Running With The Night.

Assuming his position back at the piano, he wants to sing a song that people seem to want to sing back to him all over the world. It is of course Hello. Of course the audience isn't one for stopping and ready to keep going All Night Long. Just to show that he's down with what's popular, he does as a parody of one of the most popular songs in 2012. It is of course Gangnam Style though performed as Lionel Richie Style. Disappearing for a moment, he comes back to sing Hard To Say Goodbye

It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since he was last in the Scottish city but showed that he could teach the young ones a thing or two about putting a show on. It's always a party atmosphere when he plays and sometimes it's hard to wonder why there are seats. He has a great sense of humour (even making a joke about the Lionel Richie audience going nude and what a youtube video that would make) and it's obvious that he enjoys what he does. Another great night that was well worth the ticket price.

Photos
Philippa Hanna: from official facebook page
Lionel Richie © Vhari Lannigan (from 2009 tour)

Lionel Richie
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Phillipa Hanna
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Official Store

Alex Cornish @ 13th Note Cafe Glasgow (20th November 2012)

You might think that acts go on tour because they have something to promote, usually a new album. Not always the case though, and Alex Cornish is an example of this. It’s been a year and 4 months since the singer/songwriter was last in the city and with tweets hinting at practicing songs never played on tour before and limited edition (handmade by the way) EP available, who could say no?

Supporting Alex was once again was Paul Gilbody (also the double bass player in the band). Starting with a track he describes as ‘a song about the weather’ (it must be something about Scottish based acts having an affinity with rain) before being introduce to a ‘10 year old track’ that he’s about to release as a single that goes by the name of Ricochet (maybe music is like a good malt; needs time to age). Next things are slowed down with Quicksand before playing a request of Sushi. Finally Paul finished his set off with a new song called Magnets Have Souls. A quick re-arrange of the furniture so to speak and we’re ready for the main event.

Opening with a track from his forthcoming album, it was then onto more familiar territory with Storm To Pass and an interesting version of Counting Chimney Pots before hopping back to his 3rd album No Shore for Rely. A short break to welcome the small group in the cosy & intimate venue and introduce the last couple of tracks. We stay with the 3rd album for the next three tracks (Open Your Eyes, Skyline Of Paris & Always A Way) though between the 2nd and 3rd tracks there is a slight technical issue that provided a kodak moment that would have asked; how many musicians does it take to fix… and Alex commenting that ‘one day I’ll have guitar techs to sort this for me’.It’s back to the debut album, Until The Traffic Stops for the next track in the form of Lights On.  

 

Taking a breather, Alex comments how he’s been lucky that his songs have been picked up my shows in America and about the number of downloads. He added that obviously those shows aren’t watched in Glasgow as there would have been more people there. He first plays Don’t Hold Me Back (featured in The Big C (Season 1, Ep 4) before heading onto the The Shame (featured in Private Practice). After this he points out that last year, Paul had taken up learning the ukulele and that he thought it would be a good idea if Paul could play one of his songs. This leads into Breathe Slow (featured in The Big C (Season 2)

Another breather moment where Alex thanks those present for coming out and announces that this time next year he’s be playing the SECC and charging exuberant amount on the tickets, but how he’d be remembered as ‘the guy with guitar troubles’ but having a great band. It’s here he introduces Craig on the drums (a familiar Craig as it the Craig who’s usually touring with Sandi Thom), Paul on double bass and Bevis on keys. They head into the final track of the set in the form of the beautiful This Is The Point.

Of course, it’s not the end and Alex decides to give himself an encore. First it a cover of the Dire Strait’s song Brothers In Arms before we’re treated to another new song also from his forthcoming album How I’m Meant To Be. Finally, Paul and Criag return for the final track of the night, Scotland The Brave.

It’s always interesting to hear Alex live. You could see him numerous times and still find that there is something new to hear in a track and it purely comes down to performance. Hearing a few new tracks may have wetted the appetite but in the meantime, the starter to keep those settled comes in the handmade, limited edition EP that he’s selling. Fun night on a miserable Tuesday night.

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

Alex Cornish
Official Site
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Paul Gilbody
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Sandi Thom @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Glasgow (10th November 2012)

It's been 2 years, 6 months and 3 days since Sandi was last in Glasgow, but it's been 4 years and 4 months since she last graced the stage of the infamous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.

