NO MARTI NO PARTY
Marti Pellow is back on the road, playing venues around the UK to celebrate 30 years since the behemoth hit single Love Is All Around was released, which stayed at number one for what seemed like an eternity! The tour is named after the landmark record and is chock full of classic hits from the Wet Wet Wet back catalogue, plus a few select solo singles and covers which would keep the most ardent of fans satisfied.
Opening for Marti on this tour is Irish singer and songwriter Brian Kennedy. Most notable for representing Ireland in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, his short set was well received by the ever-growing crowd, and was a pleasant start to the evening.
Marti Pellow’s band, Wet Wet Wet first came to prominence in 1987 with the release of their first single Wishing I Was Lucky, which propelled the band to virtually overnight stardom, and made lead singer Marti Pellow the pin up of choice for many a young lady across the country. Nearly 40 years later that army of devoted fans are still with him and are here tonight to see the singer strut his stuff on the homecoming leg of the 8 date UK tour.
After a short break from Brian Kennedy, it’s finally showtime, and as the lights go out the cheers are deafening. Marti takes to the Glasgow stage and instantly has the crowd eating out the palm of his hand. Opening with 1993 single Cold, Cold Heart, it was a slow starter as if to ease the audience in gently for the smash hits soon to follow on. Second tune of the night and it’s time to get the crowd on their feet, and Lip Service fits the bill perfectly.
At their peak the band churned out a conveyor belt of hits, and most would be showcased this evening. Sweet Little Mystery, East of the River, Don’t Want to Forgive Me Now and the ultimate singalong Angel Eyes, which Marti asked the crowd for some audience participation to assist with backing vocals, to which they duly obliged. You don’t need to ask a Glasgow audience twice to have a sing song! With all the energy and enthusiasm of someone half his age, Marti proved what an accomplished performer he is. The voice, the confident swagger and the cheeky grin all still there, and the adoring fans never took their eyes off the stage for a second.
The two-hour show seemed to fly in. Marti has a great rapport with the fans everywhere but nowhere can match his home town crowd, and the banter inbetween tunes is nice to see. Its time for another singalong now. The Wets’ first UK number one, the Childline charity Single With a Little Help from My Friends was next and their rendition of The Beatles classic went down a storm. Another cover, McFadden and Whitehead’s Aint No Stopping Us Now kept everyone on their feet before the first act was closed with another early smash Temptation.
After a well-earned tea break the band are back for 3 more. With Marti now in his kilt, the encore opens with yet another cover, this time the David Bowie classic Lets Dance. Wet Wet Wet’s only self-penned number one single Goodnight Girl was the penultimate song of the evening before the title track from the tour, the epic number one single from the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love is All Around closed proceedings.
This was a fantastic night from a performer who looks like he could easily carry on for another forty years and you just know he wouldn’t stop smiling if he did. A jubilant night that left everyone leaving the venue high on the happy side!
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson Photography
