The Cottiers in Glasgow has to be one of the most beautiful music venues in the country – and set the scene for a wholesome night of country and western, played by Hannah Aldridge and Sam Outlaw on their joint tour across Europe.
Hannah Aldridge is a name I’ve come across before, but I’ve never had the honour to see live and what a start to the show it was. I’ve said it once, and I will say it till I am blue in the face – but how country artists can take stories and create the most fascinating pieces of musical art truly blows my mind, and Aldridge is no exception.
Bringing a flare of Southern culture to the stage in Glasgow’s West End, Hannah showcased everything from robbing a bank to being influenced by the Titanic. “I realise I’m singing about robbing a bank. Whilst playing in a church” as the audience laughed.
Chatting to the crowd about the inspiration of her album, Dream of America, the audience was honestly on the edge of their seats wanting more and I can safely say the second Hannah left the stage, I had already messaged my group chat down South to make sure they got tickets for the Southern UK dates which were coming up in a few days after the show. Mark my words, if C2C don’t have Hannah Aldridge on the Spotlight stage next year, I will riot (disclaimer, I won’t riot but I’m hoping and praying)
It wasn’t long before Hannah returned to the stage, with main man Sam Outlaw in tow. “Can you believe I have been touring full-time for 10 years now?!” From the get-go Sam belted out his classics, bringing the classic country sound we know and love with a wholesome and chatty attitude.
Shared insights from his travels across the globe, background on creating the Sam Outlaw sound we all know and love and stories about his trips to Scotland – including a gig in Edinburgh “You Scots give a little something extra to the crowd, I did a gig in Edinburgh once, it was utterly terrifying”.
We were even treated to tracks from Angelino – music Sam himself admitted he hadn’t played acoustic in quite some time.
It was odd that this gig was completely seated, I was dancing away at the back of the church but I wish the crowd had given just some more energy, it was completely silent throughout the songs but the wholesome vibes continued throughout – Sam storytelling ability needs to be a podcast as soon as possible, an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish.
It’s only been a few weeks since Outlaw’s latest album was released and Sam discussed the inspiration behind the process of writing, building and touring the album.
My favourite song of all time by Sam is Ghost Town, and hearing it live, acoustically in an echoey church was the icing on the cake. The acoustics in the Cottiers venue were sublime, and I will 100% be checking out gigs there in the future.
If you get the chance to catch one of Sam and Hannah’s shows, please do because it was the most perfect evening and a country music lover’s dream. Come back soon!
Review by Lauren Page
