Black Rebel Motorcycle Club took to the famous Barrowland Ballroom stage in Glasgow to play the Scottish leg of their tour. The venue was upgraded from Sauchiehall Street’s ABC due to overwhelming demand, the most surprising part being it wasn’t in the Barrowlands in the first place; after all this was the first venue in the UK the band sold out during their first UK stint.
L.A outfit BRMC are touring with new album Specter at the Feast. The set kicked off with a cover of 80’s band The Call’s- Let the Day Begin, followed by Rival– a fans favourite track from the new album.
As the first words of Red Eyes and Tears echoed around the venue, the crowd let out a massive roar of approval. As expected from a Glasgow crowd at the Barrowlands- the crowd is in high spirits, reacting to each and every guitar riff. Hate the Taste is the next track, before the band go on to play a run of older tracks one after an other with Beat the Devils Tattoo being the first track to really get the crowd jumping.
From then on in the energy didn’t really stop. Punk Song (Whatever Happened), Ain’t No Easy Way, Berlin and 666 Conducer give the crowd the energy they need to really get into things. The band revel in the crowds reaction as the noise, cheers and dancing go from strength to strength as the set unfolds.
Love Burns is the last of the run of vintage tracks, as the band bring things down in tempo with track Returning- its a chance for the crowd to appreciate the different styles BRMC have. Baffling for a band who still manage to have a distinct sound that is very much their own.
Peter Hayes and Leah Shapiro leave the stage for the time being leaving Robert Levon Been to play a piece on the piano. Been later swaps places with Hayes who then plays Fire Walker alone. This could have been the only part of the set where people may have went to the bar for a quick pint, as it did seem to drag out a tad. Perfect time then for the band to kick straight into the fast and sleazy Conscience Killer– again getting the Glasgow crowd going as pints of lager are launched through the air.
Tracks Lullaby, White Palms and Six Barrel Shotgun were to follow before the last song Spread Your Love, which as a crowd favourite received a massive reaction. This track lead to the floor of The Barrowlands shaking with a mass sing-along chorus.
The band returned for an encore, which in all honesty, was the only low part of the gig. With so many rock tracks to choose from in the band’s back catalogue- they opt to play two slower, less well known songs Sell It and Lose Yourself from the new album.
All in all, this was another amazing night at the Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom, and judging by the reaction of the crowd, it won’t be the last time we see BRMC playing this iconic stage.
By Neal Mcharg
