Barrowland idea

Calvin Harris to blow the roof off the Barrowland......imagine.....

Scottish music fans regularly debated the future of Glasgow's world famous Barrowland Ballroom for a number of years, particularly when the Academy and the ABC came on to the scene. There was no doubt that the number of shows at the legendary venue fell in number, but 2016 saw Barras end the year in a rich vein of form.

Teenage Fanclub, Deacon Blue, Frightened Rabbit, Twin Atlantic and Fatherson were Scottish acts who elected to have homecoming Christmas shows at the Barrowland Ballroom.

It got me thinking.....

Could the Barras have a month of Christmas shows? Turn it into a Barrowland Homecoming Festival?

It easily could. Here is the Scottish acts who could feasibly book their Christmas show for 2017 already, many would sell out instantly. Can you imagine Calvin Harris blowing the roof off the place? Paolo Nutini ripping it up and singing his heart out and going for a pint in McChuills afterwards?

Paulo could probably do a  month at the Barras on his own!

Many acts (Scottish or otherwise) still prefer two or three nights at the Barrowland than opting for a larger single show. Who can blame them for choosing the best venue in the world with the best atmosphere?!

I have let my imagination run (easily) wild and made up a few imaginary support slots/double bills just to fit a number of bands in. I guess you would have give some acts a couple of nights. Who have I missed?

Over to the venue and promoters who could make this happen....

2017 (Imaginary) Christmas Homecoming Festival at Glasgow Barrowland

Friday 1st Dec - Teenage Fanclub with special guest Edwyn Collins
2nd - Deacon Blue with special guests Justin Currie (I know from playing football with Justin Currie that he would love to play the Barrowland again - ideally with Del Amitri!)
3rd - The Twilight Sad

Mon 4th - Idlewild 
5th - The Waterboys
6th - Frightened Rabbit
7th - Twin Atlantic
8th - The View
9th - Franz Ferdinand with special guests The Vaselines
10th - Belle and Sebastian with special guests BMX Bandits

Mon 11th - Mogwai with special guests The Pastels
12th - Simple Minds
13th - Simple Minds
14th  -  Chvrches
15th - Primal Scream with special guests The Jesus and Mary Chain
16th - Travis
17th - Arab Strap

Mon 18th - Amy McDonald with special guest KT Tunstall
19th - Biffy Clyro with special guests Fatherson
20th - Biffy Clyro with special guests Fatherson
21st - Paulo Nutini with special guest Gerry Cinnamon
22nd - Paolo Nutini with special guest Gerry Cinnamon
23rd - Calvin Harris 
24th -  Calvin Harris 

27th - Texas
28th - Runrig
29th - Runrig
30th - Edinburgh Hogmanay warm up show (for whoever is heading to Edinburgh for the bells). Worked well for Primal Scream a number of years back. Failing that The Bay City Rollers

Suede - the first 4 singles

I'm heading to the Barrowlands in October to see Suede, a band reborn through the release of the album 'Bloodsports' earlier this year.

I've recently taken some time to listen back through their catalogue that contains some incredible highlights, however I'm still fondest of their early singles that I bought on 7-inch over 20-years ago. A truly remarkable collection of songs that easily stand the test of time.

Suede burst on to the music scene in 1992 with confidence and style; their outspoken and good looking front man Brett Anderson helped to earn them a Melody Maker cover in April 1992, a full month ahead of their debut single 'The Drowners'.

'The Drowners' stood out a mile when it was released, it still stands out now. The drums and guitars that open the song are almost glam like, Anderson's vocal delivery grabs your attention and gets to the chorus within a minute.

We'll kiss in his room to a popular tune

The above lyric grabbed attention, as did Anderson's quote that he was 'a bisexual man who had never had a homosexual experience'. Morrissey and Bowie both became early fans and champions of the band, with Morrissey even covering the b-side of 'The Drowners', a song called 'My Insatiable One'.

Suede seemed to be throwing down a marker, a gauntlet if you will. Classic English guitar pop taking in influences from the 60's onwards but creating a sound and look that was original and certainly miles away from either grunge or house music that was dominating the charts at the time, even Madchester/Baggie.

With a b-side good enough to be an a-side and distinctive artwork for the single, this was a band gunning for glory.

