Cloth (+ Zoe Graham) – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow – 08/11//2025

As the weather gets more dreich and the nights get longer, I naturally begin to feel less inclined to venture out of the house, especially at night for gigs – as much as I love going to them. 

As it was, some weeks earlier I had decided to abandon going to one gig that I had bought a ticket for. Nation Of Language having changed the venue of their gig from St Luke’s to SWG3. Had the venue been SWG3 from the off, I wouldn’t have invested in a ticket. The disappointing thing is they changed venues probably just for a handful more ticket sales. They didn’t sell out the venue but would have easily sold out St Luke’s. Isn’t that one of the goals for live touring bands – to sell out venues? I tried to sell my ticket as a resale – at a reduced price but there were no takers. So I feel Nation Of Language (more like their promoters, I guess) stuffed up there. I’d have loved to have seen them again. Oh, well.

In light of this decision not to go to the NOL gig, it left the weekend free for me to go to another gig. About 6 weeks ago, Cloth (who I had seen at Fringe by the Sea supporting Hamish Hawk and Billy Nomates) had announced the support for their short tour of the UK as Zoe Graham. After seeing them at FBTS I was already interested in seeing them again. This announcement sealed the deal. To be fair, I probably had initially knocked the idea of going to the gig on the head due to NOL. But now I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to that show (damn the loss of a ticket, FFS). I really wanted to see Cloth again, and they were playing King Tut’s. A venue I’d only been to once so far and was keen to experience again. 

As I said earlier, as the days draw in, I get less inclined to want to go out for gigs. So much so, I nearly talked myself out of going on Saturday night. I had to sell it to myself – Come on! The weather’s looking pretty good. You’re not gonna get pissed on. King Tut’s is quick to get to from Charing Cross. Cloth were great at FBTS. AND – Zoe’s playing! It’ll be fab. If you don’t go, you’ll miss a great gig – and TWO gigs in one weekend! Don’t let that happen. And so, I went.

And yes…it’s a piece of piss getting to King Tut’s from Charing Cross station, even when navigating your way down a road with a frigging sink hole in the middle of it (Elmbank Street the latest in a scarily increasing number of Glasgow streets affected by sink holes).

It was a relaxing night. I got to King Tut’s around 7pm. There’s a cool vibe there. The bar area was half-full and there was anticipation already evident from the patrons. I waited about like a lost lamb. As much as I don’t mind going to gigs on my own (at least once the gig itself is underway and I don’t feel like I’m ignoring my mates when concentrating on the acts on the stage), waiting for ‘doors open’ can feel a little ‘Sally nae pals’ when on your lonesome. Thankfully it wasn’t long until doors opened.

I waited around right near the doors as I wanted to get in early. I had the mind to get myself a seat. I knew there was seating at the back near the sound desk but I wanted to get a prime spot. I thought I’d be needing a seat as I knew the stage was low and there wasn’t any pillars or anything like that to prop myself up against. So many gigs I’ve been to lately have been at venues with low stages and no barriers near the front. Without a barrier to help keep me propped up, I struggle to stand at the front. It does aggrieve me, but that’s what happens when you’re an old, fat fucker with shitty legs. 

I grab a spot and as I’m looking toward the stage to make sure it’ll give me a decent view I take in that – holy shit – THERE’S A BARRIER! And, there was a space there right at the front, dead centre. Fuck it! I’m going down there. So off I went and planted myself in that middle spot. Hurrah to King Tut’s and their barrier! 

I love that there is an electronic clock visible at the side of the stage at King Tut’s. You can count down the time the acts are due on stage. It adds to the anticipation. I can remember watching it like a hawk (no pun intended) for Hamish’s gig. It was beiling that night. He wasn’t due on until midnight. I mean, what a first gig to experience at King Tut’s? Hamish Hawk as a midnight special. It was awesome and LOUD! 

I watched that clock anticipating seeing Zoe again, playing right in front of me. Unlike her headline show at the Hug and Pint in September where she had a full band, she was performing solo with a backing track on Saturday night. It didn’t make it any less entertaining for it! She was fabulous! I recorded ‘Evilin’ – which was a cracking version and OMG did I blush like mad from that move she makes on the first run of the chorus! But I also grinned like a Cheshire cat too. She also performed stellar versions of ‘Push and Pull,’ ‘Shift This Feeling,’ ‘Even Though I’m Scared,’ ‘I Only Ever Loved Yous’ and ‘Divine Feminine Energy.’ It was a great set.

Cloth were absolute class. I’m still not completely au fait with knowing their material but they performed about 15 songs during a 70 minute set. They were relaxed, sounded GREAT and were very appreciative of their supportive home crowd. Their set went down a storm with the crowd – which was RAMMED by the way. The gig had sold out and it was evident that every ticket holder showed up. I captured ‘Polaroid’ – a track off their SAY Award shortlist nominated album, Pink Silence. They performed several tracks from the album, including ‘Golden’ and the title track. 

Speaking of the SAY Awards, I’m absolutely GUTTED Hamish didn’t win with A Firmer Hand, or that Zoe didn’t win with TENT. I genuinely thought Hamish or perhaps Brooke Combe would win it. I’d never even heard of Kai Reesu – not that that means anything but…

I grabbed a ‘Cloth sloth’ t-shirt at the merch stall and said a brief hello to Zoe and was off back home. I decided to walk to Queen Street station to save all the waiting around at Charing Cross and running the risk of missing connecting trains. I wearily walked along St Vincent Street assured I’d get home alright. As I got to the intersection with Renfield Street, I checked the time – 22:25. There’d be a train just after half ten – could I make it? I tried to hurry myself a bit. Legged it up West Nile Street, turned on to Nelson Mandela Place, cut across Buchanan Street, down Dundas Lane. I rush through the doors looking at the board with all the destinations listed on it, straining to see Ashfield on the list. It was 22:32. I get to the main board. No Anniesland train listed at the left and I see a train pulling out from platform five. Faaaaaaark!! I just fucking missed it! You arse! Oh, well. The next one is at 23:01 – not long to wait. Queen Street was hoachin for that time of night. Hadn’t seen it so busy at that time of day for a while. Lots of staggering bodies, swallied up to the eyeballs. A great night out.

Next up gigwise is Ist Ist. It’s been a long wait to see them again after that May bank holiday gig in Edinburgh. Looking forward to it!

P.S. Every time I wear this jumper (below) I get at least ONE positive comment from someone, telling me how much they like it. At King Tut’s there were TWO women who complimented me on it. People love this thing!