The Enemy are back on the road. Members Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins, and Liam Watts stormed into the famous Barrowland Ballroom for their only show north of the border, but it was a show that their legion of fans would still be buzzing about for a long time after.
Starting proceedings tonight were Tijuana Bibles. Described in the media as ‘Born and bred in Glasgow, but with more in common with the swampy blues of Louisiana’ this could certainly be the case. A grungy blend of grinding riffs and groove-laden rhythms, sounding ‘Nirvana-esque’ in part, their set was well received, and they could well be one to keep an eye on in the future. Surely bigger and better things to come from the band.
Following on were Shambolics. Darren Forbes and Lewis McDonald formed the band as ‘a reaction to the tedium around them’, and a means to avoiding the general route of their peers, teen years spent hanging around the streets and drinking in the park. Formed in the Kingdom of Fife in the east of Scotland, Shambolics are known for their frenzied shows bursting with guitars and songs packed with an energy that oozes from the stage to the crowd, not unlike The View and perhaps The Snuts before them. They’ve enjoyed a steady rise over the last year or so, and their performance tonight supporting The Enemy only emphasises the potential this young band has. Intensely riotous rock n roll blended to pop music with an edge, Shambolics deliver tunes that are instantly relatable to the young adults in their fanbase. Surely only a matter of time before they are filling venues like The Barras on their own merit.
On to the main act tonight. As the lights dimmed and The Who’s Baba O’Reilly belted out from the PA, the buzz in the venue was bordering on fever pitch, and was only going to go higher! The Enemy took to the stage and as front man Tom Clarke approached the mic, he roared how great it was to be back in Glasgow. The band looked genuinely happy to be there, and the energy between them and the crowd was infectious.
With a set mainly covering the debut album, opening track Aggro set the pace, and with no let-up in sight the band would be playing on pure adrenaline! Banger after banger followed. Away From Here, Pressure, and Had Enough all landed like a knockout blow Mike Tyson would be proud of. The famous sprung floor thundered as bodies bounced in time to the music with everyone joining in on lead vocals, the smile on Clarkes face was priceless. As the opening horns launched into We’ll Live and Die in These Towns, the walls virtually shook in sync with the floor. It’s an anthem that still stands the test of time, and felt as powerful as ever. A song that could as easily be written about Glasgow as it was any other working-class town in the UK. A moment to savour. 40 Days & 40 Nights ended the first set before a short break, and the band were back for more.
A six-song encore rounded the hot and sweaty evening off, including Be Somebody, Happy Birthday Jane, No Time for Tears and a rousing This Song is About You, which finished things perfectly.
The Enemy didn’t just revisit Glasgow, for a few hours they owned it! If you want to see a band that still plays every show with a power, an energy and a passion as if it’s their last then this is the band to see. You’ll leave happy, hoarse, hot and sweaty. The Barrowland Ballroom was built for nights like this, simply terrific.
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson Photography
