Two headline acts for the price of one? In this day and age, you’d be daft not to take advantage.
Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom was the place to be tonight as Inspiral Carpets and The Wonderstuff joined forces for a double bill dripping in alternative-rock nostalgia. Two bands, a stack of classics and one of the finest live music venues in the world. Sometimes, you really do get lucky.
The Barrowland Ballroom needs little introduction. A Glasgow institution, it has a habit of turning a good gig into a great one, and I’m struggling to remember ever leaving the place disappointed. The Barras has atmosphere by the bucketload. Tonight, it had two top-class bands ready to make full use of it. There’s something about this place that gets under your skin. With its standing layout, excellent views of the stage and that famous ceiling with sparkling with disco balls, it’s a venue that knows how to put on a show. Throw in Glasgow’s appetite for a proper night out, and you’ve got the makings of a belter.
First up were Inspiral Carpets, greeted by a packed floor and a band more than ready to get the party started. Their declaration of love for our dear city went down a treat, setting the tone for a 13-song set that wasted little time getting into its stride. ‘Burn in the Sun’ kicked things off nicely, and from there the band had the place firmly in their grasp.
Clint Boon handled much of the between-song banter, keeping the exchanges flowing and the atmosphere suitably lively. There was even time for a mass singalong to wish vocalist Stephen Holt a happy birthday. It’s not every gig where you get a birthday celebration thrown in for good measure, but the Barras isn’t exactly a venue that does things by halves.
Boon knew precisely how to get everyone involved, commanding the room to sing and receiving the sort of response that suggested nobody had come along intending to save their voice for the journey home.
Newer material earned a warm reception, but it was the familiar favourites that really got the floor moving. ‘This Is How It Feels’ was the standout moment, prompting a reaction that reminded everyone just how deeply certain songs become woven into the fabric of a generation. Inspiral Carpets were on cracking form. Outstanding chaps!
A quick trip to the bar, and possibly a necessary pit stop, provided a brief intermission before the main event. Enter The Wonderstuff…
As Miles Hunt bounced towards his microphone, ‘Mission Drive’ burst into life, and the headliners wasted no time in picking up where their support act had left off. Hunt remains a compelling frontman, bringing plenty of character and restless energy to proceedings.
Standing out alongside him was Erica Nockalls, whose colourful presence added another dimension to the stage. Her violin playing brought real depth and texture to the band’s sound, while her striking red dress made her an eye-catching addition to the line-up.
With 22 songs on the setlist, there was no shortage of material to keep the faithful happy. ‘Don’t Let Me Down, Gently’was among the night’s anthemic highlights, with voices rising from the floor as the band and audience fed off one another’s energy. Singing and dancing were very much a shared responsibility, and both sides embraced their duties with considerable enthusiasm.
Was it a night for nostalgia? Absolutely. But to dismiss it as simply a trip down memory lane would be doing both bands a disservice. Newer songs sat comfortably alongside the old favourites, while experience and youthful energy combined to create something that felt every bit as alive as it did familiar. This wasn’t merely a gathering of folk remembering their favourite tunes; it was a room full of people enjoying them all over again, at full volume.
All too soon, ‘Ten Trenches Deep’ arrived to bring the curtain down on a night packed with great tunes, infectious energy and more than a few hoarse voices. By kicking-out time, the singing had taken its toll, and both bands had earned every cheer.
Inspiral Carpets and The Wonderstuff proved to be cracking value for money, while the Barrowland Ballroom once again demonstrated why it remains one of the world’s most cherished live music venues.
Two top bands, one legendary venue and a setlist that delivered from start to finish. There was plenty to sing about, plenty to dance to and absolutely no need to ask for a refund.
Mooooo!
Review & Photographs by John Brown Photography
