Tonight in Glasgow, two iconic figures are coming together on one stage for a special evening. The excitement outside the venue was amazing, with eager fans lining up to enter. Gaz Coombes of Supergrass and the legendary Johnny Marr will be on stage tonight. Marr, known for his work with The Smiths and Electronic, has a history of performing at the venue, and tonight he is being inducted into the Barrowland Hall of Fame, joining a prestigious list of names. This is a significant honour for Marr, and the atmosphere is sure to be unforgettable.
Gaz Coombe opened the show tonight in front of a full venue, greeted with a warm reception as he took the stage. He kicked off with the crowd-favourite “Salamander,” getting everyone singing along. Throughout his performance, he showcased tracks from his album “Turn the Car Around,” including the fan-favourite “Don’t Say It’s Over.” Engaging with the audience, Gaz seemed to be truly enjoying himself as he performed songs from all of his solo albums, with standout performances of “The Girl Who Fell to Earth,” “Deep Pockets,” and “Long Live the Strange.” Closing his set with the energetic “20/20,” Gaz ended on a high note with “Walk the Walk” from his album “Worlds Strongest Man,” prompting a final singalong from the crowd. The audience greeted Gaz with thunderous applause as he left the stage.
It was time for the legendary Johnny Marr to greet his fans, and the excitement in the venue was electric with the chants of his name. The crowd erupted as he took the stage, starting the set with the fantastic “Sensory Street” and already captivating the Glasgow audience. Strutting confidently on stage, he delighted the older members of the crowd with the opening chords of The Smiths’ “Panic,” transporting everyone back to the band’s peak. It was a truly special moment, only the second song into the set.
He performed songs from his albums Call the Comet, Fever Dreams, Playland, The Messenger, and the greatest hits album Spirit Power, giving fans a taste of Johnny Marr’s music. Highlights included New Town Velocity, The Answer, and the impressive Spirit Power and Soul. The setlist also featured songs from his time with The Smiths and Electronic.
The setlist included covers from his previous bands, such as This Charming Man, Get the Message, How Soon is Now, and Bigmouth Strikes Again. The fans were ecstatic, with some hearing these songs for the first time live. The performance concluded with Easy Money from Johnny’s Playland album, followed by Electronic’s Getting Away With It, which had the venue singing along at the top of their voices. As the final chord faded, Johnny and the band exited the stage, leaving the audience chanting his name loudly.
After a brief intermission, Johnny returned to the stage in Glasgow to a thunderous round of applause from the audience. The encore kicked off with a rendition of Iggy Pop’s iconic track, The Passenger, and ended on a high note with The Smiths’ hits like You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby. Johnny had the crowd belting out There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, culminating in a rousing finale. As the band bid farewell and left the stage, the lights came up, and it felt like waking up from a fantastic dream after experiencing an unforgettable set list.
This show was unforgettable for the fans, but it was a particularly special night for Johnny Marr as he was honoured with induction into the Barrowland Hall of Fame. If you have the chance to witness Johnny Marr’s performance, you won’t be dissatisfied, as he delivers his greatest hits live for the fans.
Photographs by John Brown
