At long last! This gig has had to be rescheduled four times due to Covid 19, so it felt as if it were a bit of a dream as I set off alone by car up the M8 towards Glasgow to rendezvous with Boy Child before walking the rest of the way to the city’s SWG3 venue.  Can’t say I was too enamoured with the roadworks and tailbacks on the motorway, but I made it with my nerves more or less intact and my excitement levels rising.

Finally, it was time to see Brian Fallon and the Howling Weather. It felt like we’d waited forever for this gig to actually happen. It’s been four long years since they last visited Glasgow.

The weather gods were still being kind to us as were the rail gods. Happy days!

First on stage for the evening was Jesse Malin. This was the first time I’d heard Jesse’s music and was quickly captivated by this likeable singer/songwriter from New York. He commented at one point that New Yorkers like to walk. They also like to talk but, personally speaking, I’d like to see more support acts chat to the crowd. All too often they seem to play and run rather than engaging with the audience. I along with the rest of the growing crowd thoroughly enjoyed Jesse’s eight song set. Highlights for me were Room 13, Broken Radio and Meet Me At The End Of The World. I’ve a feeling we may meet again. Great opening act.

Oh, where to start describing the second act of the night! At 8:15, the one and only Chris Farren burst onto the stage. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen him support Brian Fallon, so I was somewhat prepared for what was to come. Some of the sell-out crowd definitely weren’t and had a “WTAF” look on their faces. Chris opened his nine-song set with To Insecurity And Beyond. Quirky. Eccentric. Unique. Like a kid on the ultimate sugar high! (Boy Child was shocked to learn that Chris Farren is in fact 36 years old going on 12 perhaps.) I wasn’t too sure about the turquoise eyeshadow and the face glitter or the turquoise nails but as the set continued at full pelt its all too easy to be swept up in the madness that is Chris Farren. After a few songs, you could easily forgive him almost anything. Loved the tracks from the non-existent movie soundtrack album Death Don’t Wait, especially Car Chase! complete with video. Musical insanity! Loved it. Yes, Chris, it was “the perfect set” and at just over thirty minutes it was the perfect length too! Till next time…

Still in a state of shock after Chris Farren, the capacity crowd waited on after “the perfect set” for Brian Fallon and the Howling Weather to take to the SWG3 stage for the first time.

Hard Feelings, from 2020’s Local Honey record, proved to be a popular show opener amongst the Scottish fans.

Hard Feelings – Brian Fallon @ SWG3 Glasgow 24/05/22 – show opener – YouTube

Right from the off, Brian looked relaxed and happy to be back in front of the fans. We were just delighted he was finally there on the stage in front of us!

Ladykiller, a Horrible Crowes song, and Watson from Sleepwalkers followed. Both equally awesome.

After the opening trio, Brian engaged with the audience for the first time for the evening. Like many in the room, he was bemoaning the loss of his favourite Glasgow venue, the late great O2 ABC. Yes, we miss it too! He was definitely in a playful, chatty mood but wait…what was this? Turquoise nail polish on his right hand? Where’s Chris Farren? This had him written all over it!

The beautiful Painkillers followed. One of several of my favourites to make the set.

Painkillers – Brian Fallon @ SWG3 Glasgow 24/05/22 – YouTube

There was a slightly more blues-influenced feel to the first half of the set, aided by the fabulous piano playing by “Ralph” (remember the piano playing dog from The Muppets? Well with that mop of curls that’s who the piano player reminded me of!).

Sincere apologies at this point – I never caught the names of the three members of the Howling Weather.

Something that was lovely to see was Brian giving the pianist his moment in the spotlight with an impressive extended solo. It all added to the relaxed vibe of just being happy to be out there playing music again in front of real live people.

One of my highlight moments followed a few songs later, Vincent from Local Honey.

Vincent – Brian Fallon @ SWG3 Glasgow 24/05/22 – YouTube

Ever since Local Honey was released, this has been my favourite of the eight tracks on that album. Live, it didn’t disappoint. Beautiful tragic song.

You Have Stolen My heart- he may well have – another heartfelt ballad followed before the vibe changed as the set changed gear.

The latter third of the show was distinctly more energetic. Forget Me Not was the first song to pick up the pace with the capacity crowd enthusiastically clapping along in time and singing their hearts out. The energy levels continued to soar as Brian and the Howling Weather delivered stomping versions of Behold The Hurricane, another Horrible Crowes song, Rosemary and the ever-popular Wonderful Life. Awesomeness!

Smoke, another of my favourites, brought the fifteen-song set to a climax after around ninety minutes. I guess all good things have to come to an end.

There are no frills with a Brian Fallon show. There’s just an entire night of good music and banter. Just what we’d waited four long years for.

Sorry, Chris, this was “the perfect set”. Loved every second of it. Hurry back and please don’t leave it another four years before you return, Brian.