Anderson's right hand man was Bernard Butler, a young livewire of a guitarist who was generating just as much of a buzz as the frontman due to his ability and looks. The Morrissey/Marr comparisons were inescapable.

'The Drowners' did everything a debut single should do for a band aiming for the stars - it laid down a marker; the look, the sound, it was a statement of intent. It didn't matter that the single never broke the top 40, all the right people were hearing it and falling in love with it.

The follow up single was released in September 1992. 'Metal Mickey' just followed on from 'The Drowners', proving the band had more than one song up their sleeves. In many ways it follows the 'formula' of their debut; guitars and drums dominate the intro before Anderson comes in with his distinctive vocals - again getting to the chorus in well under a minute. Butler's guitar is very Marr-like with it's circling riff and he gets to let rip on a solo that recalls The Kinks due to ferocity with which he delivers it.

Ed Buller was at the helm of the production duties for all 4 of the singles lifted from Suede's debut album and he just got things bang on, totally understanding the band, the songs, their ability and the sound they were capable of. The song reached number 17 on the charts, the only way was up.

'Animal Nitrate' was Suede's third release, a month ahead of the album. By this stage Suede were riding high, darlings of the musical press and bridging the gap between indie and mainstream with ease. 

If anyone had any doubts about how sexually charged Suede were (probably not many), then they were completely banished with this song. 

Oh in your council home, he jumped on your bones

Now you're taking it time after time

Oh it turns you on, on, on, now he has gone

oh what turns you on, on, on, now your animal's gone

Well he said he'd show you his bed

And the delights of his chemical smile

So in your broken home, he jumped on your bones

Now you're taking it time after time

This time the intro started with guitar before the drums came in, with Anderson not far behind.  The difference in performance from the band from the first video to this one is marked - the confidence is there for all to see (enhanced by cocaine according to Anderson). Anderson is pouting, displaying his midriff, slapping his bum (a favourite live trick of his at the time). 

Yet again Anderson hits the chorus before the 1-minute mark, this time at a mere 45-seconds before ripping straight into the second verse, hitting the second chorus at just after 1 minute 20 seconds. This is pure guitar pop and Butler lets rip with a searing solo that builds and builds before the chorus comes in again.  The song got to number 7, getting the band into the top ten for the first time.

After 3 sensational guitar pop singles and the release of their debut album 'Suede', perhaps it was time for the band to display their talents in a different way.

'So Young', released in May 1993 was the fourth and final single released from the album (that got to number one).  It is another corker of a single and gained controversy at the time for the lyric 'let's chase the dragon'.

The song is still pop but in a different way from the first 3 singles that were rammed down your throat with hooks. This is a beautiful song, the highlight for me being the verse;

...from our home high in the city where the skyline

Stained the snow I feel for a servant who kept me on the boil

Butler's guitar cuts out and some beautiful piano comes in before building to the chorus.

We're so young and so gone, let's chase the dragon oh

This is an impeccable collection of singles. The fact that they were the first four of the bands career makes them even more remarkable.

After burning so brightly, it was almost inevitable that the light would falter. Anderson seemed to want to take the band off in a new direction - determined not to be lumped in with the Britpop momentum that ironically Suede had helped to create.

A standalone single 'Stay Together' charted at number 3, but all was not well within the Suede camp with tensions running high between Anderson and Butler to the extent that they travelled separately to shows and Butler recorded his guitar parts in isolation.

Something had to give and Bernard Butler left to go on and produce some incredible songs with David McAlmont, notably the stupendous single 'Yes'.

Anderson locked himself away in a mansion with a load of drugs; coming back with 'Dog Man Star' an album completely out of sync with the media and Britain in 1994 that was being seduced by Blur and Oasis.

The album is now largely viewed as Anderson's masterpiece. I'll leave that for another blog.

Broadcast and Glasgow music venues

Back in October, a week before it opened, I was invited for a lunchtime look around PCL’s new venue – Broadcast, formerly known as The Local.

It is a cracking little venue, the upstairs bar is very cool with it’s open brick walls and a long classy looking bar. The chef formerly worked at the Crabshakk, so they are making a big play on the food front as well. The dressing room is possibly the coolest in Glasgow (not that I have been to every dressing room to compare them all), the sound system is state of the art (courtesy of one of the venues partners) and the vibe in the basement gig/club is one of warehouse cool.