Opening for Sandi was Edinburgh singer/songwriter Carrie Mac. Taking to the stage, she performed a selection of tracks including Love Curse, Heartbreaker (where she announced that she'd only ever played it live once before!), recent single Things I Wish I'd Said, Little Respect (a popular cover amongst fans where she said the crowd could join in if they wanted), Falling At Your Feet and finishing off with Like A Star.

It wasn't long until the main act was ready to take the stage. Opening with two tracks from her latest release (Help Me and Stormy Weather) before heading into the familiar but yet different I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair). Rise As One is come next followed by the first visit to the Merchants and Thieves album in the form of Show No Concern.

Before heading into the next track, Sandi begins to tell the tale behind her next track (whilst tuning her guitar) about her moving to Tooting and about the man who always seemed to always be drunk but sang like Frank Sinatra even after 10 pints (which got the response from the crowd of 'So did Frank Sinatra'). This led into a track from her debut album Smile...It Confuses People in the form of Human Jukebox. From here it's seamless into another track from the same album, the beautiful Castles.

After this quiet moment, the tempo (and noise!) level is raised as they head into Ain't That A Lot Of Love. Keeping the pace is This Ol' World with backing vocalist Lindsey taking the sections that originally Joe Bonamassa sang on the track and both her Sandi sounded great. Taking it down for the moment is I Owe You Zero before making some more noise with Heart Of Stone.

Another moment of reflection comes as Sandi describes the recording the next track with it's original artist, Buffy Sainte Marie and how it was a great honour to do so. It is of course Big Ones Get Away. After this beautiful performance, Sandi announces that they have a couple of special guests to join them for the next track and up hop Scottish hip hop duo Shy & DRS to perform the track Revolution before they and all but Sandi and guitarist Steve are left.

She decides at this point it’s time to come down and join the crowd and see what it’s like from where they are and then begins the background on the next track; how she was trying to impress her now boyfriend Joe Bonamassa with the next track and hoping not to murder it seeing as it was one of his. This story leads us into I Need Your Love So Bad. After this, she hops back up onto the stage as the rest of the band join her for the last and title track to her latest album, Flesh and Blood. Of course it’s not the last track as after leaving the stage for a few minutes, they’re back to sing Runaway Train with some crowd participation involved.

Overall, it's great to see Sandi back in Glasgow. She called it her first homecoming gig (with Aberdeen & Edinburgh still to go at the time) and apparently Glasgow is the only place where she has full conversations with the audience during a set. It’s always interesting to hear the songs live because they never seem to be how they were recorded in the first place, but that is the draw of seeing an artist live. She seems more content now that she is doing her own thing. And of course a mention to Carrie Mac who said that she was nervous and didn’t know why. She had no reason to be worried

Amy Macdonald @ O2 ABC Glasgow (30th October 2012)

Amy’s return to Glasgow makes her appearance at the O2 ABC exactly 2 years & 9 days since her last tour rolled into town. it should be no surprise that back in her home town, she sold out 2 nights at the venue.

Supporting her was not the Kristina Train that some had thought would have (based on a tweet from Amy herself) but was in fact Paisley based singer songwriter Michael Cassidy. Performing a number of songs in his half hour set, including Meet You At The Corner, Everybody’s Scared, Fifteen Years and forthcoming single Battleships, Michael commented that on the Sunday he had performed to only 9 people and how this performance was 200 times that and that Amy’s fans obviously had good taste in music. He also made use of the crowd cheering when one female voice continued after everyone else calm down he said ‘thanks mum’ and ‘thanks dad’ when a male voice called out too, getting a few laughs from the crowd.

It didn’t take the stage crew long to clear up and ready the stage for the main event, although when levels were being checked on the mics, there was an air that the crowd would have loved to have had a call and response with the guy checking them. Soon, an introductionary theme of bagpipes begins, the band take their positions on stage and the curtain is removed revealing a backdrop of silhouetted roads signs and telegraph poles, as the band strike up and Amy takes stage with guitar in hand, heading into the first song of the night, 4th Of July.

