I was pleasantly surprised by how lovely a city Glasgow is, as we arrived at ten in the morning of the gig we had plenty of time to explore. The city is rich with beautiful architecture and is a real shopper’s paradise (the girlfriend was undeniably impressed!) We decided to head to the gig early as it was unreserved seating. The O2 academy was situated a couple of minutes walk from the main streets. The queue was winding its way around the block and down the street with 40 minutes before the doors would open, and it was clear that the attendees were genuine devotees. A mish mash of flannel checked shirts snaked round the old building - I always get a kick out of the guys who are literally the head off of Ryan, a nice bunch as always.
We were in luck and secured two seats dead centre in the 6th row. The academy was a lovely building from the inside boasting balcony seats and a huge stage. Jessie Malin was the support for the night and played a nice set for an hour. The set was punctuated with funny/slightly disturbing stories of the road and childhood, and to be frank I felt he spent too much time in one-way, somewhat self-indulgent conversation with the crowd and I really couldn't warm to him at all. I have listened to his stuff a few times but never could connect with the music, though admire the songs themselves. The stilted set and forced banter reaffirmed that I'm not a fan, but the crowd enjoyed it and it set it up nicely for Ryans arrival.
I had a good idea of the show/treat we were about to get thanks to great reviews and the lovely people over at ryanadamsarchive.com but nothing prepared us for the amazing 26 song, 2 and half hour acoustic bliss we experienced. He just seemed to be having such a great time weaving in and out of his discography aided by an endearingly dishevelled book of songs on front of him. He seems to have fallen back in love with his solo stuff and we got 5 from "Heartbreaker" and 4 from "Gold" his first two solo records. An amazing set spanned the length of his releases including “16 days” from his previous band "Whiskeytown". Unusually, he didn't play any new tracks in such a massive set but I wasn't complaining. Throughout the current tour he has been showcasing some new tunes so hopefully we will see a new solo album soon. I picked up a 2 track 7 inch at the gig with an Alice in Chains cover of “Nutshell” and a lovely new track entitled “Empty Room” - it’s a sound of good things to come.
As you may know, it can sometimes be hard to tell what Ryan will show up on the night, and on this particular night we had a phone go off, People shouting out stuff, people shuffling to the bathroom and people recording the show on camera. All these things in previous gigs would have set him off and would have disrupted the flow but it didn't faze him one bit as he threw back fun banter and seemed in such great form. He gave out about recording the show on phones/cameras and said we should just enjoy the moment; I respected this and didn't take out the camera once. Some may perceive this as somewhat diva-esque behaviour but I think everybody genuinely respected it, was just something he is not cool with, which is fair enough. You could speculate as to the reasons behind this aversion to recording in gigs, and it could be for many reasons, but I suspect that in this stripped back setting, with the singer completely exposed with only a guitar/piano for company – it may be that blinking red lights/flashes may be distracting, and may unearth a sense of insecurity in the performer, which is very understandable.
At times he seemed a little nervous and lacked confidence in his own ability, being especially self-deprecating about his ability on the piano, but he had no need to be. Some hilarious banter ensued throughout the night including telling a guy to take his girlfriend home as he caught her falling asleep – “She has enough alt country for the night, take her home while you still can” :)
After playing for ages it looked like there would be no encore and that he had just played straight through. After "Come Pick Me Up" the house lights went up as did the crowd to a standing ovation, and Ryan seemed delighted heading off. I put the coat on and started to head out, and just as we were all remarking on what a great night it was, the lights went down and back he came, announcing
“I know it’s passed curfew, but to hell with it”. He played 6 more. He ruffled through his songbook like a mad scientist and handpicked some gems, including some audience requests. He was hesitant to play "Dear Chicago" when it was shouted out but thankfully obliged. He was not happy with the outcome himself but it was one hell of a rendition. Someone right at the end shouted for "Goodnight Rose" and misheard it for "Goodnight Bob" and he then lashed into an off the cuff tune about a guy who owned a failed Laundromat and a crap car. Seeing as there was nothing that could really follow that, the evening drew to a close. A very funny end to an amazing night and off he went content to another standing ovation. One of the best gigs I was ever at, if not the best. Thanks for an amazing weekend and well worth the trip from Limerick. Cheers!
Oh My Sweet Carolina
Why Do They Leave?
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Carolina Rain
Blue Hotel
If I Am a Stranger
New York, New York
Firecracker
My Winding Wheel
Let It Ride
Desire
Sweet Illusions
Everybody Knows
To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)
Two
The Rescue Blues
16 Days
Kiss Improv - Take That Girl Home
This House is Not for Sale
SYLVIA PLATH
Come Pick Me Up
Encore:
English Girls Approximately
September
Halloween
Dear Chicago
Jacksonville Skyline
Goodnight Bob Improv
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4 comments:
Great review of what was a wonderful show! Ryan Adams is so incredibly talented, with a back catalogue of music unrivalled by any artist in this day and age, I think. It was such an amazing experience to listen to, as you said, him weaving in and out of songs from the last decade. Absolutely fantastic!
I guess the only negative for me (which I realised long after the musical high) was his attitude. I don't think I'm as forgiving of you when it comes to his on-stage demeanour! I went to the show with three RA fans who were definitely just casual fans, rather than myself, a hugely committed fan. They were put off by his outburst re: taping and felt that the confiscation of cameras, limited drinking times etc took away from the enjoyment of the night. One of my friends actually said "this is the most stressful gig I've ever been at".
For me, I really only settled into the gig at about the Let It Ride mark (thank the lord he played for so much longer!) but even when he played Sweet Illusions and some of the crowd (myself included) clapped at the intro to the song, he stopped playing saying "how do you even know what song it is?", nearly making me feel embarrassed that I was such a huge fan I could tell what song it is on the first few notes.
I'm rambling. I think Glasgow was a vast improvement in behaviour from RA in comparison to the latter end of the Cardinals shows and although alcohol-fuelled hi-jinks are pretty rock and roll, it's good he's grown out of that phase as well. I thought musically, the show was one of the best I've ever seen. BUT still, his attitude bugs me. I think RA is like that Oscar Wilde quote: "I'd never want to be part of a club that would have me as a member" syndrome and he needs to get over it! :)
Musically though, 100% brilliant! ;)
well said, he bugged me at the national stadium gig a few years back, at you shouldnt have to go to a gig where you have to walk on egg shells to keep the dude you paid hard earned money to see happy.
It was an amazing gig, nothing compares to the long set he played, my kingdom for a bootleg but none has surfaced yet. Even though there is about 5 bootlegs from the tour knocking around. Cheers for the comment
If you find a bootleg, let me know! I'd sacrifice my first born for one!! ;)
Hey that ticket was so expensive.. i did not afford one.
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