In terms of size it is pretty much the same as PCL’s previous venue, the Captains Rest. That is where the similarities end though – this is a cool and modern bar with excellent facilities, a far cry from the shabby chic of the Captains Rest.

Anyway, the visit got me thinking about the incredible number of venues packed into our city centre, we are music crazy, but can they all survive?

Broadcast is the newest venue to Glasgow, the UNESCO City of Music. The city is bursting with venues of all shapes and sizes offering live music.

Have I covered them all?

Barrowlands – the legendary Barrowlands has been hosting live music and dancing for decades. I have experienced some of the best nights/gigs of my life in this venue, bouncing on the hallowed sprung dancefloor and singing along with all my heart. I would always encourage a touring band to choose the Barrowlands over the Academy any day of the week purely for the atmosphere a Barrowlands crowd can generate. There is also the small Barrowlands 2 downstairs.

McChuill’s – Just along the road from the Barras is one of my fave pubs in Glasgow and it also offers live music. There are worse places a new band could play as McChuills is a big music pub, especially keen on vintage mod sounds.

Maggie Mays – Despite being at (what some would call) the ‘wrong end of town’. Maggie Mays has built a good reputation for live bands and indeed has won awards. They have invested money in the downstairs basement to keep up with the competition and have a friendly and pro-active approach to bookings.

13^th Note – I have fond memories of the 13^th Note as it is where I put on my first gigs as a promoter with Futuristic Retro Champions. Brendan O’Hare (former drummer with Teenage Fanclub) used to be the sound engineer which was an added bonus. The great thing about the Note was that if they made a certain amount at the bar (it used to be over £200) then you got the venue for free! So if you pack it out you can make a considerable amount of money.

Mono – An under-used venue in my opinion. I love the whole vibe of Mono, proudly independent, it has a record shop, Stephen Pastel works there…I just wish it did more and invested in a backline and PA system in order for more bands to play there.

St Andrews in the Square – Gorgeous building where my wife and I had our wedding. I caught Rachel Sermanni here back in January and it tends to mainly be used for Celtic Connections, weddings and ceilidhs.

Old Fruitmarket – Cracking venue with bags of character where I once stood next to Sean Lennon after he supported Air circa 2001.

Merchant City Halls – This isn’t used very regularly for the typr of gigs I go to but I did catch Joanna Newsom playing there and it was incredible, brilliant sound and acoustics.

Classic Grand – The upstairs hall looks fantastic, it isn’t used a great deal and they do seem to be putting on lots of metal and industrial nights.

The Arches - Definitely more suited to club nights than gigs due to the fact the sound can 'escape' from one arch into another, but still a brilliant venue with a real atmosphere. The Cafe Bar is a great place to hang out.

Subclub – Doesn’t put on as many gigs as it used to. I once caught The Kills there and my mate was lucky enough to see Franz Ferdinand. A Glasgow institution.

Pivo Pivo - Despite being close to Stereo, the Old Hairdressers and The Arches, Pivo Pivo isn't deemed particularly cool. That doesn't stop them putting on gigs practically every night though. More suited to new bands rather than established.

Stereo - a great venue for bands and club nights, cheap to rent with an excellent sound system. Great bar upstairs as well. I've put on a few nights here, good capacity so real scope to make money.

Old Hairdressers - Across the lane from Stereo, the Old Hairdressers is a multi-purpose art space for shows, club nights and bands. Great vibe.

The Admiral - Good basement for club/band nights, more suited to the former if honest. Holds the cracking Melting Pot night.

Flat 0/1 - great concept - a party flat with great tunes, live music and pretty cheap booze. If only they could invest in a decent sound system (note - they may have done since I was last in). It is definitely all about the vibe in here rather than quality sound. Home of MILK and some of Glasgow's coolest students.

Bloc - a party pub since it opened that made a name for itself in music with a little help from Detour, LAID and the Blochestra sessions. Always friendly and happening with excellent independent promoters like Gerry Blythe from New Life.

Slouch - competing with Flat 0/1 and Bloc for cool new music wasn't going to be easy and although Slouch tried for a while they are now distancing themselves by going for covers, blues and the odd young band that isn't cool enough for the other two. Good pub grub.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - the grandest setting in Glasgow? Brilliant sound and acoustics, I always enjoy nights in here.

