Something unusual this way comes… Tom Meighan chose Cottiers in Glasgow to launch his new album ‘Road Runner’. Chosen out of love for the Scottish fans, Cottiers is a stunning converted church in the West End area of Glasgow; better known for hosting weddings the venue really should be on the radar for more gigs as it’s a superb hall.
The order of service for tonight is kicking off with a short on stage intro from Tom and the straight into a full playback of the new album It sounds sweet through the PA system and met with much acclaim from those present. There are some cracking tunes on ‘Road Runner’
A very short interlude made way for Tom’s manager, Jules.
Jules gave a brief resume of the Tom Meighan machine as it rises after an enforced break away from the scene. She gave much thanks to everyone for the love and support they had shown Tom as he tries to make his re-entry into rock n roll after his much publicised issue.
Tom is back…
It was time now for a short Q&A with Tom and Jules… it was all very sanitized and included questions about Irn Bru and equally banal nonsense. It was a shame as there was an opportunity to let fans into the world of Tom Meighan… at least we now know he likes Irn Bru and Tunnocks tea cakes!
On the bright side he did replay a story from his time with the Gallagher brothers; it’s a bit too long to transcribe on here but safe to say it involved shenanigans!
At the conclusion of the Q&A a live performance from Tom playing at IOW festival played on the big on stage screen before the main man took to the small stage. This is an intimate show and those front and centre were less than a metre from the front man… most fans behaved impeccably bar for one who, for whatever reason decided to run across the stage in pursuit of Tom; he was quickly ushered back by the solitary security bloke.
The gig tonight was tagged ‘RAW ’24’ due to it being played entirely by Tom and two others on acoustic guitars. It was raw but refined; it was raw but well rehearsed.
Tom was on fire from the get go as he patrolled the small stage area whilst making good eye contact with faces in the crowd that he recognised and continually singing praises of thanks to everyone present.
He seems like a really genuine lad and was almost in tears on a few occasions as he realised the enormity of what possibly lies ahead in his journey back to the top,
There were a few unguarded digs at cancel culture after Tom was relegated to the depths of obscurity after his transgression; he’s paid a penance and deserves the opportunity to resurrect his career. He also gleefully announced “this is my song” or “I own this song” as he played songs from the Kasabian years (or ‘from my time in another band’)
The set was cracking and sets up the Glasgow audience for a show at the world famous Barrowlands Ballroom later in the year.
Tom can talk and talk and talk…. He likes a gab! You get the feeling he’d be brilliant on a night out with his stories and general demeanour. A genuine emotional lad; he quivered a few times to fight back the tears of joy at his current situation.
Someone should have warned him about football chat though. There are few cities as divided as Glasgow when it comes to football. What seems like an innocent throw away line can cause major grief here… football and politics are a non starter at gigs in Glasgow!
All in all it looks like Tom Meighan is on the up and up; the self acclaimed best frontman in the world has set himself the target of playing venues such as the OVO Hydro in the very near future. If the perfect storm of his talent and a forgiving (or forgetting) music buying public collides then there is more than a fair chance of him taking the path back to the top; tonights limited number, sold out gig and album release party are the proof of the Tom Meighan pudding.
See you later in the year sir…
Photos & Review by John Brown
