Hamish Hawk:
Again, it really is of little surprise that Hamish is here on this list as well. He is the artist I saw live the most number of times this year, having ventured to six live events involving him and/or his band. First was on 16 February – my first time seeing him as a headline act at St Luke’s in the East End. I was back at the East End at the end of the month when he made an in-store appearance at the Blitzkrieg Shop on London Road, signing copies of his newly released Angel Numbers album. Much to my disappointment, I couldn’t get to see Hamish anywhere else during those early dates when initially promoting Angel Numbers. So when it was announced he’d be playing the MacArts venue in Galashiels, I knew I had to go. It was a fabulous afternoon and evening in Gala. I even made it back to Edinburgh in time for my connecting coach back to Glasgow in the wee hours – even if said coach ride home was a bit hairy and I witnessed the inhalation of some white powder by a couple of boozed-up guys sitting in front of me (their seats were facing me – hence I sore the snorting). That night Hamish told me they’d be playing a special midnight gig at King Tut’s and I knew that had to be my next opportunity to see him. Up til then, I hadn’t been to a gig at the iconic venue and what better way to pop my King Tut’s cherry than to see Hamish there. That was also a top night. Still running on the adrenaline of their TRNSMT appearance earlier in the day, the guys were well up for the midnight special. Finally in August there were two further gigs. One was a free event. Hamish was providing the evening’s musical entertainment at the World Cycling Championships that took place across Scotland (but was based in Glasgow, with the majority of racing events taking place in the city) in August. It was probably the easiest and most stress free and relaxing of the gigs. Just the cost of an off-peak train ticket to Queen Street and a walk across the road to George Square. Simple as that. Lastly was the chance of finally killing another two birds with one stone and to travel to Blackpool to see him during August Bank Holiday weekend. It was both mine and the OHs first time to Blackpool and we had a fabulous weekend – bar a stressful return to Glasgow.
As a result of all this, I am struggling to pick a single one of the gigs out. They were all great for varying reasons. In fact, I just sat here and pondered again, trying to make my mind up. If push came to shove, I probably would have to pick the St Luke’s gig because it compounded and cemented all that I felt about him having seen him support Simple Minds at Princes Street Gardens the previous August. Also him performing Thank You For Sending Me An Angel that night was just flipping fabulous too.
Ian Moss – Oran Mor 10/06/2023
Right up there as one of the best gigs for the all-round package of venue, crowd vibe and artist performance. Cold Chisel were all but over as a band when I hit my teens and although both Moss and Jimmy Barnes went on to have very successful solo careers, I was not one for going to gigs when I lived in Australia. I had only seen a handful of gigs in the 28 years I lived there and I have seen far more gigs in the past 10 years than I had done during the previous 40+ years of my life. When I saw that Ian Moss was coming to the UK and was going to be playing in Glasgow; one – I couldn’t quite believe it, and two – I knew I had to go. Money being as it is these days, I put off buying a ticket for AGES. I say ‘buying’ a ticket. I was able to use a voucher I had earned from taking part in a survey so I only needed to pay the booking fee. He was phenomenal. Just absolute class. Incredible guitar playing and a faultless singing voice. It was a gig par excellence. It was an absolute privilege to see one of Australia’s finest musicians.
Warm Digits – The Old Coal Yard, Newcastle 08/07/2023
I love these guys so much. I have been a fan of them for a long while now and try to see them every chance I can get. I was over the moon to have two opportunities this year. Once in Hartlepool in May (during the King’s Coronation weekend) and again in their home town of Newcastle in July. Again, it’s quite difficult to choose between the two gigs. They both had really good vibes for different reasons. I really enjoyed my time away in Hartlepool. Again, it was a first experience. I hadn’t been there before. I always love my time in Newcastle. Geordie Toon feels like my home away from home these days. I’m already dreaming of my next visit there. So, if I were to go purely by performance and sound on the night, the Newcastle gig pips it.
Sparks – SEC Armadillo 26/05/2023
The date was significant for this gig as it was the day of release of their newest album, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte. They showcased several songs from the album but also filled the set with plenty of hits, as well as some obscure tunes too. My highlight was hearing When I’m With You live – as I had NEVER expected them to perform it. Their support, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, was also one of the best support acts I’d seen. Russell as a front man still has energy to burn and the crowd just loved every minute of the gig. It had such a great atmosphere and the band was TIGHT! They were utterly fantastic.
The Anchoress – Union Chapel 06/10/2023
I was disappointed that I didn’t have more opportunities to see The Anchoress this year. She had initially advertised her gigs to be in two different musical elements with the earlier spring dates being the full band electric set of gigs and the autumn dates to be acoustic sets. I really wanted to see a full band set but I just couldn’t get to any of the spring gigs. Things with uni were too full on and I couldn’t take the time away to travel that far away for a gig. I think the nearest gig to here was in Yorkshire somewhere, I think? I’d have to check those dates. I bought a ticket for the Edinburgh date as soon as I could after it was announced. And then when the Union Chapel date was added, I knew I HAD to go to that show as well. I pleaded with the OH to allow us to get the tickets and travel down to London to see the gig together. It was absolutely stunning. As much as I enjoyed the Edinburgh show – and the Edinburgh show was fantastic too – Union Chapel just seemed to go up a notch. Catherine was in her element that night. I hadn’t seen her perform with such command of the stage but with such comfort and ease in her own skin. It was the most exhilarating thing to witness. And even when at the end of the show, it overwhelmed her and her emotions flowed, it only served to make it even more special seeing what it had all meant to her. That performance will stay with me a long time.
Special mentions:
The Lemon Twigs – SWG3 29/05/2023
Nation Of Language – QMU 16/06/2023