Sleazy’s - a Glasgow institution with its basement venue having played hosts to pretty much everyone that has ever done anything of note in the Scottish music scene and beloved of guests from across the waters. 

Broadcast - as mentioned at the start of this article, the new PCL venue to replace the Captains Rest. 

The Box - still going strong by offering free music 7-nights a week, also branching out into comedy.

The Art School - the rebranding of Capitol to The Art School has totally changed the perception of this venue, sadly I wasn't particularly impressed with it when I co-booked it for a show earlier this year. Despite selling it out 6-weeks in advance and warning the management to have enough bar staff on they didn't bother their asses. With Sleazys and Broadcast just across the road it will be interesting to see how the Art School competes on a live music front.

The Garage - servicing students for decades, I used to go clubbing there when I was a mere teenager. One year in the mid-90's i saw Radiohead touring The Bends, The Boo Radleys with Wake Up Boo and The Bluetones. It doesn't host as many gigs as it once did but it still packs an impressive punch when it does.

G2 - the smaller venue of The Garage

CCA - I love the CCA, it is still pretty under-used in terms of gigs and club nights. I did catch a fantastic performance from Gerry Love's Lightships earlier in the year. Great bars and vibe.

ABC & ABC2 - The ABC is a world class venue. The set up is just pretty perfect for a gig; large wide stage, bar at the back, wee bar at the side, easily accessible toilets (take note Academy), balcony with another bar....sound system is great too. Near enough replicated in minature form with ABC2.

Oran Mor - I do like Oran Mor. The stage is nice and high, the sound is good, it is handy for the underground and loads of other lovely bars nearby. 

Brel - One of my fave bars in Glasgow and I've seen some cracking gigs in there too, notably Remember Remember earlier this year.

SWG3 - Super cool arts venue suitable for gigs and club nights. Old skool warehouse vibe.

Jim Lambie's Poetry Club - in an old railway arch next to SWG3 this is hush, hush cool for now (still no website or Social Media). Invite only for gigs and parties. They don't even have a website. Thankfully my sisters band TeenCanteen were invited to play and it is an incredible venue, really cool.

King Tuts - My fave venue, I wonder how many gigs I have been to in here?! Highlights over the (almost 20) years of going there include; Beck (just after 'Loser' was released), The White Stripes, Arthur Lee & Love (twice), John Squire (when he opened with the instrumental of 'Resurrection') and many, many more.

The Academy - I've been to some good gigs here but the Barrowlands pisses all over it for me. The lack of toilets on the ground floor for guys is just ridiculous. That said it sounds brilliant and it has a certain charm, I guess I am a little blinded by my love for the Barrowlands and the fact The Academy has robbed the Barras of some cracking gigs.

SECC - Huge, cavernous and inpersonal...but necessary for bands of a certain standing. I have still been to some  exceptional gigs here, notably U2, Dylan in an all-standing arena, Neil Young and The Who. Also has the Armadillo next door where I once went to see Kylie and got a seat 3-rows from the front - happy days!

The Hydro/SHAG - Coming soon, looking good and will be capable of bringing some huge names and shows to Glasgow.

Five for Friday 16/12/11

This weeks 5 for Friday may well be one of the strongest yet.

We kick off with 'Sugar Man' by Sixto Rodriguez, a track I discovered on a compilation album by the DJ David Holmes, a man with fantastic taste in music.

David Holmes also creates his own music and this is probably my favourite track of his, although '69 Police' runs it close.

This reminds me of a crazy week in 2001/2 when Lynn and I went to about 5 gigs in the space of a week, including a couple of really wild ones that went on to all night parties. I think David Holmes was at the QMU on the Thursday, Basement Jaxx was on the Friday night at the Barrowlands and that led to a party and me getting home at 7am, spending the day in bed and getting up at 5pm going to McChuills, sinking a few pints and then going to see the Stereo MC's. I burnt myself out.

I also remember queueing for the cloakroom at the Barras and someone started the chant 'Where's My (Ma) Jacket?' to the tune of 'Where's Your Head At?'

This is a beast of a track, so powerful in a club or live and the Jaxx team sure knew how to put on a show. Here is a live version from Glastonbury.

