Gerard Love at Stereo

Of all the stars I've ever seen

You're the sun

Is it co-incidence that the sun is shining in Glasgow the morning after Gerry Love's first full band show in the city for years? 

Personally, I think Gerry's songs could brighten and warm the darkest of days. We've had our fair share of them recently. The 2023/24 winter was particularly wet, dark, cold and stormy. Now the clocks have gone back, the nights are getting lighter and spring may finally be in the air.

Around 300 people squeezed into the basement of Stereo in central Glasgow to banish the winter blues, lovingly warmed by support band National Park. 

How on earth did this band pass me by? Led by John Hogarty, who has been in and around the Glasgow scene for decades, they played a brilliant set. There were guitar sounds similar to Galaxie 500 and The Velvet Underground, with maybe the odd vocal nod to The Go-Betweens. Early research and conversations last night indicates that they only played the odd show and sporadically released singles on various labels. So I guess I can be excused for missing out on them. Hopefully they will be playing again soon.

National Park by Ruthie Blaney

On to Gerry, going under his Sunday name with a crack band consisting of Tom Crossley (flute, xylophone and other goodies), Noel O'Donnell (drums and backing vocals), Dave McGowan (guitar) and Bob Kildea (bass). 

They started cooking up the goods from the off, bursting into Hang On and then taking the room on a sonic journey through his back catalogue; sprinkling some Lightships here, a new song there and one of his Fanclub classics everywhere.

90-minutes absolutely flew by! I've been fortunate to catch Gerry playing stripped back show in a variety of venues over the last couple of years, but seeing and hearing him with a full band was a delight.

Photo by Vivienne Wilson

Girasol was dreamy and blissful, Fallen Leaves sounded even better live than on record, there was just the right amount of rawness to it. Muddy Rivers was gorgeous, the band jammed on at the end. Don't Look Back was sublime and after the first of 4 new songs there was  a double header of Take The Long Way Round and Going Places. Wow! Gerry and co were spoiling us! 

Love has a romantic soul and that really shines in Sweetness In Her Spark. I love the lines; this old heart is beating for her, sweetness in her spark, it's gonna take me away. Gerry and Dave's guitars gelled superbly and as for Tom Crossley, well, he is a special talent and brings so much to Gerry's songs.

Star Sign was stunning, a cover of He'd Be A Diamond was power pop perfection, while Love's 3rd new song may well be in the running for his first single from his forthcoming album. I kind of like the idea of it being released under the name of Gerard Love. 

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

There was still so much more to come. There were so many lovely smiles on stage and in the crowd. Thin Air was delivered with pace, style and passion. Meanwhile, Silver and Gold was one of my highlights of the night. Gerry's voice was truly beautiful and Noel O'Donnell's harmonies throughout the set were absolutely perfect.

Ain't That Enough had everyone singing along, while the power pop perfection of Sparky's Dream was the perfect way to send everyone home or up to the bar to discuss the show.

Gerard Love is a phenomenal talent. I'm not sure what Dave and Bob's plans are with TFC and B&S later this year, but I hope there is room in their calendars to play some more shows with Gerry.

Roll on the album.

Here are a few more photos courtesy of Ruthie.