From this it’s straight into what probably her hardcore fans would call her debut single, Poison Prince, a song that gets the fans clapping and singing a long. Her she pauses, welcoming everyone to the night and commenting how it’s lovely to be home and how she hears of others acts commenting about how good the Scottish crowds are when the play. It’s another track from her debut album in the form of L.A. .

Spark follows and as if in progression, The Game comes next, which shows how much Amy has grown into her voice. It might have sounded good in recording, but holding the word and climbing the scale, she has the crowd enthralled. Back to album 1 and it’s one of the fan favourites Mr Rock & Roll which again starts the sing-along of which Amy’s gig do soon become. Amy reflects after this back to T in the Park, where she believe she first played the next song, commenting about people standing in a marsh, singing along and reminds them that there is probably a crowd participation moment in it. She is of course talking about Slow It Down, the first single from her current album, Life In A Beautiful Light. And the crowd doesn’t fail to deliver and nether does Amy as she seems to hit all the notes.

A slight re-arrangement on stage and Amy announces that she knows there are some hardcore fans out there that see her every time she tours, so they’ve decided to do a little acoustic set in the set. This begins with her doing a version of her track Love Love with it just her and her guitar, making it slightly different from other performances. Then we have a rare sight. Amy without her guitar for a new 2012 tour version of Give It All Up (even though it debuted on BBC Radio 2 In Concert back in July!) Guitar back again for This Pretty Face along with the band before a new cover for the tour.

She begins by saying she wishes they could show the audience what goes on back stage. So far they’ve had Shannon (keyboards) playing the piano in his pants, and having a sing-a-long to another song. But this cover made it’s appearance at her gig in Dublin for Arthur’s Day. It is indeed a cover a  Jackie Wilson’s (You Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. Reservations had been made when this cover had come to light online though it has to be said that any video of this song does not do it just as Amy threw herself into it, making it her own whilst respecting the original.

Normal service resumes as she enters into the first single from A Curious Thing in the shape of Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over, a song that gets keeps the crowd going getting clapping along. The Green and The Blue comes next and seems appropriate for her to play it in Glasgow given that it refers to Celtic and RFC 2012 (also known as Rangers). As the next song begins however, it’s obvious that many don’t seem to appreciate the finger picked first verse of No Roots as voices can be heard over Amy and it’s only once the full band start on the chorus, that voices are drowned out and order is restored.

Amy takes a moment to mention her 3rd album and it’s release; about how it reached number one in Scotland but only managed number two in the UK charts because of Gary Barlow and his Commonwealth Band and how Scotland obviously has good taste in music. She reminisces about her next track and about performing the national anthem at Hampden Park with Scotland plays. This of course leads into Pride and another chance for a clap along. The Killer’s inspired Run follows before heading into another firm fan favourite, This Is The Life, Amy working the crowd for them to sing along with her, which really they don’t need as they’re already with her. The final track of her main set comes in the title track of her current album, and tour name, Life In A Beautiful Light and has the perfect outro in it’s long instrumental at the end of the track.

The crowd chants for more and sure enough, Amy returns for her encore. Once more, she sings The Furthest Star minus her guitar, showing she’s not reliant on having it with her all the time. Taking it up a notch and back with her familiar counterpart, it’s into the resounding Barrowland Ballroom before finishing up with a Let’s Start A Band that finishes the night off where it started; on a high.

Looking back at where Amy has been and where she is now, you can see the change in her. There is more confidence in her and in her delivery. She’s grown into her voice and yes, you can hear that on her latest album, but to truly appreciate how far she has come, you have to hear her live. With a perfect balance to banter and songs, for the price of the ticket (£ + booking fee of £) you were rewarded with 20 tracks from across her three albums plus her one cover. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been taking a copy of the night home (fans have been wasted after the last tour).

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Michael Cassidy
Official Site | Facebook

Amy Macdonald
Official Site | Facebook | Amazon UK | iTunes | Official Store

Mike & The Mechanics @ O2 Academy Glasgow 27th June 2012

Last year, Mike & The Mechanics released a new album, The Road which featured a new a line up to include Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar alongside Mike Rutherford. We had a great night last year when they came to Glasgow to the Clyde Auditorium though were slightly disheartened at the turn out. This year they' returned to play the O2 Academy in Glasgow.