We end  with another act I caught at the Barrowlands in 2001, Orbital. This is the quite magnificent 'Chime'.

The Charlatans at Glasgow Barrowlands 14th May 2010

Last night The Charlatans celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of their debut album Some Friendly with a gig at Glasgow Barrowlands, a venue that they hold close to their hearts.

The night started in one of my favourite bars in Glasgow - McChuills in High Street, where I met my brother and friend Craig. A few weeks previously I had sent Tim Burgess a message asking if he would make a playlist for McChuills, knowing that a lot of Charlatans fans would be going there beforehand.

A cd arrived courtesy of Tim's friend Nick who is also friends with Craig and Dale also showed up, The cd contained tracks from 20-years ago, Loaded by Primal Scream, Groove Is In The Heart by Deelite, Ride On Time by Blackbox and many more besides. A few pints were enjoyed in good company before we headed off to the Barrowlands, meeting Lynn outside, to catch The Ray Summers as support, who Craig just happens to manage.

The band were on at 8pm sharp and played a punchy 25-minute set, high on energy and enthusiasm. The crowd began to fill up after a couple of songs with many taking the time to come down the front to check The Summers out. The third song in was The Valley that immediately caught my attention and must surely feature on a forthcoming release at some point soon. 

It says a lot for The Ray Summers growing confidence that they looked at home on stage at the Barrowlands. They are extremely tight and their ability to twist and turn songs completely around halfway through is pretty unique.

It was then on to the build up to The Charlatans, with the same cd being played that was played in McChuills earlier. The band were in no mood to hang around and took to the stage shortly after 9pm, just after my sister arrived to ensure an Easton family outing!

It may be 20-years since the release of Some Friendly, but Tim Burgess really hasn't aged much at all. He was wearing a 1990-esque style baggy t-shirt and his hairstyle may have changed numerous times over the years, but his cheeky grin and warm enthusiasm remain the same.

You're Not Very Well opened proceedings, a sold out Barrowlands getting into the mood easily and quickly. Next up was a special moment for me as the band went into the pop groove of White Shirt, one of my favourite Charlatans songs, yet one I had never seen them play live before in my 16-years of attending their gigs - 26 by my reckoning!

It's a brilliant song and Tony's hammond riff blasted out effortlessly, Time shimmied like it was 1990 and the band locked into a groove, it was all over too soon.

I was expecting the band to play Some Friendly in order, go off and come back on and do some hits, but The Charlatans are always a band full of surprises. As if to highlight how prolific and consistent they have been through the years and certainly around the period of Some Friendly the band raced through non-album singles, b-sides and EP's alongside album tracks. Playing for a full 90-minutes before going off and returning for an encore.

The highlights were many, with the band looking like they were really enjoying revisiting some songs that they can't have actually played for 20-years or so. Me In Time, Over Rising and Happen To Die stood out, yet it wasn't surprising to see the venue going crazy for Then and The Only One I Know.

In between bouncing about like a loony during the latter I turned around to see the hall lit up and the bouncing and dancing was taking place from front to back. It's a true classic and the chorus 'everyones been burned before, everybody knows the pain' was sung heartily and the band enjoyed a tremendous ovation afterwards.

Flower from the album was another real highlight, slowing the pace down 'don't bring me flower to my bed, she got what she deserved'. Tim was in great form, playing to the crowd, the rhythm section of Martin and Jon were as tight as brothers, Tony was revelling in the hammond orientated material and Mark on guitar was creating soundscapes with his effects.

Can't Even Be Bothered was the only non Some Friendly era track played the entire night, I imagine it must have been written around then. It's slow groove kept everyone dancing, in fact groove is a word you could apply to the vast majority of Charlatans tracks from this (or indeed any other) era. It was a time when people lost their inhibitions and danced.

Sproston Green rounded things off in true style, with the famous sprung dancefloor in the Barrowlands taking a hammering.

Walking towards the train home  my brother and I talked about the consistency of The Charlatans material. To play for so long from one period, with so many good tracks takes some doing. In truth, the band could do this with pretty much any period from their career. A band with a special place in my heart.

LCD Soundsystem @ Glasgow Barrowlands, 29th April 2010

This was a gig to savour.

