On a rainy evening in Glasgow, the iconic Barrowland lights cast a shimmering glow on the slick streets that surround the venue. The excited crowds have assembled outside, eager to make their way inside for the highly anticipated Echo and the Bunnymen Songs to Learn and Sing tour, featuring the talented Erica Nockalls as the supporting act. The atmosphere outside the venue crackles with energy as fans eagerly wait to gain entry, exchanging excited chatter about the upcoming show. The anticipation is electric, as the night promises to be a memorable one for all in attendance.
As the venue lights dimmed, two decorative spotlights illuminated the microphone stand on stage, casting a dramatic glow. In a captivating silhouette, Erica and Jean-Charles Versari, the guitarist and vocalist, made their entrance. Eric’s figure stepped into the spotlight, with the stage lighting creating a stunning backlight effect. Erica began to showcase her latest album, titled “Dark Music From a Warm Place,” with her mesmerising vocals enveloping the audience in a dark, atmospheric ambiance. Each song in her setlist gripped the audience from the very beginning, holding them captive with its haunting melodies. As the music unfolded, it took the listeners on a mysterious journey that left them intrigued and eager to see where it would lead. The combination of Erica’s vocals, the music, and the stage lighting created an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.
The set list featured a variety of tracks, including the energetic “Build Me a Ship” and the soulful “Mouth Full of Something.” However, it was the enchanting performance of “House of Erica” that truly captivated the audience. With her mesmerising vocals and skilful violin playing, she effortlessly drew listeners into the world of her music.
Closing out her set with the powerful and thought-provoking “Making Friends With an Alien,” she left the Glasgow audience in awe. The thunderous applause that followed her performance was a testament to the impact she had on the crowd.
If you have the opportunity to catch her on tour, be sure to arrive early to secure your spot. Undoubtedly, her live performance will leave you in awe of her musical talent.
Echo and The Bunnymen took the stage as the venue filled with dry ice, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of music. The intro music signalled the beginning of an exhilarating performance, with the noise level in the venue rising to a crescendo. The band members, including Stephen Brannan, Simon Finley, Pete Reilly, Mike Smith, Will Sergeant, and Ian (Mac) McCulloch, commanded the stage with their presence.
The band divided the set into two parts, interspersing a short break to keep the audience engaged. The band kicked off the night with the infectious track “Going Up” from their iconic Crocodiles album, setting the tone for an evening of musical nostalgia. The crowd in Glasgow couldn’t help but sing along and dance to the catchy tunes, creating an electric atmosphere filled with passion and nostalgia.
For many in the audience, Echo and The Bunnymen’s music served as the soundtrack to their coming-of-age years, making the concert a trip down memory lane. With each song, the band transported the crowd back to a time when their music was the soundtrack to their lives. The energy in the venue was electric, as fans basked in the nostalgia and relived the magic of Echo and The Bunnymen’s timeless music.
The energy was amazing as they transitioned seamlessly into the brilliant track Rescue, which had the entire venue of Barrowland singing along word for word. Ian, the lead singer, took a moment to express his gratitude for being in Glasgow, Scotland, joking that his name is even more Scottish than the country itself. The band then debuted their incredible new song, Brussels is Haunted, which seamlessly blended into the setlist like a perfect fit.
The crowd erupted with excitement as the band launched into the fan-favourite All My Colour (Zimbo) from their iconic album Heaven Up Here. The music swept the audience away, fully immersing them in the powerful performance. It was a night to remember, filled with unforgettable moments and incredible music.
The iconic Barrowland venue was alive with energy as the legendary Bunnymen took the stage. Mac’s powerful vocals resonated throughout the room, captivating the audience with every note. From the beloved Songs to Learn and Sing album, the band delivered a stellar performance of the timeless hit “Never Stop,” igniting the crowd into a frenzy of dancing and singing along.
During the electrifying rendition of “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” Mac graciously handed the reins to the enthusiastic Glasgow audience, allowing them to take centre stage and join in on the chorus. The unity between the band and fans created an unforgettable moment of shared musical passion.
As the song came to a close, the band took a brief intermission, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath and recharge for the rest of the exhilarating performance. The energy in the air was electric, and the anticipation for what was to come only heightened the excitement in the room.
As the lights dimmed, the band made their way back to the stage, bringing back memories of the past as they kicked off the second set with the powerful tracks “Show of Strength” and “Over the Wall” from the iconic Heaven Up Here album. This throwback to the 80’s evoked nostalgia for the early Barrowland shows, transporting the audience back in time.
The energy in the room was tremendous as the crowd eagerly joined in to sing along with the band on the ethereal “Seven Seas” from the Ocean Rain album. The band’s performance was flawless, captivating the audience with their incredible sound. The highlight of the night came with a stunning rendition of “Nothing Lasts Forever,” infused with a snippet of Lou Reed’s classic “Walk on the Wild Side.”
The combination of the band’s talent and the crowd’s enthusiasm created a magical atmosphere, leaving everyone in awe of the unforgettable night. It was a truly exceptional experience for all those in attendance.
The concert appeared to centre around the band’s earlier albums, delighting the audience with hits like “Heads Will Roll” from the Porcupine album. The crowd was then pleasantly surprised to hear “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo,” followed by the hauntingly beautiful “The Killing Moon,” as a projection of the moon appeared on the backdrop of the stage. The closing chords of the song reverberated throughout the venue as the band gracefully exited the stage, leaving the audience in awe of their performance.
The band had the audience in the palm of their hands, with cheers erupting as they took a brief break before returning to the stage. Mac, the lead singer, expressed his appreciation for the venue, declaring it the best in the world as the familiar opening chord of “Lips Like Sugar” filled the air. Will, the guitarist, wore a wide grin, clearly relishing every moment of the performance.
As the song came to a close, the band exited the stage once more, leaving the crowd eagerly anticipating their return. Although the intermission was slightly longer this time, the dimmed lights of the venue hinted at the band’s imminent comeback. The band clearly had one major song left to perform.
Upon their return, the band graciously thanked the audience and launched into the powerful tune of “Ocean Rain.” The entire venue was alive with the sound of both the band and the enthusiastic Barrowland audience singing along. As the song reached its conclusion, the band stepped forward to bid their farewells to the city of Glasgow, leaving a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to witness their unforgettable performance.
Tonight was truly a night to remember. The band was on fire, with Ian delivering a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. His vocals were incredibly powerful, filling the venue with raw emotion and energy. From the moment Erica Nockalls took the stage as the support act to the mesmerising set by The Bunnymen, the evening was a perfect blend of musical talent and passion.
If you have the opportunity to catch both Erica Nockalls and The Bunnymen on this tour, do not hesitate to go. A night of exquisite music will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. You should not miss this truly special experience.