First of course it was the support act and this came in the form of The Strike Nineteens, a local band from Dumbarton. They performed a number of tracks including our favourite Ashes Of The Fury. They told us that they’d only be contacted 6 days prior to the gig to ask if they’d play and that usually they were a bit louder. It was different and hats off to having another great support act.

Then after a short break, the main act opened. Opening with the classic Beggar On A Beach of Gold it got all those present in the mood for the whole night. This was followed by Get Up which had both Tim and Andrew jumping up and down on the stage. Bringing it back to more recently, they next performed Try To Save Me before taking it back to 1995 for Another Cup Of Coffee.

Mike steps up to the mic to talk about how when he first started touring he just wanted to play Mechanics songs and not do any covers. Well this that has gone out the window as they perform the Genesis song Throwing It All Away, in which the audience were encourage to take part in a call and response singalong by Tim. From one cover to another…sort of, as Andrew performed his song This Generation.

Taking it down a notch, we’re treated to an acoustic set featuring the tracks The Road, A Time and Place, Everybody Gets A Second Chance and Something In The Way. From calm and sedate we’re brought back in an instant to the full production with Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground). A classic from Roachford in the form of his own song, Cuddly Toy before heading into two familiar Genesis hits in Follow You, Follow Me and I Can’t Dance.

Probably one of the most well known tracks by Mike & The Mechanics, The Living Years is next complete with sing along from the audience. The final track to be performed is All I Need Is A Miracle before the band leave the stage. Of course, like any good group it’s not the last track and their back for an encore of Over My Shoulder and Word Of Mouth once again with audience participation.

Once again, they’ve provided a great night of music. It always helps when there is a great support act before the main one and that has happened once again here. It seemed to be a good turnout although it was only the downstairs area of the venue that was being used. But despite that, all that were there seemed to have a good night. Mike & the gang didn’t stop from the moment that they came on. They seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage and of course if they’re enjoying themselves, then so too are the audience and vice versa. A great night out for what probably nowadays is a very modest ticket price (£25 + booking fees). An act that we would be going back to see again if they’re ever back up this way.

Amy Macdonald @ SWG3 Glasgow 12th June 2012

A few months ago, Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald launched the STV Appeal by announcing that she was going to undertake 5 gig in one day to raise funds for the charity. Having already been in Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling & Edinburgh, Amy’s final gig of the day was to be in her hometown of Glasgow as SWG3.

Before Amy, we were introduced to Kamina Francis, a singer/songwriter from Blackpool who played three acoustic little numbers (which included Wherever I Go and Glory Days as well as gave some good old fashioned banter to the crowd between tracks. Despite the short set, she seemed to wow the crowd (and at the end of the night was seen meeting people, having her photo taken and seemed genuinely glad people had taken to her)

Next we had a little introduction from comedian Bruce Devlin, who had also been at all 5 gigs across the day and was giving the crowd a little background information to what the money raised was going to be doing as well as making use of members of the crowd for comedy. Then he introduced the woman of the moment to the stage, making way for Amy and two other band members.

Her first offering to the Glasgow crowd came in the form of current single Slow It Down (first from the new album Life In A Beautiful Light) which provided the crowd with their first listen to her voice. And despite the fact that she’d already played 4 other gigs in the day, her voice was still going strong as if it was the first gig of the day. At the end of this, she explained that as she wasn’t having to rush off anywhere after the gig, that Glasgow was getting a slightly longer set. This lead into the first playing of the day for the track from her second album (A Curious Thing) Spark.

Next it was onto the track that according to Amy was the one that probably introduced many of those present in the crowd to her. It is of course, Mr Rock & Roll from the debut album This Is The Life. Following this, she hints that she’s got a new album out and asks if anyone’s got it. The response isn’t enthralling, but she hopes that after hearing her tonight that people will go but it. At this point members of the crowd appear to wave copies and some asks would she sign it. She answers yes. Bless her. This leads in to a wonderful rendition of her new album’s title, Life In A Beautiful Light.

She recounts a stop for during the day at McDonald’s (probably just visiting relatives) where her radio promoter apparently overheard a few policemen (Amy seems to think it was a daily meeting judging by the numbers). Apparently one was overheard saying that they recognised her and that she had a new album. When asked how they knew, he replied that they were signed up to the mailing list (we like this person already) but that he deleted it straightaway. Anyone would have thought it was panto season all over again with the boos and hissing. All this after she’s posed for photos and autographs. She announces that this next song isn’t for them and proceeds to play Love Love.

