Admiral Fallow Stripped Back Instore Performance - Assai Records, Glasgow. Saturday 9th May, 2026

A free gig from one of my faves, well, four of them, performing a stripped back set for their adoring fans. I was so jealous of the bloke to my right, taking videos with his undisturbed view,  while I had a tall, bald chap blocking my eyeline. Loads of kids formed a creche down the front (literally - they were all toddlers), Louis commenting that one was dancing so much (his son?), the taller people at the back would do well to copy his moves.

The sound was crystal clear, the music beautiful. A lovely atmosphere. Shame I couldn't wait to get anything signed, as I had a parent to collect from the station (rail, not police).

  

Setlist

Avalanche

Living For You

The Paper Trench

Tuesday Grey

Headstrong

Dead Against Smoking (Louis fluffed the lyrics after his phone screen switched off)

Guest of the Government

Four Bulbs

Free gig (unticketed)

Sauchiehall Street was hosting a mini festival today. These guys were on stage as I headed for Central Station (2pm).

 

Admiral Fallow, St Lukes, Glasgow. Saturday 4th December, 2021.

Sometimes you buy tickets for a gig and then when it comes along, you're not in the mood. When their new album, The Idea of You, came out, it left me initially underwhelmed so my enthusiasm was low plus my wife had made other plans, leaving me with a spare ticket. Should I just punt the pair instead? The gig was sold out so it was likely I could get rid of them. 

No, I thought. Go along. You like Admiral Fallow. They are a class act.

So I asked a friend if he wanted a free gig and he accepted, kindly offering to drive us up so I didn't kill him on the journey after a rather intense day at work. 

We got there at 7.20pm for doors opening at 7.30pm and were eighth in the queue. Not quite what I had intended (where was everyone?) but we waited, had our Covid passes checked, had our ticket stubs torn off and then our wrists stamped before being allowed entry into the main room. We found a pillar table, downed some soft drinks and had a chinwag until the support act came on.

I'd never heard or heard of Pour Moi. They play Americana (?), no doubt with heartfelt lyrics but I couldn't make out what the bearded main man was signing. All their songs were performed at one of two paces: slow and slower (except for the last number which speeded up to medium). I was disappointed. Poor, indeed. But at least I could see them.

Maybe the sensible ones knew what Pour Moi were like and waited in the bar next door because, by the time Admiral Fallow ambled on stage, the venue was packed. I lost my good view to a young couple, both of whom were as tall as me, only she had thick, long blonde hair, which had the view-blocking power of a bath towel draped over her head. Whenever he closed in for a hug or to rub her back, my viewing angle disappeared. So I entertained myself by imagining how he was really into her but she wasn't into him, then she spoiled my game by reciprocating his affection. Ah, to be young and in love.

Then another group migrated their way into the narrow space between us, a not quite-as-young couple and their Art Garfunkel-lookalike friend (whom I noticed was missing a hand). The bloke chatted frequently to Art about how much he liked the band, ignoring the fact that they were playing during his conversation. How inconsiderate of them! At one point, I even considered broadcasting their chat on Facebook Live as it definitely wasn't private. It was fascinating to watch Art clap with his pint in his mouth or use his phone to take pictures. And good for him. He was certainly proficient at carrying three pints back to his pals midway through the show. Not quite at Paralympian level but close (not that there is a Paralympic event for carrying pints of lager).

Despite my initial reservations (and the crowd in front of me), I still enjoyed listening to the music. Their set contained enough variety between soulful ballads and quick-paced bouncy numbers to hold my interest and the lead singer's banter is always modestly engaging. When the band gathered at the front of the stage for Four Bulbs at the start of the encore, the audience fell appreciatively silent, giving the number a reverence that worked well in the former church venue. 

They are a class act indeed. 

Setlist  

Subbuteo

Sleepwalking

Electric Eyes

The Grand National, 1993

Holding The Strings

The Paper Trench

Evangeline

Dead Against Smoking

Three Weeks

Dragonfly

Guest of the Government

Squealing Pigs

Tuesday Grey

Encore:

Four Bulbs

Old Balloons

Admiral Fallow, St Luke's, Glasgow. Thursday, 5th December. 2019

There's always less energy in the room when a band plays new songs that have yet to be released. Admiral Fallow unveiled a number of new tunes last night but that was okay because the whole point of the gig was to raise enough money to record their new album. 

Support came in the form of Angie McMahon, an Aussie singer/songwriter who sings moderately sad songs (her description) while strumming an electric acoustic guitar. She has a quirky personality, appears a little shy but has a lovely, self-deprecating sense of humour and a sweet smile. Her speaking voice is like honey whereas her singing voice is deep and throaty, reminiscent of Chrissie Hynde and Florence Welch (of 'And The Machine'). Her songs were okay but didn't really warm up the crowd.

