Glasgow has FINALLY hit on a run of warm, sunny weather. Yay! Just in time for two of the best gigs. The first of which happened last night at St Luke’s where Brooke Combe was playing the first of two nights at the venue.
I think I had one of my most enjoyable queuing sessions yesterday. The sun was out and streaming on the doors of St Luke’s. The steps out front were bathed in sunshine. I arrived just a little after 6pm, shocked to find there was only one guy there ready to form a queue. We got chatting and were quickly joined by a young woman. Shortly after that others joined and there was a lot of banter in the sun making the time pass ever so quickly. Before I knew it, it was nearly 7pm and open doors. I’d been sitting on the steps and so got myself up ready for the doors to open. Not one minute later the staff opened them up and we were in. I was first into the auditorium and grabbed my spot at dead centre.
I was very excited to see Alice Faye again after her recent ordainment as BBC Introducing’s Scottish Act of the Year 2026. She played a short solo set of six songs. Sadly there was no Angeline performed and the crowd could have been more appreciative of her – but what are you gonna do? She’s on a small tour of Scotland in September, so if you’re interested in seeing what all the fuss is about you can catch her at Irvine Harbour Arts Centre, Stirling Tolbooth, Drummonds in Aberdeen, Montrose Playhouse, as well as a full band show at La Belle Angele in Edinburgh (all other dates are solo shows). Her style of music is not always my bag. It can lean a little too much into folk at times, but I find her an infectious raconteur and utterly enchanting as a result. Thus I am contemplating a show.
There was a second support in the form of Donegal blues/country artist Muireann Bradley. A very talented young women with incredible guitar skills. She performs OLD blues – like the old 1930s blues. Think … Sun House, Memphis Minnie, Blind Lemon, etc. Here she is performing a song first recorded by Blind Blake in 1929 (that’s almost a century ago!) called ‘Diddy Wah Diddy.’ The crowd seemed to more swayed by her. It’s a shame that Alice couldn’t induce the same interest but I am glad they paid more attention to Muireann.
On to the main attraction and … what can I say about Brooke, man?! She’s got the patter, the voice, the moves, the gallus, the swagger! As I said on my Facebook after a got home last night – This wummin is fucking BRAW!
There were singalongs. There was a point where her mum was on video phone looking at us all loving her daughter. There was a bit of Baccara’s ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ (and if you know what that means to the Scots, you’ll get it). She brought her ‘A-Game’ and the crowd lapped it up. Real soul – that’s what this girl has got. And the gallus to bring out a song called ‘Leave Me The Fuck Alone,’ which also became a singalong by the way. Aw, it was just pure magic.
Mid set – a chair was brought out on stage. Brooke took a seat and just performed with her guitarist/boyfriend. She said some guy from some trouser company moaned to her about doing this in her set. The fucking GALL of the guy! What a cheek, man. To hear her voice like that, just accompanied by guitar – it was amazing!
Anyway, it was a fab night. I’m still buzzing all these hours later (the next afternoon). I wish I could go back tonight – but it’s sold out and I wouldn’t have the energy – although the upstairs WOULD be an option.
Next up is the HIGHLY anticipated comedy gig from Craig Ferguson on Sunday. Yaaaaaas man!
- The photo on the home page link is of the wee St Luke’s stamp on my wrist. I think it’s cute they have a branded stamp to put on people for shows.