Some backstory before the next track about getting to sing the national anthem at Hamden Park for the Scottish football team…before watching them get beaten….again. It’s another track from the new album called Pride. Finally rounding the whole set off is the ever popular This Is The Life  which had the crowd going from the word go as well as a little sing along with her. And true to her word, a tired but still smiling Amy met fans afterwards signing and have photos taken.

Overall, it was a great night for a great cause and Despite having done a previous 4 gigs, Amy still managed to save some for the hometown audience and still delivered what many could have said was a first show performance. It’s a fantastic feat for her to have accomplished but sadly, we don’t think she’s going to make the Guinness World Records though it. It did however manage to raise a staggering £10,000 for the appeal. Let’s hope it’s not too long before Amy’s back gracing the UK stages in a tour of her own.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Karima Francis:
Official Site | Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

Amy Macdonald:
Official Site | Official Store | Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

Special Review: Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Baku

Yes it’s been that time of year where you’re allowed one night of cheesy music. Yes we do refer to the Eurovision Song Contest that came live from the Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 26 finalists (21 of which had to go through semi-final events first to secure their places in the finals out of the remaining 27 eligible countries. The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy automatically get entry due to the amount of money put into the EBU.) took the stage in what ended up being longer than the 3 hours viewers were advised (thank God for munchies!)

So of course, as has been for a few years now, the winning song has been performed at the start of the show. Which is actually a good thing because we struggled to remember what the 2011 winning song was (apparently it was called Running Scared…we still don’t remember it…). So after going through the usual welcoming info and explaination on how the voting worked, we we into the show. Here follows our views on each of the tracks as they were performed (country/song title / artist)…..

United Kingdom: Love Will Set You Free // Engelbert Humperdinck
To be fair, the UK don’t get a say these days in who goes to represent us and people reactions varied to sending the 75 year old crooner. Maybe they thought sending someone like him would secure the votes…It didn’t. To be honest, to open the contest, you should be opening with bright party tune that we know Eurovision produces. No, we had a ballad that sadly left us feeling like we wanted to slit our wrists too. Did appear to fail to hit a note too and that wouldn’t go without notice.

Hungary: Sound of Our Hearts // Compact Disco
Let’s not drag this out, didn’t have us enthralled

Albania: Suus // Rona Nishliu
Sounded like something possessed (or as Graham Norton, the BBC commentator said, once she had her medicine there wouldn’t be another performance like that). Did think at one point her head and shoulders had been supposed on another body.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Korake Ti Znam // Maya Sar
It was looking good while she sat on at the piano, even if she did look a little like Lady Gaga. But once she rose from the piano, it just lost the momentum.

Russia: Party For Everybody // Buranovskiye Babushki (Buranovo Grannies)
Everybody seemed to be talking about the grannies from Buranovo in Russia. The honest truth was that they were showing that age is not a barrier in this competition. You know that someone somewhere is going to put a dance to this and that it's going to be a summer hit like the Macreena...Their goal was to be able to rebuilt a church in their town that had been pulled down by Stallin...Someone start a fund and getting paying in, they deserve it!

Iceland: Never Forget // Greta Salóme & Jónsi
Personally, we could hear a bit of celtic influence to it though, their song Never Forgot sounded like it belonged in a show or a film soundtrack. Then Greta playing the violin with a smile that we swear was being remotely controlled…she smiled like a barbie doll!

Cyprus: La La Love // Ivi Adamou
La La Love had all the elements of a great Eurovision europop tracks with a great beat to dance to and a chorus that you were soon singing along to. Rated as one of our favourites.

France: Echo (You And I) // Anggun
So we've found the French Male Gymnastics team...they were with Anggun in Echo (You And I). The opening lulled us into thinking we were getting a mid-tempo track before they sped it up. To be honest, we paying more attention to the gymnasts...

Italy: L’Amore E’ Femmina (Out Of Love) // Nina Zilli
No disrepect, but it seemed that Amy winehouse had been returned in Nina Zilli with her track L'Amore E' Femmina (Out Of Love). Al she needed was a beehive bonnet...

