GIG REVIEW – THE WAKES KING TUTS, GLASGOW

When the gig was announced I checked my diary and was delighted to see I had a free night. I text my old mate Bazz Reilly to see if he wanted to be my dance partner for the night and he jumped at the chance. Flights got booked as did the hotel soon after and we were all set. I was flat out gigging over the festive season myself, so I was really looking forward to a night off and a few beers.

After a few drinks in the airport we were soon on our way to Glasgow. Travelling to Glasgow on a non-match day is always a little different. For a start you don’t bump into fellow Celtic fans en route. The city was quiet when we arrived and as we checked into our hotel an old friend Alan who now lives in London just happened to arrive in for quick pint in the bar before catching the train across the road at Central Station back down south.

A big hug and some pints were called at the bar. He never did make his train that day and ended up booking in the hotel and staying for the night. Soon after mates who we had arranged to meet started to join us at the bar for pre-gig pints and plenty of banter.

King Tuts is a famous music venue, Oasis were discovered there and signed by Alan McGee for Creation Records and the rest, as they say, is history and it has played host to many acts on the way up and a few acts on their way down.

I had not been at a gig in King Tuts since pre-covid when The Farm performed the Spartacus Album. The capacity is only 300 and the SOLD-OUT signs were up when we arrived at the doors. We missed the support act Callum Baird but hopefully we will catch him again.

When you walk up the steps to the venue on each step you can read some of the acts who have played there and from this walk-up Paulo Nutini’s name sticks out in my mind. Wonder whatever happened to him?

The band had left some Press Passes for us which meant we could pop into the dressing room to wish them well just before they went on stage – all 11 of them. The 7 Wakes, and a keyboard player and a 3-piece brass section.

Bazz got a quick look at the set list with lead singer Paul Sheridan and I’m sure he got him to squeeze in Thousands are Sailing as I did not see it on the set list but unless my mind is playing tricks on me, they did play it on the night.

The band took to the stage to a hero’s welcome in their own city. Fans had travelled from around Europe and as far as the US for the gig and they would not be disappointed. They opened with Bella Ciao the Italian folk song which has become an anti-fascist anthem Followed by No Irish Need Apply and ran through their back catalogue of songs from their many albums and performed a few covers for good measure.

Stand outs on the night included Marchin Down Sackville Street, These Hands, Power in a Union, Uncrowned King of Football and Scapegoats – a fitting tribute to Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six who had passed away that morning.

They finished with Glasgow Cross which is one of my favorites and believe me I have been in a bar in Glasgow Cross on many occasions at 8:30 in the morning. But this was not the end in true Rock’n’roll style they marched back onto the stage for the encore, and we were treated to Colours, They’re Building a Wall before they closed the night with YNWA to send the crowd home happy in the cold night air.

Great Night, Great Gig, Great Band, Great Venue and Great Mates to enjoy the night with.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine & Host of the  Celtic Soul Podcast