Music / rock
Review: Glasvegas, Thekla
Glasvegas’ murky and heartbreaking self-titled debut album jutted out of Glasgow like a glamorous beauty ten years ago. To celebrate the milestone, the band are back on the road playing the record in its entirety.
It’s clear from opener Flowers & Football Tops that these songs have stood the test of time. The overcast and miserable ballads deal with the harsh realities of growing up under a grey cloud. The lyrics still cut straight to the listeners heart; and this is evident tonight as every line is belted back by the crowd.
The band remind us just how good this record is. Frontman James Allan sounds as good as ever as he sings through his guttural Scottish accent. It’s a case of banger leading into banger and the crowd only get more animated as time goes on. Go Square Go is the pinnacle of this, which hears the entire venue chant the lyric “Here we fucking go” until long after the band have stopped playing.
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There’s an overarching sincerity behind the night; there’s no fake appreciation from the band; it’s clear they’re humbled by such a warm response after a decade. Someone in the audience yells out, “That was fucking beautiful” halfway through the night and it’s true.
It’s so easy to tap into the dark matters behind songs like Polmont On My Mind and It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry; they’re real songs written by real people. Obviously the big centrepiece of the night is Daddy’s Gone, it’s a track that defines the album.
It’s powerful to see people singing along in unison to subject matters like dads leaving their kids, social workers, young offenders facilities and getting stabbed. These songs are still very much in the heart of Glasvegas’ adoring fans. There’s no bullshit, no gimmicks, just class on show tonight.
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