elbow, Summer Nights at the Bandstand, Glasgow. Saturday 9th August, 2025

When Summer Nights announced elbow were playing two nights at the Bandstand, my wife expressed a wish to go. On the day the tickets went on sale, I forgot. Thankfully, they announced a third date as I logged in, so I managed to acquire tickets for Saturday's gig.

I am not a massive fan of the band. I'm familiar with a couple of their songs. When I try to listen to them for a prolonged period, I often have to switch them off, tiring of Guy Garvey's vocals. They're just not my thing, but I went along anyway to make a deposit in the brownie point bank, having made a number of large withdrawals recently.

I hadn't done much planning ahead of the gig. The weather threatened showers, so a raincoat seemed appropriate (I considered taking my poncho, but the absence of its carry pouch, lost at Maidstone, meant the alternative - a dog poo bag - was too embarrassing on home soil). I forgot such essentials as a cushion for the stone benches and extra layers for when the sun set. 

I found a yellow line to park upon just off Argyle Street, and we headed in just after the doors opened, finding a seat behind the empty VIP area. I took off my jacket so we could sit on it as the stone bench was wet. By the time Zoe Graham took the stage, we'd moved closer to the centre at the request of the staff, urging us to cram together (it's not a doctor's surgery). 

Zoe's parents were in the VIP area. They stood out as they were of an older generation and were both dressed smartly. Guy's sister (with two others) sat in front of us, then moved when a family of Dutch youngsters invaded, along with their parents and grandparents. We had the youngest ones in front of us.

Our view of the stage was great, until the VIPs stood up, but that wasn't until much later, during elbow's set. Zoe played solo tonight, her band consisting of a backing track machine, leaving her to do the singing and guitar licks. She was good. Again, not really my kind of music, but her Glasgow bants warmed me to her. It was her birthday too, so we all sang her that song. During one song, she promised that if we all sang along, the rain would go away, and it did.

Zoe Graham

More celebs appeared in the VIP area. Actor Brian Vernal from Gangs of London looked exactly like his character from that series (minus the blood, and very much alive). Craig Armstrong, composer, I wouldn't have known unless Guy had namechecked him. Sanjeev Kholi (Naveed from Still Game) was immediately recognisable. He's so tall, and his spectacles must have a huge prescription.

Brian Vernal

Sanjeev Kholi (sitting down)

Craig Armstrong (on the left)

elbow were magnificent. Playing as a ten-piece, including strings, brass and backing singers, they brought the love to Glasgow. Guy is like a massive teddy bear with a mellifluous voice, bestowing an aura of calm across proceedings. He's like your good-humoured, big mate from the pub, only he can sing. His songs are poetic and personal, soaring across the amphitheatre. The sound was crystal clear, far better than any gig I've attended recently. Yes, I was freezing, but the warmth of the people around me helped stifle that.

I didn't see any of my friends who were also at the gig. The structure of the space limited wandering. Having said that, one punter spent the entire evening pacing along the walkway in front of us and the VIPs, saluting the band with arms open wide, singing along. At one point, as he ran along, he high-fived the whole row. He was pissed, of course, but delightful. A happy drunk. 

On the way home, we stopped off for a warm hot chocolate and doughnuts at Tim Hortons. The night had been good, but cold. Summer Nights in Glasgow require thermals next time.

The Seldom Seen Kid

I loved how they illuminated the trees in the background

Ticket Price: £55.00 x2 = £110
£5.50 (Service Charge Full Price Ticket) x2 & £1.50 (Facility Charge Full Price Ticket) x2 = £14.00
Handling Fee (£2.95) £2.95
Total £126.95 from Ticketmaster