Estonia: Kuula // Ott Lepland
Kuula (or Listen (thank you karaoke on the red button on BBC)) was a beautiful ballad performed by Ott Lepland. Enough said!

Norway: Stay // Tooji
Initially we'd be forgiven for thinking he looked a bit like Basshunter...except BH is Swedish and we know that he was *apparently* in Kilmarnock & Dunfermilne on Saturday. Another little great dance tune that Euovision has been known for.

Azerbaijan: When the Music Dies // Sabina Babayeva
The host countries entry was a slow ballad almost like an Alicia Keys number.

Romania: Zaleilah // Mandinga
It had to get the Scottish vote....It had pipes, it had an accordian, it had the lot of them doing simple dance moves. And it was a catchy song, we don't care if we understand the language or not lol.

Denmark: Should’ve Known Better // Soluna Samay
Appearing to have raided Chery Cole's wardrobe for her Fight For This Love video outfit, Soluna Samay's track was an alright pop track (but sorry Denmark, The Oslen Brother's track Fly On The Wings Of Love is still our favourite!)

Greece: Aphrodisiac // Eleftheria Eleftheriou
A country told not to win the Eurovision due the costs of hosting the show, which was probably why it looked and sounded like their singer Eleftheria Eleftheriou was miming. Sad, Aphrodisiac had Eurovision hit written all over it...

Sweden: Euphoria // Loreen
It's been no.1 in a few countries turns out that it's been available on iTunes for a while (opps!) Still, it was just Loreen and a dance routine that for most of it was just her. There is something that we don't mind hearing about this...might look more into this for a later review....

Turkey: Love Me Back // Can Bonomo
At our party two of us couldn't help thinking this track belonged in a panto and how, even though we didn't like the original singer here, how another performer could make this sound good....

Spain: Quédate Conmigo (Stay With Me) // Pastora Soler
We felt sorry for Pastora Soler (or the Spanish Celine Dion as was nicknamed at our party) as apparently they too were instructed not to win because of costs to host the event. Still, it was a great song with a great performer who could sing.

Germany: Standing Still // Roman Lob
Caused some hilarity at our party with him singing the chorus lyrics I'm standing still/I'm standing still/As you leave me now walking around the stage...emmm…

Malta: This Is The Night // Kurt Calleja
Okay, we were supporting Malta we admit. Our party have all been to Malta on various occasions,and normally they do produce a decent entry. And this year it was no different...maybe they could take Tonight's The Night over there and have this as their opening song....

F.R.Y Macadonia: Crno I Belo // Kaliopi
Norton commented that the singer Kaliopi had dropped her surname Grill for her career and that it had been a good thing as it made her sound like a restaurant. Song was good but then they brought it europop elements that ruined her voice.

Ireland: Waterline // Jedward
There was two issue with them to start with. One, we've found some missing Starlight Express outfits and two, they obviously forgot to put their fingers in the electric sockets to get their trademark hair. Again, it felt like the backing singers were doing more than the boys. They can't sing & dance at the same time…when will they learn?

Serbia: Nije Ljubav Stvar // Zeljko Joksimovic
A beautiful simple produced song that didn't rely on big instruments but kept it to a tried and tested method of building it to a climax for the finale (though their entry that won a few years ago, Prayer is still a favourite)

Ukraine: Be My Guest // Gaitana
Another dancy, electronic tune that we thought really should have been the opening to the show as a 'welcome'. Probably need a bit of work in some sections. Otherwise, an alright tune.

Moldova: Lautar // Pasha Parfeny
Sounding like it could have been pulled from The Artist soundtrack, it had a good beat for feet tapping, finger clicking and hand clapping. Although we do wonder if his trumpet is a euphemism for something else...great song to end the show

So there was the 15 minutes for the televoting (shame that the UK can’t vote by text…would be much easier!) which forms 50% of the country vote, the other 50% being decided by a panel of judges from each country. We still have no idea who it was who was performing during the counting stage. Anyway, it was onto the results. Now no matter how the EBU have tried to making the voting fairer, politics still play a part in the voting. You can tell with neighbours still voting for neighbours. As the night went on it seemed to be going between Sweden and Russia. (and some surprises along the way). In the end though, it was Sweden that came out on top with their track Euphoria. And the UK? Second to bottom…Maybe the public should decide who goes to Eurovision once again. Then they can’t blame anyone… So it off to Sweden next year (unsure whether we headed for the capital or somewhere else)

Buy album @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Buy @ HMV.com
Download @ iTunes | Download @ iTunes (Karaoke Version)

John Barrowman @ Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow 24th November 2011

There’s nothing better than finishing a 27 date tour off in your home town, and that is exactly what John Barrowman did on the 24th November as he brought his most recent tour to a close at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow.

