Last Wednesday evening, Boy Child and I boarded the train to Glasgow. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. The weather Gods were smiling on us. All was well with the world.
We were heading for the city’s O2 Academy but who were we off to see?
Nashville’s finest, The Cadillac Three.
This was the third time I’d seen these guys live, and I was excited for this one.
Having queued in the early evening sun, the rail Gods also smiled on us. Sunshine and a rail spot! Maybe I should have bought a lottery ticket! Happy days….
With the venue slowly filling up the first of the two support acts took to the stage around 7:30pm. First up was Willy Cobb, who described his style as “country punk”. Words fail me as I try to describe Willy himself. We’d seen him outside the venue before the show. Everyone is entitled to express themselves with their own style, but the heavy eye make-up, sparkles and bib front dungarees was a new one on me. Somehow it kind of works… This guy’s quirky. Check out his latest song Cigarette Smell online and judge for yourselves. Willy delivered a solid opening set and won over some Scottish fans in the process. And as Willy himself would say “that’s all I have to say about that.”
Much to my relief, the second support act was also afforded only thirty minutes. The second act of the night was Stephen Wilson Jr. I feel he must be an acquired taste as a section of the crowd were loving it. Me less so. Thumper Principle duly applied….
By 9:00pm the venue had filled up quite nicely, not a sell-out, but definitely a good crowd. It’s been just less than 2 years since The Cadillac Three played Glasgow and the Scottish fans were patiently waiting for more from these guys. With spotlights trained on the crowd, the intro tape played, and as the lights pulsed, The Cadillac Three took to the stage to a rapturous warm welcome as they powered into their set opener, the ever-popular Peace Love & Dixie. One of my favourites and a great start to their set.
Peace Love & Dixie (show opener) – The Cadillac Three @ O2 Academy Glasgow 08/05/24 (youtube.com)
Right from the off there was a different feel to these guys compared to previous tours. Everything was less stripped back. Things felt more grunge/rock then before, aided also by the simple fact that frontman Jaren Johnston, long hair neatly trimmed, stepped out in a black leather jacket. (what happened to “Long Hair Don’t Care”?) Now, I’m not saying that there was anything wrong with this. Change is good and I was instantly liking this 2024 TC3 vintage.
The two-hour set was a balanced mix from the band’s back catalogue plus three tracks from their current album, The Years Go Fast. Double Wide Grave was the first of those tracks to get an outing. Love this one. It’s the perfect fusion of the band’s country fuzz sound with a harder rockier edge. Around me, the Scottish fans were loving it too.
Bury Me In My Boots has become one of their classic set stalwarts. What’s not to love about this one? The Glasgow choir were in fine voice as they sang along to this fan favourite.
As this band has evolved over the past thirteen years, so has their sound. Back in 2020, they released two albums, Country Fuzz and Tabasco and Sweet Tea. The first as its name suggests saw the addition of more fuzz- a bit like more cowbell but with fuzz – to their familiar country rock sound. The second album from 2020 added some funk into the mix. The end result when you add their latest album to the mix is this 2024 vintage…. and it works like a charm! Even the older, more familiar tracks have been given a 2024 refresh and they sound awesome!
Tennessee Mojo mid-set was a high point of the night. These guys truly have found their mojo and from the chemistry between them on-stage, they are thriving on it.
Another high point for me was the gorgeous Graffiti. Such an atmospheric song.
Graffiti – The Cadillac Three @ OC Academy Glasgow 08/05/24 (youtube.com)
It was followed a couple of songs later my another one of my personal favourites, Runnin’ Red Lights. No video of this one. I was lost in the song.
For me the strongest section of the set was the final five songs, purely because among them were more of my favourites.
Before introducing Hank & Jesus, Jaren playfully listed Scottish/Glasgow bands that he’d “invited” along who had declined to come to the show. They didn’t know what they were missing! I love the lyrics to Hank & Jesus. For me it’s a song you can visualise- I can just imagine the family that ties into that set up, can’t you? A kind of modern day Walton family.
Hank & Jesus – The Cadillac Three @ O2 Academy Glasgow 08/05/24 (youtube.com)
It was followed by another clear fan favourite American Slang from 2017’s Legacy album. Love it.
Before The Cadillac Three could begin their next number, the Glasgow crowd took control with their infamous chant of “Here we, Here we, Here we…” Well, you know the rest of the words.. These three boys from Nashville (Jaren Johnston songwriter extraordinaire, Kelby Ray on lap steel and Neil Mason on drums) jumped on it and enthusiastically joined in. Love it when a band does that. White Lightning was the song that eventually followed. Another atmospheric number and another crowd pleaser. One of my personal favourites too.
White Lightning – The Cadillac Three @ O2 Academy Glasgow 08/05/24 (youtube.com)
There were only two songs left. Two songs that left the fans in no doubt about where The Cadillac Three’s roots run deep. The South and I’m Southern brought the night to a rowdy climax as curfew approached.
For one night we were all more than a little bit Southern.
Till next time, guys.
the525toglasgow 