I paid for these tickets, but I wasn't supposed to be going. The person intended for the second ticket double-booked herself, so my wife took me instead.
The arena was still filling when the support act, Brian Kennedy, took the stage. He used to be famous, having represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest (and some other stuff). I said to my wife, if he was playing in the pub, we'd go somewhere else. His set was cringeworthy. The longer he went on, the more it felt like an audition for The Voice, where none of the judges turned. Performing solo with a full band backing track, he didn't have the voice or charisma to fill the stage, never mind the arena. His strumming of the acoustic guitar on certain songs seemed a pointless affair.
One of his actual lines: "Only in Glasgow that happens. It's like Belfast."
Marti should have gone for someone local and up-and-coming to woo the home crowd. Anyone would have been better than Brian.
This was a gig where 95% of the audience was female. It felt like a gigantic hen night. I was surrounded by oestrogen, albeit sometimes of the HRT variety. The girl who sat next to my wife warned us that she was Marti's biggest fan and danced and whooped for the entire show, except for her toilet and bar breaks. You can hear her whoops on my videos. Surprisingly, no one exiting the row disturbed us this time. The benefit of seats near the centre.
Marti was on fire (not literally, although his shirt did have what looked like a flame effect). He's adapted his voice well to present it at its best, though he's not always able to hit the high notes like he used to. Nothing wrong with that, though. It was a massive accomplishment to fill the Hydro. Even he couldn't believe that so many would come see him, the wee boy from Clydebank.
I was impressed by his setlist, barring a couple of dips. Blue for You, which I didn't know was WWW's attempt at a Bond theme, signalled the audience's first exodus at the 45-minute mark. A second, minor one occurred half an hour later during I Can Give You Everything. They should have waited till This Time, which didn't work for me. His new song was surprisingly good, though I'm pleased he left the other new ones out of the set (new album for sale in the foyer).
The show came alive and was less of a sing-along when he funked up his music, giving the band a chance to let loose and the audience a reason to get up and groove. His version of Let's Dance was particularly good, his voice benefiting from the deep tone. I adore that song.
The staging was basic, and the lighting lacked imagination or expense. From our seats, we could barely see the rear-stage screen, thanks to the imposing big screen on the left of the stage. His band were good, though, and my eyes couldn't help but be drawn to his backing singers on a number of occasions. Sparklingly attractive and talented.
The "No Marti, No Party" anthem erupted from time to time, picked up by the bass player and played along to the tune of Seven Nation Army. It bonds an audience when they have a theme tune to claim as their own. Other examples I've experienced: Gies a Bun for Fish and Here we, Here we, Here we fucking go for Biffy Clyro (and now every other band that plays in Glasgow).
I've never attended a gig where so many people didn't know how to take a video without having their torchlight on. The low wall in front of me had regular shadows of my bald head. Either that or they were keeping me in the spotlight, thinking I was an interloper who shouldn't have been there.
I didn't think I would enjoy this gig, but I did. The boy from Banky done good.
Setlist
Cold, Cold Heart (Wet Wet Wet song)
Lip Service (Wet Wet Wet song)
Wishing I Was Lucky (Wet Wet Wet song)
I Don't Believe (Sonny's Letter) (Wet Wet Wet song)
If I Never See You Again (Wet Wet Wet song)
Sweet Little Mystery (Wet Wet Wet song)
Sweet Surrender (Wet Wet Wet song)
East of the River (Wet Wet Wet song)
Blue for You (Wet Wet Wet song)
Don't Want to Forgive Me Now (Wet Wet Wet song)
Angel Eyes (Wet Wet Wet song)
With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)
I Can Give You Everything (Wet Wet Wet song)
This Time (Wet Wet Wet song)
Ain't No Stopping Us Now / Le Freak (McFadden & Whitehead cover)
Narcissista (New Marti Pellow Solo)
Temptation (Wet Wet Wet song)
Encore
Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
Goodnight Girl (Wet Wet Wet song)
Love Is All Around (The Troggs cover)
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| In which hand do I keep my talent? |
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| You're wrong. Both hands are empty. |
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| What colour would you like: red or blue? |
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| I keep my talent between my hips |
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| They keep their talents from the boots up. |
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| Security girl looking fed up |
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| Workplace harassment? |
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