The stage was ‘hidden’ behind a white curtain, which, when the show started, showed John’s silhouette before being dropped and launching into Celebrate followed by the equally upbeat Listen To The Music. After this Glasgow was privileged to have ‘Scottish’ John for the evening as he welcomed the audience to the show and warned that with it being the last night of the tour, there were a few special surprises instore. Here started the first of the many slide shows and jokes of the evening, starting with a promotional image of him ‘farting sparkles’ and commenting to a lady in the front row that she looked like she’d already been covered. An image of him meeting Barry Manilow was shown and he explained how after performing with him, he gave John permission to cover any of his back catalogue. This here led into the beautiful Mandy.

Talking about moving away from your home country, he mentioned about the things that you missed about the UK including the Eurovision. Here the audience were treated, along with the J4s (John’s dancers) to a medley of John’s favourite Eurovision songs. At the end of it, the J4s were supposed to be asking for permission to perform, and John refusing. We also had one of the male dancers threatening to kiss John but it wouldn’t be until they were about to take to the stage themselves, that he would strike an unsuspecting John with one. Of course, there was only one song that the J4s could do and that was Making Your Mind Up.

Returning to the stage, John performed the Gary Barlow written track, What About Us. Afterwards he asked who in the audience was there with their partners, husbands, wives, people they shouldn’t have been with before explaining that the song was a ‘greetin’ song’ before realising that Glasgow hadn’t changed because we don’t forgive anyone. This led into And I Love You So.

Taking a break, the audience were entertained by Jodie Pregner (for those who, don’t know who she is, she won the BBC show looking for a Nancy to star in the new version of Oliver!) who performed her versions of Aretha Franklin’s Respect as well as Rihanna’s Umbrella. Once again, John takes to the stage and dedicated the next song to everyone who’s supported him in anyway. From here we had Owe It All To You before leading into a Katy Perry’s Firework. Bringing the first half to the end was a performance of Take That’s Greatest Day where he invited the Royal Consertaire of Scotland (formly RSMAD) Choir on stage to join him.

Kicking off the 2nd half with the song Tonight’s The Night, he then explained about why he started the BBC1 show and how they’ve now managed to sell it to other countries around the world. The audience was then treated to a VT of Tonight’s The Night from around the world including the Ukrainian, Swedish, Chinese and Spanish versions of the show. Showing a picture of Petula Clarke led into the song Downtown. Afterwards he told the story about coming home one day to find his mother in a French Maid’s outfit waiting for his dad and what happened with that. Coming in on fancy dress, his dad was dressed as a builder whilst his mother was dressed as a policewoman. This led into party favourite, Y.M.C.A. with the audience taking part along side.

Once again, Jodie came back to the stage to give John a chance to disappear to get changed and performed Shake A Tail Feather as well as the beautiful Fields Of Gold. Another ‘greetin’ song from John in the form of You Raise Me Up before explaining about his niece Claire (who’s getting married) before inviting Jodie back on stage to perform the song So Close from the Disney film Enchanted. Another medley in the theme of holidays before ending with Hollywood.

Of course, that wasn’t the end as there was an encore. Returning back to sing the ABBA classic The Winner Takes It All (where you could have heard a pin drop when he was singing, until the end when someone’s phone went off which ruined the moment). Once again he invited the Royal Consertaire of Scotland Choir on stage to perform a medley of Scottish songs which got the audience up, singing along and hand holding along the rows. The final track of the evening was to be the one that John calls his theme, and that was I Am What I Am.

