On a damp night in Glasgow, the first night of The Stranglers Fifty Years in Black Anniversary Tour commenced, marking the opening night with a surge of anticipation. Fans eagerly queued outside the venue, buzzing with excitement and curiosity about what the show would bring. With no support band scheduled, the crowd knew that they were in for a unique experience as The Stranglers prepared to deliver two sets that would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
As the lights dimmed, the anticipation grew as the band prepared to take the stage, and the crowd erupted in cheers as they caught their first glimpse of Jean-Jacques Burnel and Baz Warne. Standing alongside Toby Hounsham and Jim MacAulay in the background, the band opened with the powerful tracks “Just Like Nothing on Earth” and “Hallow To Our Men” from their iconic album, The Gospel According to the Meninblack. JJ Burnel addressed the crowd, assuring them that they would soon move past the strange songs of the first set as the haunting chords of “The Raven” reverberated throughout the venue. The setlist was a collection of beloved classics, such as “Baroque Bordello” from the Raven album, as the night became a joyous celebration of the band’s fifty-year anniversary.
Some of the highlights of the first set were truly memorable, starting with the incredible performance of Genetix, followed by the long-awaited live debut of Breathe from the Dark Matters album. The song sounded absolutely amazing and seamlessly blended with the beloved classics from their earlier works. It was evident that both Baz and JJ relished the opportunity to perform it live. The set concluded with the crowd-pleasing Hanging Around and a phenomenal rendition of Down in the Sewer, leaving everyone in awe. It was undeniably a mind-blowing set, filled with numerous musical gems, and executed flawlessly. After such an exhilarating performance, the band took a well-deserved short break before returning for the next set.
The band returned to the stage and immediately delighted the fans with their excellent performance of Waltinblack, which set the perfect tone for the second set. The band was in top form, and the Glasgow fans were left in awe as they witnessed powerful renditions of Who Wants the World, Dagenham Dave, and Duchess, with the venue erupting in full voice. Throughout the second set, standout moments included the captivating performances of Ships That Pass in the Night, Threatened, and Lost Control. The crowd swayed and sang along to favorites like Peaches, Skin Deep, Always the Sun, and Golden Brown.
The atmosphere was electric as the band took the stage, their passion evident in every note they played. Baz’s vocals were nothing short of extraordinary, while JJ showcased his incredible talent with bass chord runs that left the crowd in awe. As the set neared its end, the band delivered a powerful performance of White Stallion from their recent album Dark Matters, followed by fan favourites Tank and Something Better Change from their iconic 1978 albums. The Glasgow crowd immersed themselves in celebrating the band’s fifty years of music, singing along and enjoying every moment. Glasgow demanded an encore as the band left the stage to a roar of anticipation.
After a few minutes, JJ and Baz took their places on stage, ready to begin the encore. They were transported back to where it all began in 1977 with the iconic Rattus Norvegicus album and the timeless Go Buddy Go. As the band declared that this would be their final song, there was no better way to end the show than with No More Heroes, a track from the very same album. The ecstatic fans in Glasgow were fortunate enough to witness their musical heroes tonight, and both the band and the audience savoured every moment of the performance. With heartfelt waves and goodbyes, the band bid farewell to their adoring fans in Glasgow.
Wow, what an opening night of the tour! The Stranglers delivered an unforgettable setlist, and their performance was absolutely second to none. It was evident that tonight was all about celebrating their remarkable 50-year journey, and they certainly threw one big party from the very beginning. If you have the opportunity, make sure to catch them at a venue near you, because this is a night you won’t want to miss.
