Gallery - Slideshow & Review
Xmas Gig, Classic Grand, Glasgow, Scotland - 27th December 2007
Gig Reviews
Review 1 - Bruce Almighty, Glasgow.
I thought it was a really nice venue. Its now just over 3 years since I have seen this band and their show is different each gig. As soon as the set lists were stuck on the floor Shirl ran over shouting "Chelsea Girl!Chelsea Girl!" So it started with the two girls on bagpipes doing an intro to Glittering Prize and then SSIS. Chance next and then Premonition. One of the interesting things is the line up kept changing with Ian Donaldson, Derek Forbes, Carrie MacNeil and Jane button all doing lead vocals. Chelesa Girl was the highlight for me then it was more into the usual FGM setlist. Belfast Child is great and very different to the SM version. More of a Scottish country dance style in the end. The drummer Smiley is just fantastic. I love the transition between Heart Of Wonder and In A Big Country. It ended with a few of the SM hits LOL Well Waterfront was LOUD and you could feel the bass in your body and the walls. Shorter than SM but still very good. Finally Dont You which got the desired reaction LOL. For me the guitar need to be louder in the mix and it would be nice to hear it more like the Simple Minds guitar sound especially on songs like Waterfront but thats really a minor issue. Its great the way they are playing the old SM songs that nobody ( not even Simple Minds or the tribute bands!!) ever plays now Unless you were around 30 years ago the chance is that you have never heard these songs live so more please!! I love the Bowie version of Pablo Picasso from Reality. It would be interesting to see FGM try that. Tickets are cheap, the show is great and the band are accessible after the gigs. Definitely worth seeing so goto their next gig!!! It was really nice to meet Shirl,Keith, Alison,Loretta, Partik and Clynt (What a star!!LOL Cheque is in the post LOL)
Review 2 - Shirl Gibson, St.Helens, Merseyside.
We had a great time over the couple of days we were up in Glasgow. The gig day was pretty good.. pre-gig meet up at the Crystal Palace pub after checking in at the Jurys Inn. Those who were there had the chance to have a good chat before heading off to the venue. It was good to catch up with John (Hans Kurzen), Craig and his partner (Conor Lingus from Sosimpleminded forum) and also good to meet up with Eileen for the first time. Anna Meldrum was on fine form and a worthy support act for the lads. I especially liked her version of Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree. Fourgoodmen were on incredible form, and it was great to see Carrie taking the lead on some of the classic Simple Minds tracks. It was also refreshing to hear Derek take the lead on Changeling and Chelsea Girl. There was an 80s themed disco/after show party in the Classic Grand after the gig.. a real treat for those of us who "Just Can't Get Enough" of that era.
Yesterday we had a quieter day, a sort of chillout time. Patrik, Danish, Will, Eileen, Andrea, Jim, Keith and myself went to the Drawing Room in Sauchiehall Street for a few hours for food and drink before heading to Little Italy for lattes all round! (Thanks Will, bless your heart Smile ) Then it was on to Ashton Lane off Byres Road. I'd never been to that place before, but what a nugget of surprise with it's cobbled street and various pubs and eateries. I'm definitely putting it on the agenda for every future visit I make to Glasgow! We spent a few hours in The Loft, above the Grosvenor cinema. Andrea, Jim, Keith and I finished the night off with a few beers in the hotel bar.
Yet another fantastic weekend in Glasgow.. Hopefully back for more of the same in the not too distant future.
Review 3 - Edith De Boer, Krommenie, Netherlands.
We arrived in Glasgow the day of the gig, booked us a room at the Jurys Inn for two nights.
The pre-gig meeting at Crystal Palace was great, finally met some of the fans I have been chatting with for so long.
At the venue, we met all the others, which already promised the start of a fantastic evening to come. Especially loved meeting Hans Kurzen and had a great laugh about the big difference in height between my hubby Bart and Eileen! I was the tallest girl of the venue, but Bart was considered a giant!
The setlist was put on stage and I was thrilled to see so many early Simple Minds songs on it.
The concert was the best I've ever been to, and it was a great surprise to hear Derek sing Chelsea Girl and Changeling.
On our way to Glasgow I hoped they would sing Pleasantly Disturbed (my knickname as you all know!)... and they did! I've always liked that song and I think that Carrie has a good voice for it. Hope to hear more from her in the near future.
Fantastic after-party at the venue, managed to talk to Ian, Mick, Derek, Smiley, James...
Hans Kurzen joined our little group and it was great to have a little dance with him! After we all were kicked out of the venue at 2am, a small group of fans continued in the lobby of our hotel (too bad you didn't come to the hotel, Degsy! Wink). We had a lot of fun with Patrik, Danish, Mag, Cat, Sandra, Shirl, Loretta, Andrea and Jim. (Sandra, take good care of that whip, and take it with you when you ever come to Holland!)
Next day we spent walking around Glasgow and having a great evening (yes, some more heavy drinking!) with the guys of Transaudio. Completely knackered from two days of partying, we flew back home on the 29th. This gig was surely a dream to remember for a long time.