The night started in one of my favourite Glasgow bars - McChuills on High Street. I don't go in nearly as often as I used to but some things never change and that is a good thing. Martin from Figure 5 working behind the bar, old Ted wandering around, good music, Barca v Inter on the TV and a nice couple of pints.

As the second half was kicking off we wandered around to the Barrowlands. Why bands play the soul-less O2 Academy over the Barras I will never know. The Barras combined with an up for it Glasgow crowd make an unrivalled combination.

We'd just got a beer from the can stall (Carlsberg unfortunately) and went down stage right when the lights dimmed and the band walked on stage shortly after 9pm.

The band launched into the funk disco groove of 'Get Innocuous' with James Murphy's cowbells taking an early battering. The line-up consisted of Murphy on vocals (with a nice 1920'2/30's style mic), bass, guitar, drums and keys/synths. With occasional assistance for Murphy on percussion.

Murphy then warmed the Barrowlands audience by saying 'tonight and tomorrows show is dedicated to Optimo' the legendary club night that has just finished at the equally legendary SubClub.

'Us v Them' was next up and the band turned things up a notch. Dry ice filled the stage and there was minimal lighting, the sole light bouncing off the classic Barras disco ball, creating just the right 'warehouse party' vibe. The groove developed into something quite special with Murphy calling out the repetitive 'Us....and them' vocal line as if he was making a political statement.

A fast version of 'Daft Punk Is Playing At My House' followed before 'Yr City's A Sucker' went back into classic LCD disco funk groove territory. Two new songs followed including current single 'Drunk Girls' that sees the band come across like a 60's garage band.

Next up was a real highlight and one of my favourite songs from recent years 'All My Friends'. The crowd responded to this excellent song that dips, flows and soars with an infectious guitar line, and when Murphy sang 'if i could see all my friends tonight, if I could see all my friends tonight' he was quite literally singing to the crowd.

Another new song 'I Can Change' highlighted Murphy's talent for melody and harmony and there was almost a Beach Boys type vibe at times to the song. 'Tribulations' and 'Movement' followed before a ferocious 'Yeah' enveloped the crowd with it's funky groove. Growing and flowing with the crowd bouncing along. This was an epic and we were watching and listening to something truly special.

The cheer and applause afterwards rang out heartily and it wasn't long before the band came back on, Murphy coming on a couple of minutes after them to take the deserved acclaim. 'Someone Great' got the band and crowd quickly back into the swing of things before the outstanding 'Losing My Edge' sent the crowd wild.

Murphy looked visibly moved and said that 'this is the best venue in the world and we'll always play here when we come to Glasgow. It's the right size for a party and if we have to play 3 or 4 nights we will.'

'All I Want' brought the crowd down gently before a gorgeous 'New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down' showed that Murphy could right ballads for Sinatra.

A truly special gig.

Set list at http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/lcd-soundsystem/2010/the-barrowland-ballroom-glasgow-scotland-4bd4ef1a.html

April musings

Well it is 21st April and I've not been to a gig in Glasgow yet this month.

I have ventured to Bathgate and Edinburgh, but finances, work and other mundane things have meant that I haven't been out and about much.

That is about to change, starting with a trip to the good old 13th Note this week to catch Miaoux Miaoux and Dead Boy Robotics as part of a Glasgow Podcart night.

One of the great things about the 13th Note (and there are many) is that it is cheap to hire. If you make a certain amount at the bar then the venue hire (including soundperson) is free. So that allows new bands coming through the chance to put on their own night and either make some money, or not lose that much! The booker (ex-Teenage Fanclub drummer Brendan O'Hare) is also very reliable.

The Glasgow Podcart have been a welcome addition to the Glasgow music scene. Their enthusiasm and knowledge of music is infectious and who knows where their little venture could take them.

Next week I will be heading to Glasgow Barrowlands to see one of my favourite bands/acts of current times - the majestic LCD Soundsystem. I was lucky enough to catch them at the Barras several years ago when Too Many DJ's/Soulwax were supporting. My memories of that night are a little hazy as it was a messy affair, I just remember dancing my socks off!

In other news I'm excited by the prospect of seeing Martha Reeves & The Vandellas perform Motown classics like 'Heatwave', 'Nowhere To Run', 'Jimmy Mack' and 'Dancing In The Streets' at The Arches in the summer. Although I am sure the £26 ticket will be well worth it, I am having to wait until payday to buy one.