On a rather chilly evening, after a surprise brief snowfall, Boy Child and I headed up the M8 through the rush hour traffic towards Glasgow. Doors for this show were early (6.30pm) so we’d set off early. Having parked the car at the Science Centre, we completed the journey on foot across the Clyde to the OVO Hydro. We timed it well as the queues were just starting to build some 30 minutes before the doors were due to open.

So, who were we braving the freezing temperatures to see? Those boys from Kentucky – Black Stone Cherry. I’ve long since lost count of how many times we’ve seen those guys play live.

Once inside we divided and conquered. I headed to the merch stall while Boy Child headed into the arena to snag a spot for the night. Boy done good and we were one row back from the rail. Happy days!

There were two support acts lined up for the evening. The first of those, Ayron Jones, was on stage at 6:45pm. This was my first opportunity to see him play live and he didn’t disappoint. As the crowd began to grow, Ayron Jones delivered a solid six song opening set.

Personally, I suspect the stage was bit big for these guys. I’d like to give them another chance in a smaller venue where you can see them interact with each other better. When they did come together centre stage, the chemistry was there. Highlight song of the short 30-minute set was Blood in The Water. Will definitely check these guys out in future.

At 7:30pm the second support act, Skillet, took to the stage. Their set for me was somewhat marred by the drunken antics of a female fan who barged her way forwards, eventually pushing her way onto the rail and who was just inconsiderate and a menace throughout the first three quarters of the set. She “took ill” a couple of songs before the end of Skillet’s 45-minute set and got unceremoniously hauled over the rail to receive medical attention. This whole scenario only served to put me off what was actually going on up on the stage.

Skillet are one of those bands that I’ve been aware of but have never listened to. They played a lively 11 song set with front man John Cooper coming off stage to interact with the fans (pen heads?) along the rail, much to the delight of the drunken fan in front of me.

I’m going to partially adopt my Thumper Principle here and reserve judgement on these guys until I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy them properly.

A potentially controversial point- I’d ban alcohol from the arena floor in big venues. If folk want to drink to excess and ruin the night for themselves and those around them then do it at the bar out in the concourse or get a seat up in the stand.

Now, where were we?

A huge white curtain covered the front of the stage in between Skillet and Black Stone Cherry, billowing gently as the Scottish fans waited impatiently for the headliners. The crowd had swelled somewhat but numbers were down on previous visits to the Hydro which was a wee bit sad to note. I suspect the wintery weather and the fact this was a second visit to town on the one album cycle may have had an impact. Who knows!

At around 9:15pm, the houselights dimmed, and a slightly creepy voice accompanied by some theatrical music declared “Ladies and gentlemen, count to three and make a wish.” With a loud familiar count of “One Two Three” and an almighty explosion, the white curtain fell as Black Stone Cherry were already powering into set opener Me and Mary Jane. CO2 cannons shot high into the air as the band’s 18 song set got off to an energetic start.

Me and Mary Jane (set opener) – Black Stone Cherry @ Hydro Glasgow 20/11/2024

The ever popular Burnin’ followed, keeping the energy levels set high.

Neither guitarist Ben Wells nor bassist Steve Jewell Jr need much encouragement to be energetic. Ben has always bounded around the stage like the Duracell bunny on speed, but Steve is giving him a run for his money. He doesn’t match Ben’s high kicks though!

A couple of songs later, they dug deep into the vault. Front man and guitarist extraordinaire Chris Robertson had commented on the loyalty of the support from Glasgow over the years, from their early shows in The Cathouse and The Garage to Barrowlands and the Hydro itself. The boys looked back to their self-titled debut album and played a blistering version of Rain Wizard, (the first Black Stone Cherry song that Boy Child and I heard way back in 2009.) followed by another of my personal favourites, Blind Man. This was simply vintage Black Stone Cherry, and it was epic!

The fan favourites kept coming – Like I Roll, and the awesome Stay then Cheaper to Drink Alone complete with a spellbinding drum solo from the one and only John Fred Young.

This was followed by the most emotional song of the night. Clearly wrestling with his own emotions, Chris Robertson said that the next song had taken an even more poignant place in his heart since the passing of “Papa Steve” a couple of years ago. The song of course was Things My Father Said, a song I struggle to listen to. I made it halfway through before the tears were flowing freely. Such an emotional song but Glasgow poured their hearts into supporting Chris bring it home.

So, how does a Glasgow crowd dry its tears and restore the energy to the room? With the Glasgow chant of “Here We! Here We! Here We f**king go!” …only in Glasgow! LOL… as the boys powered their way into another of my favourites, In My Blood.

As I mentioned earlier, this was the boys second trip to Glasgow on the Screamin’ at The Sky tour so there weren’t many new songs included in the set. Recently Black Stone Cherry released a cover of The Cult’s American Horse. I’ll be honest its not one of my personal favourites but live, with John Cooper from Skillet and Ayron Jones coming out to join the boys, it worked well enough.

The main body of the set was rounded out with three firm fan favourites. Set stalwarts White Trash Millionaire, Lonely Train (another of my favourites) and Blame It on The Boom Boom. Bang! That’s how to round out a set but the Scottish Cherry Heads knew there was one more to come.

It wouldn’t be a Black Stone Cherry show if the night wasn’t brought to a climax by Peace is Free. This time round, Chris Robertson ventured into the crowd to sing alongside the fans. Although I did wonder at one point if they were going to let him back up on stage to finish the song! The perfect way to end another awesome Black Stone Cherry show.

Til next time, boys.