George Glen

After a few acoustic duo gigs as ‘Jan & George Glen’ we decided to go bigger and thus ‘The BIG Light’ was put on! The idea is to add more sounds and players to our set. Nothing formal but a bigger sound with an eclectic set of songs and guest musicians. This was our first try out!

We started with our acoustic duo songs, then were joined by good friend Dave Paul on electric guitar for 4 bigger arrangements. Dave’s lead guitar augmented with simple looped drum patterns, some bass guitar and extra harmony vocals too. Even though we were so nervous and made lots of mistakes, it went down well and thanks to so many friends for coming out to support us. More soon!

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CHVRCHES old style electronica is not normally my cup of tea, but they are so good at it, with songs so catchy that their hooks work their way into your brain, well mine at least. Combined with Lauren’s magnetic charm and the fact they are probably Scotland’s biggest musical export just now, I had to go see.

Arriving early I managed to sneak right down the front and the great view and sound made for an immersive experience rather than sat at the back where my ticket was. Had seen support band The 9th Wave at Sneaky Pete’s and was impressed again.

CHVRCHES though, have built up their act and set to great stadium level effect. I found out I knew many more songs than I thought and really enjoyed it, more than I expected. Brilliant!

8/11 – Attended by George

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Next to last date of their tour so Kagoule were on great form, on fire in fact, the best I’ve seen them. Perfect set, perfectly played … a superb performance all round from one of my favourite bands.

Really impressed by support band, Do Nothing, from Nottingham. Next time they come around my way I’m bringing all my friends to see just how awesome Kagoule are!

9.5/11 – Attended by George

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Not really a gig review since Hadestown is a musical, but I’ve loved this music since I first heard the original album back in 2011. I’m also a big fan of writer Anais Mitchell and I’m made up for her to see her amazing folk opera grow organically from small venues in Vermont to massive mainstream production soon to open on Broadway.

Hadestown is Anais’s take on the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth, but set in depression, dust bowl America. What started out as music only performance has evolved into an elaborate stage show with dancers, amazing set and world class performers. I had read good reviews and couldn’t let the chance to see it pass me by, and I’m so glad I didn’t because it was superb, and Karen thought so too!

Though folky Americana is the style that underpins the musical, the arrangements are varied and take us through jazz and blues, always original, with great playing unforgettable melodies and poetic, moving lyrics. I, and most of the audience, knew all of the story but obviously some did not judging by the audible gasps of shock and devastated reactions from people (including Karen) at the tragic ending (no spoilers!). Absolutely wonderful. Bravo Anais!

10/11 – Attended by George & Karen

 

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Thanks to so many of our friends and new fans who came to see my band The Postcards in our first full sized headlining gig at the marvellous Old Hairdresser’s. We have put a lot of work in this year and it was fun and rewarding to manage a set of 19 songs. More rewarding was the fantastic reaction we got, so much love in the room for these old songs played by these old codgers. Looking forward to more of the same in 2019 with many more of our favourite songs, ‘the songs that saved our lives’!

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I loved The Cardigans from their first album and only when they decided to tour again did it cross my mind that I never saw them first time round … time to rectify that! Met Andy there and I said I much preferred their first 2 albums, whereas he preferred their later ones, but the plan was for them to play the whole of their most successful 3rd album, Gran Turismo … Doh!

So although they are of course great, I hardly knew any of the songs played in their 1st set, later material 2nd Set, and only in their encores did they play 2 songs, Carnival’ and ‘Lovefool’, from my favourite albums! ‘I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer’ has to be the longest song title to the best song ever! Still they sounded great and Nina Persson is in fine voice and entertaining form with everyone in the Academy in the palm of her hand. Love her! Magic!

8/11 – Attended by George & Andy A

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Not someone I had ever heard of until Andy said he was a favourite of his from Bernie’s time in Gillan … a long time ago. When I spotted he was playing Bannerman’s on his farewell tour, we just had to go see. He is a great, showy guitarist, though his heavier bluesy rock is not my cup of tea, it was worth going along to see the beaming smile that never left Andy’s face!

7/11 – Attended by George & Andy

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2 gigs in 2 nights at Andy’s instigation, this one to see the band of a friend of his, Mikey, singer and bassist of Your Reptilian Masters. A bit of a pot luck, on spec night with 3 bands I didn’t know including Glassface and The No-Things. I really enjoyed them all though and The Banshee Labyrinth is a cool place.

7/11 – Attended by George & Andy

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The Smiths being my favourite band ever obviously makes Johnny Marr my no.1 fave guitar hero. His music has always meant so much to me but the first time I saw him with his own band I was not really blown away. Well 3 albums later I think they have got a lot better and this show was a belter!

Johnny has really grown into his role as band leader and consummate rock god with attitude and big poses to spare. His singing, though not his forte, is better than ever but honestly … it’s all about that guitar playing … a glorious, joyous thing. How does he do it? So casual yet perfect. I enjoyed plenty of his new songs but he has also learned to give the crowd what they want with a magnificent 7 Smiths songs so we could sing along ‘til hoarse. He made me very happy and Jan deliriously so. Bravo!

9/11 – Attended by George & Jan