For the third gig in a row, it was a hot and sunny evening as Boy Child, Facebook Son, MR A and I set off on the 525 to Glasgow.
We were heading for the legendary Barrowlands Ballroom (Mr A’s first visit there this century LOL)
And who were we there to see?
Those lovely Black Stone Cherry boys.
Just to confuse me (easily done) the queue was snaking the wrong way round the building. As we stood in the shade, patiently waiting, a familiar face walked past… a certain Mr Ben Wells. Sadly, I was too slow off the mark and missed the opportunity to say “Hi.”
Once inside the venue something hit us… the heat! Even pretty much empty, Barrowlands was hot hot hot and it was filling up fast.
First onstage were a young Southern rock/blues band from Sulphur Well, Kentucky called Otis. These guys were fantastic. There was only one thing wrong with their support set- it was WAY too short! Six songs definitely weren’t enough. If you want to hear Otis for yourself, check out their debut album Eyes of the Sun. Hurry back, boys, Glasgow wants to hear a full set real soon!
Next on the bill were The Kris Barras Band. Again, these guys were a new act to me although I have listened to their music on a few occasions in recent months. There’s no denying that Torquay-born front man Kris Barras is a striking presence on stage. A former MMA professional and a critically acclaimed blues guitarist, Kris himself present the ideal music package here (and, ladies, he’s easy on the eye.) As with Otis, only one complaint here and that is the set was too short. These guys were brilliant. Solid support set that had the fans fully charged and ready for the headliners. The Kris Barras Band’s new album Light It UP is out on 13 September and they will be returning to Glasgow for a headline show in October.
By now the room was full and the sweat was pouring off everyone. Kudos to the security staff who were doing a sterling job keeping the fans hydrated. And kudos to the fans who were passing the water back from the front to the rows behind.
At 9.15, the lights dimmed, the bagpipes and pipe band played The Flower Of Scotland and amid much community singing, Black Stone Cherry stepped out on stage. The kicked off their seventeen-song set with Burnin’- very apt considering the temperatures!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOdaJ8Eu1uE
It’s been a joy to watch this band grow and develop over the years. Right from the off it was clear to all to hear and see that we were in for something special. All four guys plus friends on keyboards and bongos (Sorry, their names escape me) were relaxed and having fun. Someone had obviously recharged Ben’s batteries as he worked the stage to its full effect interspersing proceedings with countless energetic high kicks throughout the entire two-hour set. If you could bottle and sell that energy, you’d make a fortune.
Chris Robertson has to be one of my favourite front men and it was a delight to see him in fine form, as ever wearing his heart on his sleeve. (I’m sure he’s a big softy)
Blind Man and Me and Mary Jane followed the set opener. Loved the more chilled out almost Hawaiian feel to Me And Mary Jane – very appropriate!
The entire set was a great balance of the band’s music covering all albums. It was also suitably refreshed from their 2018 visit to the city’s SEC. With six albums under their belts, Black Stone Cherry can’t play all the fan favourites every night but…but…where was Rain Wizard? (I’ve a soft spot for that song as it was the first song Boy Child and I heard them play live over ten years ago. In fact, it was the first song my son heard at his first ever gig in May 2009)
There was no acoustic number on this occasion but mid-set the boys played the beautifully poignant Things My Father Said. Now, I’ll be open and honest here, for a million personal reasons on many levels, I struggle with this one these days. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one in room in tears but my emotional moment caught the attention of Jon Lawhon. He paused in front of me for a few moments, offered an understanding smile and tipped his hat to me. a lovely heartfelt genuine gesture that was very much appreciated. Thank you.
The party atmosphere continued with the rousing Cheaper To Drink Alone and Ain’t Nobody before it was John Fred’s turn to shone in the spotlight. Awesome drum solo as ever that led nicely into Built For Comfort which slid neatly into a bit of a jam session. With John Fred out front on harmonica, a new drummer slipped behind the kit – the one and only multi-talented Chris Robertson. Brilliant!
Here’s a few moments of the magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYEPYqwliAI
Blame It On The Boom Boom, White Trash Millionaire, a rip-roaring Lonely Train and Family Tree rounded off the main set.
Dripping with sweat and exhausted as they were the crowd was still chanting for more.
There truly is only one way to end a Black Stone Cherry show and that’s with Peace Is Free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNI4LiSFny0
Incredible show from four of the best there is.
Hurry back, boys.
the525toglasgow 