Prior to their performance, Admiral Fallow appeared on stage to tune their own equipment. It was that kind of gig. They hadn't toured in three years and admitted to being a bit rusty, especially showcasing new material. That didn't stop it being a fun gig. Louis Abbot is a great singer with a distinctive voice and the band are all accomplished musicians, changing instruments as the song required. I'm not sure if the new stuff is as good as the old ones but that could be down to unfamiliarity. 

    

I made the mistake of standing too close to the front. It became quite crowded and there wasn't a lot of wiggle room to get a better view when the tall people pushed their way forward. My photos weren't great partly because of my proximity to the stage and because of the smoke/lighting combination being used (either that of my new phone camera sucks).

One amusing highlight came at the start of the encore. As the band gathered to sing 'Four Bulbs', only accompanied by Louis on instrumental guitar, the music from the next door bar bled through loudly. They got on with it anyway and it was still a moving version.  

Overall, I'm glad I went. Gigs after work can sometimes be a drag but Admiral Fallow were good. I'm looking forward to their new album whenever it is ready.

     

Setlist

Sleepwalking

Electric Eyes

Subbuteo

Paper Trench

3 Weeks

Happened in The Fall

The Possibility

Tree Bursts

Dead Against Smoking

Squealing Pigs

Guest Of The Government

The Grand National, 1993

Evangeline

Salt

Tuesday Grey

Encore:

Four Bulbs

Old Balloons

Admiral Fallow, Paisley Town Hall, Fri 14th Oct, 2016

I've raved about this band before. There is something about them that speaks to the Scotsman in me. Louis Abbott's vocals are as Scottish as whiskey blending perfectly with the indie pop voice of Sarah Hayes. Everything about the band melds, with multi- percussion, clarinet and flute, heavy drum beats, pounding bass and tuneful guitar licks. Their lyrics are poetic and heartfelt. They have three albums to their name, with a fourth due sometime next year, yet they've never had a hit, which is probably why the gig was not sold out.

It wasn't a perfect night: I forgot my phone so no piccies of the gig;

prior to the show, the server in Saporito messed up our order (no biggie and sorted quickly with apologies); then, after a stressful week, we elected to sit in the balcony, only for a G4S goon to strut in suited all in black, except for his ID lanyard, company striped tie and silver sideburns with receding slicked-backed grey hair, announcing the balcony was closed and we were all to get out, pointing down to the ground floor standing area like some referee sending us off. Grudgingly we complied, only to find others who objected were allowed to remain. There were about thirty of us decanted, with four objectors 'sitting' their ground. What really pissed me off was watching the balcony slowly refill with people obviously unaware the balcony was closed. As the gig wasn't a sellout, I can understand why they wanted to make the floor look more full but if you're going to make a rule, stick to it. It scunnered me.

The support act, Andrew Wasylyk, from Dundee, played solo on guitar and keyboards and was fine. A bit one tone but he has a good voice. A bit like a skinny, bearded seventies singer-songwriter playing from the heart.

The sound in the venue was great right up to the encore when the sound guys forgot to switch half the speakers back on until midway through the final track. It was disconcerting only hearing the music from above, like a gig in another venue bleeding through.

As we left, it looked like the Abbey and its grounds had been graffitied at a jaunty angle with the 'Paisley 2021' logo but it was just a projection. This time.

Admiral Fallow, Celtic Connections, the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow. Sat 30th Jan 2016

Admiral Fallow played a sold-out gig at The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow tonight. Support came in the shape of Hannah Lou Clark who strummed a distorted electric guitar, occasionally backed by a drum machine, while warbling away her songs. Nuff said about her.

Admiral Fallow have a very distinctive Scottish sound, due in part to the burl of lead singer Louis Abbot. They're hard to describe: imagine a pint of Scottish art college band, with a chaser of Mumford and Sons and a dash of Radiohead, then add extra percussion, a clarinet, flute and an accordion, then go and listen to them on Itunes. Good gig and a very eclectic crowd: from geriatrics down to teens all enjoying a Celtic Connection.

Setlist
Happened in The Fall
Carousel
Holding The Strings
Guest Of The Government
Dead Against Smoking
Subbuteo
Building As Foreign
Evangeline
Four Bulbs
Tree Bursts
The Paper Trench
Brother
Squealing Pigs
Easy As Breathing

Encore:
Liquor And Milk
Isn't This World Enough??
Old Balloons