Overall, it was an enjoyable evening with laughter and tears. It was nice to have ‘Scottish’ John for the evening too and enjoyed the little extras that we got (Scott singing Rhinestone Cowboy, the choir and the medley). Is it worth seeing him? Well, I guess it depends on what capacity you enjoy John. If you enjoy him for being an all round entertainer, then yes you’ll probably enjoy the evening but if it’s only bits and pieces, then maybe not. Jodie did well to continue the show during John’s breaks and would probably be good in her own show. Still, it was a night out for Glasgow and don’t think that they disappointed.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes | Official Site

Clyde 1 Live @ SECC Glasgow 30th September 2011

On the 30th September 2011, Glasgow based radio station Clyde 1 took over Hall 4 of the SECC in Glasgow to bring a myriad of the UK’s hottest stars to stage together for one night only. So who was on the bill?

Olly Murs
First to take to the stage was Olly Murs, who despite coming second in the X-factor a few years ago, has been quite successful. He performed a few songs including Thinking Of You, Busy and current single Heart Skips A Beat inbetween talking X-Factor (seeing as he host The Xtra Factor), his new album and of course, his forthcoming tour. Overall he was good but not an act that I would rush off and see.

Sugababes
As many will probably know by now, none of the original line up remains. But Heidi, Amelle and Jade came out and performed a few past songs (About You Know, About A Girl, Push The Button) as well as new single Freedom. Sadly though, it sounded as if they were out of tune with the older songs, only being able to properly sing material since they’ve been together.

Cover Drive
This is a new group hailing from Barbados who only performed two tracks for their slot, forthcoming single Twilight and their debut Lick Ya Down. Not sure what to make of them but expect to hear more from them in the future!

Giving the stage crew time to set the stage up, presenter and DJ George Bowie took up the decks and brought the George Bowie Experience to hall 4 and got the crowd jumping and singing along.

Matt Cardle
Following George it was last years X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. Apparently he’s only been playing his new material up North. He played a solid set including his new single Run For Your Life and also constantly on guitar, which he looked more than comfortable playing.Of course there was the obligatory mention about his debut album coming out. It was good to see and hear him live and not just on the TV and it has shown he is able to play in the flesh but not someone I’d rush to see.

Nina Nesbitt
Jim Gellatlyintroduced this singer who hails from Edinburgh but has major labels chasing her. Discovered on YouTube (where she posted covers of artists including Ed Sheeran, Example and Mumford & Sons). She performed a cover of Little Lion Man before performing her own song Glue. The crowd seemed to get behind her too. Look forward to seeing/hearing more from her in the near future.

Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise Lott aka Pixie Lott came to the stage performing hit track Boys & Girls, following it closely with ballad Cry Me Out. Forthcoming single What Do You Take Me For came next (with her admitting before starting that tonight would be the first time that she had performed the track live). Debut Mama Do followed with much participation from the crowd. She ended the set with current single All About Tonight that once again got the crowd involved. Another solid set from a great young artist.

Dappy
It didn’t take much to get the crowd excited when it became obvious who the next act was going to be. Dappy (probably better known as being part of N-Dubz) came on stage. Performing only two tracks including number 1 track No Regrets, the crowd was wild including a surge forward at one point when he came down to the barrier. Not much to write home about.

Jessie J
After another short set from George Bowie, the main event of the night began with the one and only Jessie J. Starting off with a slow version of Do It Like A Dude, she suddenly burst into a full familiar version of the song, sending the crowd wild. She explain that tonight was the first time that she had performed with two shoes on after she broke her ankle a few months ago, using the excuse that Nobody’s Perfect. Dedicating the ballad Who You Are as a thank you to everyone who had voted for her for the various awards throughout the year, showed another string to her bow. Finishing the set with Domino, she invited anyone who was backstage to come join her on stage (though no one did!). But the track seemed appropriate to finish with. Even in that short space of time showed why her shows have sold out!

Looking at the event as a whole, it was interesting to see these artist together even though in general I wouldn’t go see these artist normally. Some acts could have done better and might have been better if some of the newer acts had a little more performance time. It probably didn’t help with the heat in the hall and that as as a space appeared there was a push forward as people tried to get closer to the stage. Maybe I’ve been to too many civilised standing concerts…

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Olly Murs: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Sugababes: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Cover Drive: Official Site | iTunes
Matt Cardle: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Nina Nesbitt: Official Facebook
Pixie Lott: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Dappy: Official Site | iTunes
Jessie J: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes