My 2016 gig season kicked off on 1^st February in Glasgow’s SSE Hydro arena.

The event? The first Carnival of Madness show in Scotland with a stunning four band line up – Highly Suspect, Halestorm, Shinedown and Black Stone Cherry.

It’s not too often you get the chance to see three of your favourite bands all on the one stage on the one night!

Only minor criticism of the event- doors could’ve, and probably should’ve, opened earlier. They opened at 6pm prompt but Highly Suspect took to the stage at 6.15pm sharp. There just wasn’t enough time to get the folk who had queued outside into the bowl on time to hear them.

We were queuing outside for a while and got in there as smartly as we could, but still missed the first two songs of Highly Suspect’s short six song set. I love this band’s current album but to be honest I was a little disappointed in the three and a half songs that I heard. Lydia, their single, is a fabulous track but fell flat in front of a decidedly disinterested Glasgow crowd. My personal thought here is that the half empty SSE Hydro was just too overwhelming for these three boys. I’d like to see them play somewhere a little smaller and give them a fairer bite at the cherry.

After an interval, Halestorm took to the stage in front of a much bigger crowd. (The standing arena had been sold out for weeks) They opened their set with Sick Individual and instantly the energy in the room was transformed. At points throughout their ten song, forty-five minute set, the sound quality left a lot to be desired and fans struggled to hear Lzzy over Josh’s guitar. Highlights of their set for me were Love Bites (And So Do I), Amen and Freak Like Me.

Arejay was allowed a shortened drum solo and proved to be as entertaining as ever. He put in an acrobatic performance throughout the entire set, spinning and throwing his drumsticks relentlessly, but there was one thing missing from his solo- Arejay, where were your big sticks? Fantastic drummer!

Halestorm brought their set to a storming close with I Miss The Misery. Fantastic. I miss these guys already!

Next up were Shinedown. As I watched the roadies set up the stage, I was wondering who was headlining here. They brought out an awful lot of “stuff” for what was effectively a support slot but it’s Shinedown so I’ll forgive them.

Without a word of a lie, I love Shinedown with a passion but their latest album hasn’t really hit the mark for me so I was curious to hear some of the new songs live.

I didn’t have to wait long as their forty-five minute set opened with Black Cadillac from the new record, Threat To Survival. Great choice!

Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay, Boom-Lay Boom) was next and this really got the crowd going.

A stunning performance of Second Chance followed. Love this song!

Something though wasn’t quite right for me with Brent Smith’s performance and I can’t put my finger on it. It may just have been because he never took his baseball cap off and spent a fair part of the set with his shades on. The fans never really “saw” him if you get my drift and there was a bit of a disconnect for me.

Cut The Cord, again from the latest record, was fabulous. Much better live!

Highlight of Shinedown’s set for me personally was Simple Man. I simply love that song. Beautiful!

I last saw Shinedown live in October 2013 when they supported Alter Bridge and I came away from that show wishing there had been less talking and more singing. This time was no different. I love to hear a bit of banter from a band’s front man, a bit of an insight into songs, but I’m there to listen to the music not a sermon.

Shinedown brought their nine song set to a thunderous close with Sound of Madness.  Great number to end on.

Despite the preaching, I’ll forgive Brent Smith his transgressions and be back to see them next time they are in town. Love me some Shinedown!

After Shinedown left the stage a huge curtain was raised to hide the set change. Patiently the capacity Scottish crowd waited….

At 9.25pm the lights dimmed, the curtain fell and revealed Black Stone Cherry charging headlong into Me And Mary Jane, Rain Wizard and Blind Man.  Now that’s how to start a rock show!

A few songs further into the set we were treated to a rare performance of Violator Girl from their debut album. Monster of a song.

Mid-set the fans got the chance to hear the first of two new songs that will appear on the band’s forthcoming album, Kentucky. First up was In Our Dreams. Awesome!

These guys put so much energy into their performance- from Jon Lawhorn and Ben Wells athletic race around and across the stage to Ben’s high kicks. These guys are fit!

And then there’s John Fred Young! Possibly my favourite drummer. Now it was his turn to star with a mind blowing solo! It’s truly a sight to behold. Animal, re-animated in human form. Brilliant!

As the crowd caught their breath, Chris Robertson came back on stage alone. There was a slight air of a little boy lost about him and he confessed that this part of the show scared him. Acoustic guitar in hand, Chris delivered a sensational and heartfelt performance of Things My Father Said. The Glasgow choir sang their hearts out for this one and I got the feeling that their love swelled Chris’ heart too. Incredible, honest, raw performance.

Ben Wells then came out to join him and together they performed the second of the new songs, The Rambler. Sat side by side on two tall stools, they woo-ed the crowd with this beautiful performance of a stunning new song. Absolutely loved it.

The two song acoustic slot was one of several highlights for me.

Peace Is Free saw the remaining members of the band return to the stage and mid-song they were joined by the talented Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. Great song. Great performance and always popular with the fans.

The main body of Black Stone Cherry’s ninety-minute set was brought to a close with White Trash Millionaire and Blame It On The Boom Boom.

With the crowd chanting for “one more song” or words to that effect, the boys ran back out for a short encore. They threw all their remaining energy into their standard show closer Lonely Train and rounded off proceedings with a colossal rendition of Ace Of Spade.

Great way to end an incredible night of RnFnR!

Wish I could do it all again……oh, wait, I can!  I’m off to Manchester at the end of the week to catch the final UK show of this Carnival of Madness!