It’s been a long three years since Kip Moore last visited Glasgow, as a headliner for C2C – and fans were quick to snap up tickets for his headline show at the OVO Hydro in June – with support from one of the hottest Irish country artists, Gareth.
Now if you’re a fan of Kip Moore, you know that there is no such thing as a low energy concert – Kip has been an artist I’ve wanted to catch for as long as I remember – infusing that true country sound with a rocky edge – fans eat up every album, so I was intrigued to see how this would translate live on stage – especially as he has been on a European tour for weeks on end.
Kicking off the evening was Gareth – this is an artist I recently came across in recent years – showcasing covers such as Stick Season and a few of his own original tracks, you can even hear the American twang starting to come through Gareth’s accent, the Nashville effect is in full swing. Now let me tell you, this man’s voice. In the Hydro, to a locked in crowd? Speechless. I was even more speechless when he announced this was only the second time he had played an arena, the night before being the first time in Ireland. The way Gareth captivates an audience and has them listening to every single note was incredible, and I was gutted to see I’d missed his most recent Glasgow show, however he will be returning to Scotland later this year doe an Edinburgh gig. Do not miss that.
The man, the myth, the LEGEND – Mr Kip Moore took to the stage, and I’ll be brutally honest, when I go to review a gig – I like to make notes, what songs are played, things the artist says to really help bring the review to life for the reader. But with Kip Moore? That man does not STOP – we were treated to an entire 27 SONGS in one set – to the point the house lights came on and that man was still giving the audience exactly what they wanted – a proper country fuelled show on a Thursday night.
Kip delved into his catalogue of tracks – announcing that it was in 2015 he first came over with the Wild Ones, and by the roaring response, many of those OG fans were here in the Hydro with us.
“I always brag about Glasgow, my Grandad would always speak about Scotland and even though he isn’t here anymore, I always felt very close to this country”
Solitary Tracks, South, Wild Ones, Beer Money and of course Red White Blue Jean American Dream had Glasgow up and dancing – I think this is the most dancing I’ve seen from a crowd at a country concert, and it was the most wholesome thing ever.
I love when artists go off set list, and treat the audience to something unexpected, which is exactly what Moore, and the band did by playing Hey Pretty Girl – a song kip revealed he hasn’t played in 2 years.
One of the highlights of the evening was halfway through Sweet Virginia, Kip introduced his touring band – with each member of the band singing a line from the track and not only can this band play instruments – THEY CAN S-I-N-G. Outstanding – especially guitarist Hank Born, I need to hear more from this man.
“There are over 800 people here tonight which is my biggest venue of the tour so far. I always wanted to be in a band, but time was against me – I nearly quit at 29 – but something clicked one night and asked me to carry on – and here I am Glasgow”.
Visibly (and understandably!) overcome with emotion, Kip thanked the crowd for always supporting, and played several more tracks until the house lights came up. What a NIGHT. Kip Moore, your voice is flawless, and Scotland welcomes you back anytime!
Review by Lauren Page
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
