Duncan Reid & the Big Heads Live in Scotland

Reservoir Droog

Live music fans in Glasgow and Edinburgh are in for a treat this weekend as one of the highlights of the live music calendar comes to both cities. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era for one promoter.

Arch Droog and all-round gentleman Alex “Mainy” Main is the promoter for this weekend’s gigs in Glasgow’s Nice n Sleazy on Friday and Bannermans in Edinburgh on Saturday. These are two of the last few gigs he will be promoting, but what a way to bow out. Whatever you do, if you love live music, do yourself a huge favour, don’t miss this weekend’s gigs.

Unlike the current shambles in Westminster, the line-up here is strong and stable, and as far as I know, other than Mainy, there will be no resignations before the event. So, forget all the Brexit bollocks and get your arse out to see three (yes THREE) top live acts for your hard-earned cash.

PowderKeg

First up it is PowderKeg. If you like your rock music with a hard-edged punky glamourous stomp to it, don’t miss this lot. Think the raw power and punk edged rock of The Wildhearts/Backyard Babies and, keeping it Scandanavian, mix in the glam energy of Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks and you wouldn’t be far wrong. A perfect opening to proceedings, get your glam on and get ready to rawk, as this will probably be your last chance to see them in 2018.

Check out their video for “Make Up Your Mind”:

ReAction

Next up it is original Airdrie punks ReAction. The band have a new album fresh off the presses so expect a mixture of tremendous new classics along with some of the old live favourites. If you haven’t got it or heard it, this is your perfect opportunity to pick up a copy of their new album “Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired”. Pour yourself an Eldorado, pull on your Cuban heels and march through town to either of these venues.

Watch recent single “Days of Eldorado” here:

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads

Completing the line-up is arguably the best live band in the country. Ex-The Boys bass player Duncan “Kid” Reid brings his talented troupe Duncan Reid and the Big Heads north of the border once again to conquer the live arena and slay all those who dare to try to wrest their crown. Winter is coming, and I for one will be bending the knee in Sleazy’s to the awesome power pop punk served up by Reid & Co. Abundantly talented guitarists Sophie K Powers & the very busy (and recent star of Dinner Date) Nick Hughes and keeping the band in check the magnificent Karen Jones on drums. The music is catchy and rocking, the songs are aural and lyrical treats and eminently important the band are having fun, and talented at totally involving and bringing the crowd along with them.

Watch their video for “Bombs Away”:

Hat trick?

For the past two years, the bands gigs have been my favourites of the year – can Friday in Sleazy’s make it three in a row?

Undoubtedly, Duncan Reid and the Big Heads themselves would make these gigs memorable, but kudos must go to Mainy and the other bands involved for making each of these gigs events in their own right.

Heavy Drapes

The supporting line-ups have been inspired, including as they have the above mentioned, plus in past years Three Minute Heroes playing various pop, punk and rock classics in their own inimitable style, Media Whores taking all the issues of the day and turning them into perfect 3 minute glorious tunes and obviously the mighty Heavy Drapes with the much missed “singer in a fucking punk rock band” Garry Borland (DeLiberate).

It is still a very tender memory for many and emotions are close to the surface. I’m sure those in attendance will be raising a glass to Garry this weekend. ReAction seem like a natural band to fill this space, with members of both bands being friends often having played together in the past – Dread Meets Punk Rock, Kiss This and many more – and guitarist Joe having written a heart-felt tribute to Garry in Vive Le Rock magazine.

Try to pull out all stops and make it along to one of these gigs, I promise you will have an amazing night. Oh, sod it, I GUARANTEE you’ll have a great night and I know for a fact there will be plenty of brilliant people in the crowd too.

Last Great Dreamers

I know life gets in the way sometimes, so if you can’t make it along this weekend, you still have one last opportunity to support Mainy before he bows out and enjoys his gigs as a punter next year. Last Great Dreamers play Nice n Sleazy on the 8th of December. Personally, I haven’t been fortunate enough to catch them live, but my reliable sources tell me they are a band you must see. I couldn’t disagree based on what I’ve heard of their recorded output.

See you down the front on Friday!