Scotland is alive with celebration for Saint Andrew’s Day, and for the second consecutive year, Ricky Warwick and the Almighty are set to perform at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. As the iconic Barrowland neon lights shimmer on the rain-soaked streets and pavements, eager fans gather outside, lining up in anticipation of the doors opening.
Fans arrived early, eager to secure the best spots at the front or sides to fully enjoy the concert and the impressive opening act, Girlschool. As the doors of the renowned venue opened, the excitement grew among the crowd, quickly filling up the space for the sold-out event.
As the stage lights dimmed and the band members appeared one after the other, the crowd at Barrowland caught their first glimpse of the group. Jackie Chambers, Olivia Airey, and Kim McAuliffe were joined by Larry Paterson from Alcatrazz, who stepped in for the unwell Denise Dufort.
The band opened their performance with the electrifying track “Demolition Boys,” captivating the Glasgow crowd right from the start. They truly set the tone for the night with robust guitar play and quality rock music. Kim expressed to the audience their excitement about playing at such a legendary venue, sharing their joy of being there. Their playlist featured a fantastic blend of songs from their albums, with standout tracks like “Hit and Run,” “Kick It Down,” and “Screaming Blue Murder” resonating well with the audience in Glasgow.
The band delivered a fantastic rendition of Motorhead’s “Bomber” in Glasgow, captivating the audience who enthusiastically sang along. From the opening song, their dynamic performance completely enraptured the Glasgow crowd. They concluded their set with the outstanding track “Emergency,” before bidding farewell to the city. Demonstrating immense passion and energy, their emotionally charged set from start to finish was truly memorable. Definitely catch them live at a nearby venue when they tour the UK.
At 8:50 PM, the echoes of bagpipes filled the air as Scotland marked Saint Andrew’s Day, welcoming back some of Glasgow’s beloved locals. The celebration began with a bagpiper playing “Flower of Scotland,” energizing the crowd who sang along enthusiastically. After a stellar performance, the piper exited the stage to vigorous applause from the audience in Glasgow.
The stage lights dimmed, signaling it was time for the Almighty to take over as the energy in the venue surged to its peak. As the red lights flickered off and on, the band members stepped onto the stage, greeted by a thunderous roar from the Glasgow crowd catching their first glimpse of Ricky Warwick on stage.
The band, featuring members Tantrum, Floyd London, and Stump Monroe, positioned themselves on stage and kicked off their performance with the electrifying track “Crucify.” This powerful opener effectively cleared any lingering stillness in the venue as the intense guitar work and vocals reverberated throughout the space. Known for their high-decibel performances, The Almighty lived up to their reputation tonight, with sound levels soaring. Ricky excited the audience by reminiscing how he had promised their return, a promise fulfilled since that Saint Andrews Day 2023 event at the same location. The set began with vigor and enthusiasm, showcasing tracks like “Destroyed,” “Do You Understand,” and the standout “Wrench.” The band’s enjoyment was palpable, indicated by the sweat dripping down their faces as they powered through their opening numbers.
Key moments of the concert featured performances of “Praying To The Red Light,” “Crank,” and “Deceit and Bandaged Knees.” The audience was captivated by the stage setup and the fervour emanating from the performers. This experience evoked nostalgia among long-time fans, reminding them of past shows at the same venue. Remarkably, the band’s charisma and energy have remained undiminished through the years.
They wrapped up their performance with a spectacular finale, featuring the stunning “Over the Edge.” They ended their set with the powerful “The Almighty” and the energetic “Wild and Wonderful.” As the final notes played and the band exited the stage, everyone anticipated their return.
Ricky and the boys came back to perform “Jesus Loves You… But I Don’t,” which had the entire Barrowland audience singing loudly and dancing throughout the venue. The event was promoted as a St. Andrew’s Day celebration, and it truly lived up to that description from beginning to end. The perfect finale for The Almighty was their stellar performance of “Free n’ Easy.” At the end of the show, the band bowed and requested the audience to raise their hands for a photo from the stage.
As we reflect on the recent performance, we eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to experience it all over again on November 30th, 2025. An evening that promises to be unforgettable and a band known for their unwavering commitment to perform. Don’t miss out—secure your tickets to catch them live at a nearby festival or during their tour in November next year.
Review & Photographs by James Edmond Photography
