The summer sun was shining as Boy Child, and I boarded the train to Glasgow on Tuesday evening. We were heading back to the O2 Academy. We were heading into the city to see The White Buffalo for the third time.

I was mildly surprised when we arrived at the venue about 6:20pm that the queue wasn’t longer. There were only 5 folks ahead of us in the O2 Priority queue and the main queue didn’t look to be too busy either. It is the “Glasgow Fair” and there was a football match on at one of the city’s stadiums so perhaps those had an impact here.

Doors opened shortly before 7pm and while I made the obligatory pit stop at the merch stall, Boy Child secured a nice wee rail spot for the evening. It was the second last night of the “Year of the Dark Horse” tour and there were slim pickings at the merch stall.

There was only one support act for the evening. Same as last year, The White Buffalo had brought LA Edwards with him. Hailing from Julian CA, this band fronted by Luke Andrew (LA) Edwards delivered a solid 9 song set. They’re quite a mellow bunch with the exception perhaps of their keyboard player but perhaps their Americana/Tom Petty vibe wasn’t for everyone in the room. For me, and it may have been the frame of mind I was in, they seemed a little bland this time round.

As Mr Lordi had said at the Sabaton show back in April, the opening act’s job is to warm the crowd up. I wasn’t warm….

LA Edwards ended their set with the three brothers in the band coming together to sing Day I Die, a song written for their mother.

The room was steadily filling up throughout the opening act’s set but by the time the lights dimmed again at 9:15pm, it was far from packed which was a shame.

The White Buffalo stepped out onto the dim stage to a huge cheer and promptly took up position behind the keyboard at the back of the stage to open the 90-minute set with two tracks from the current album Year of the Dark Horse, Not Today and Winter Act 2.

Not Today & Winter Act 2 (show opening) – The White Buffalo @ O2 Academy Glasgow 18/07/23 – YouTube

The White Buffalo aka Jake Smith, flanked by guitarist/bassist/keyboard player Christopher Hoffee, who clearly still channels his inner punk with his “choppy” style and drummer Matt Lynott always delivers a no-frills performance. What you see is what you get and its awesome!

Two more songs from the current album made the set – Kingdom for a Fool and C’mon Come Up Come Out.

There’s no denying that the more popular songs with the Scottish fans are those that featured in the TV series Sons of Anarchy.

The first of those to make an appearance mid set was O Darlin’ What Have I Done, and I’ll confess it was a highlight moment for me. I also loved John Jameson that followed it.

Not surprisingly the song that got the biggest reaction all night was Come Join The Murder. It truly is an epic song.

Come Join The Murder – The White Buffalo @ O2 Academy Glasgow 18/07/23 – YouTube

Another spectacular song, also from that TV show is The Whistler. Hauntingly beautiful.

The Whistler – The White Buffalo @ O2 Academy Glasgow 18/07/23 – YouTube

The main set was rounded out with The Pilot.

Amid cries of “one more tune” (what happened to the usual Glasgow chant? Never heard it all night…) Jake Smith returned to the stage for a solo performance of Wish It Was True before welcoming the others back to end the night with How The West Was Won. An awesome song to end an awesome show.

With earworm O Darlin’ What Have I Done on repeat in many ears, the Scottish fans trooped wearily into the night…til next time.