So far this year, my gig attendances have not been what I would consider a “proper” gig. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was the instore appearance at Mono/rail of Franz Ferdinand and tomorrow night is a “freebie.” I’ll be heading to Pacific Quay to the BBC Scotland studios to attend Roddy Hart’s Quay Sessions featuring Loudon Wainwright III and KT Tunstall.
The last time I saw Loudon Wainwright was in 2019. I was in Glasgow for Celtic Connections for a few days to attend a few gigs, namely Massive Attack at the Hydro (not part of CC from what I recall) and to see Ged Grimes’ The Bard’s Tale at the RCH. I had secured a ticket for a recording of the Afternoon Show for 30 January taking place at the Cottiers. Funnily enough, also at that recording in 2019 was Graeme Thomson, discussing his book on John Martyn. I had enjoyed the appearance and performance of Loudon Wainwright so much that afternoon that as soon as the recording was over I walked all the way back to the city centre to the RCH and booked a ticket to see him perform that night.
Now, almost 6 years to the day, I will be seeing him perform for radio once again tomorrow evening for the Quay Sessions. Along side him will be KT Tunstall. I’d have loved to have seen either of her shows at the Barras or the RCH but there is only so much I can do with my limited funds. Her Barras show sold out really quick – which is the one I would have preferred to go to. But once she was announced as a support act for the Bellahouston show, I didn’t feel so much of a need to try and get to one of her shows. This show tomorrow night will act as a great consolation for missing out on both of her Celtic Connections shows.
Come Sunday (2 Feb), the year of gigs kicks off PROPER with Field Music at Oran Mor. I really cannot wait for this. Limits of Language is on heavy rotation for me at the moment, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Peter and David knock it out the park on Sunday night.
And then from Sunday 9 Feb, it will be my Hamish Hawk treble! I’ll be at the opener of the tour at Aberdeen, then I’ll be heading to ‘The Toon’ (aka Newcastle) for my second (his third) show of the tour, and then finally for the “home town” gig in Edinburgh on Saturday 22 Feb.
On that note, last night the Roaming Roots concert for Celtic Connections, also hosted and featuring Roddy Hart, took place at the RCH. Another CC gig I would have loved to have attended as I knew Hamish was part of the lineup.
This wonderful piece of footage was recorded from last night’s show. Hamish is performing The Smiths song ‘There’s a Light That Never Goes Out.’ I’d love to hear him perform this at his own gigs. He does like to add a cover to his setlist, so let’s see what he offers in the weeks coming up.
In the meantime, enjoy this beauty!
