Who knew that after the last time Goodbye Mr MacKenzie played Barrowland in 2019 we’d have such a long wait until they returned, but return they did and boy was it worth the wait. The gig in The Garage in 2018 was special because it was a gig I thought I’d never see again, the heightened emotions from all in attendance meant a night that will live long in the memory, as will the return to Barrowland the following year, another special night. How would they be able to follow such a pair of remarkable Glasgow gigs?
Before I reveal all, I can’t omit the support bands. Without any offence to Callum Easter who, resplendent in a white suit, with his sidekick playing drums Mo Tucker style and impressing the Glasgow crowd with his performance, particularly with the title song of his latest album System, the pick of the pair for me was the sublime performance from Lola is Slacks on their debut Barrowland gig. Those who were there early enough were treated to a masterclass in sophistication, the band kicking off proceedings with Lunar Moth before, mid set, turning the atmosphere in Barrowland into that of an intimate smoky Parisian bar with the inimitable Trocchis Canal, and then closing an all too short set with an incredible version of Strawberry Locks. Stunning. Everyone needs to hear this band.
So, did Goodbye Mr MacKenzie manage to live up to the expectations they set in their previous two Glasgow outings? You bet they did. With bells on. And with a cherry on top. Tonight felt different. Tonight didn’t feel like just a gig. It was a dramatic, almost theatrical performance. From the imposing figure of Martin Metcalfe complete with a Stipe-esque warpaint stripe across his eyes and Maria Rudd designed jacket, to the stunning musical arrangements of the songs. From the perfectly chosen setlist and track order, to the tight musicianship. Things came together in a perfect storm to create yet another special night in the iconic ballroom.
As the band took to the stage each took their applause, with Big John taking the lions share of the applause in his impressive Mac man shirt. I marvelled at Fin in shirt, tie and jacket, before he peeled off layer after layer down to a t-shirt. He surely must have a portrait in his attic as he seems not to have changed one bit since I first saw the band back in the 80’s. Anyway, kicking off with an impressive brace from the band’s debut album in His Masters Voice and Open Your Arms, the band proceeded to treat the lucky throng to a glorious series of perfectly formed MacKenzie classics from across their back catalogue – a brawny in your face Hard, an addictively brash Love Child and a soaring Blacker Than Black to name but a few.
The highlight of the night for me had to be a mid set trio of songs that took the performance and emotions of this gig to another level. Kicking off with an epically menacing version of Niagara which saw Metcalfe creeping and snarling across the stage, before the pinnacle of the evening for me. Shivers ran up and down my spine as I heard the opening bars of Amsterdam, a song which still evokes memories of an unforgettable performance of the song back in the Pavilion in the late 80s. Despite this Jaques Brel song being covered by the likes of musical legends like Bowie and Scott Walker, my favourite version has always been by the MacKenzies Tonight they made it their own. It was untouchable . Metcalfe’s vocal was unfaltering, the musicianship was impeccable, the slow build to the dramatic crescendo. Everything was flawless. A consummate performance. I could have gone home happy right there and then. But then I would have missed a powerful performance of Face to Face, the third in a faultlessly quintessential trio of Goodbye Mr MacKenzie classics.
Martin took a breather handing over vocal duties to John for their take on The Cramps (or to be accurate Jack Scott and the Chantones) standard The Way I Walk to a rapturous reception, and then Tippi Hedron led the way on Normal Boy. Interesting fact fans, Tippi was the second member of The Hedrons on stage tonight with drummer Lesley having already appeared with Lola in Slacks (diversion time – check out The Hedrons reissued album on LNFG and then catch them live in The Poetry Club in October …).
After a breathless set, there was a triumvirate of classic MacKenzie songs to round off an epic evenings entertainment. Closing their set with “the should have been a massive number one all over the world hit”, The Rattler, the Barrowland sang back every word in unison, a sound to behold. The band took their well deserved applause but the night was far from over, returning for a boisterous Goodwill City, and ”this really is goodbye” closer Goodbye Mr MacKenzie itself, both of which were obviously received with a vigorously ebullient response, a wave of euphoric release palpable around me.
If that’s how they responded to their last two triumphant outings in Glasgow, what the hell can I expect next time round? I await ith bated breath…
