As the lights of the iconic Barrowland venue flicker in the night, they catch the attention of passersby as they approach the entrance. Fans gradually make their way toward the venue, eager to join the queue and secure their entry. It’s hard to believe that it has been almost five years since Richard last performed here. However, tonight promises to be an extraordinary event. Adding to the excitement, the talented John Smith will be the opening act, setting the stage for what is sure to be a memorable night.
As the venue gradually filled, the lights dimmed in anticipation of the opening act. John Smith, equipped with his acoustic and electric guitars, took centre stage. Currently on tour promoting his new album, The Living Kind, John captivated the Barrowland crowd with his skilful guitar work and engaging anecdotes shared between songs. A highlight of his performance was recounting the experience of recording three albums during the lockdown, humorously noting that it was nearly as many as the prime ministers serving during that period. His song “Miles Away” resonated particularly well, reflecting on the changes in touring life after becoming a father. One memorable story he shared was in response to a friend’s question, “What’s It Like to Tour?” to which he replied, “Sleep in various Premier Inns across the country.” John’s performance, filled with humour, music, and heartfelt stories, left the audience with beaming smiles. It’s definitely a show worth seeing if he’s performing nearby. The Glasgow audience gave John a resounding round of applause as he exited the stage after his captivating set.
Richard Hawley was set to make his comeback to the Barrowland stage with his In This City They Call You Love Tour in Glasgow. The venue was engulfed in dry ice, which seemed to have been left on a bit too long as visibility across the stage was obscured. However, by the time the introductory music concluded, the fog had dissipated sufficiently for the audience to see Richard and his band step onto the stage.
Richard kicks off the performance with the mesmerizing She Brings The Sunlight, showcasing his impressive guitar skills. As he plays, he takes in the crowd, savouring the moment and letting the atmosphere of the venue engulf him. Richard shares with the Barrowland audience that he has eagerly anticipated this show, declaring it the best venue in the UK. The crowd responds with a thunderous cheer following his remarks, and Richard then goes on to introduce the next track, a fresh release from the album In This City They Call You Love.
Richard expresses his gratitude to his fans for purchasing his newest album and for their support during the tour. He shows his appreciation by performing a new song, “Prism In Jeans.” The crowd in Glasgow, particularly at Barrowland, was captivated by Richard Hawley’s performance, as evidenced by their enthusiastic singing and dancing along to his tunes.
Richard delighted the Glasgow crowd with standout performances of “Standing At the Edge,” “Tonight the Streets Are Ours,” and the exceptional “Coles Corner,” which had the entire venue singing along. His voice effortlessly captivated the audience with songs brimming with love and emotion. Some songs resonated with personal stories from the perspective of the fans, while others inspired inner strength. This is a testament to the profound impact of Richard Hawley’s music.
He concludes his performance with some classics that have the audience singing along at full volume, including “Don’t Stare at the Sun,” “Is there a Pill?” and the particularly significant song from the Hollow Meadows album, “Heart of Oak.” This song remains just as impactful as it was when it first came out in 2015. The Glasgow crowd enjoyed it and sang along, and as the song ended, Richard and his band exited the stage.
The lights at the venue remained dim, signalling to the audience that the performance wasn’t over just yet. Within moments, Richard and his band reappeared on the renowned stage, kicking off the encore with their new track “People,” followed by a crowd favourite, “I’m Looking for Someone to Find Me,” which was met with thunderous applause. Richard expressed his gratitude towards the fans, promising to return soon before announcing that this would be the final song of the evening. He concluded the concert with “The Ocean” from the Coles Corner album, a fitting finale to a spectacular show. Richard’s performances only seem to improve with each appearance, consistently leaving the audience delighted and with smiles from the heart.
If you have the opportunity and there are still tickets available at a nearby venue, make sure to see him perform live. If not, you can still enjoy his music by streaming it online or purchasing an album. You’ll be captivated from the very first song. I’m eagerly anticipating Richard’s return to the renowned Barrowland stage, hopefully in the near future.
