Gig review: Glasgow's Hogmanay: George Square Street Party

Published on Friday 1 January 2010 20:51

THE BLACK HAND GANG *** BAHOOKIE *** TOMMY REILLY *** DEACON BLUE ****

THE fireworks were obscured by the mist, but Glasgow's revellers still found plenty to entertain them on a bitterly cold night. The blanket ban on carry-out alcohol arguably made for a more muted initial mood than in years past, with the controlled number of approved vendors inside George Square lending consumption a slightly regimented feel. Nevertheless, there was a good-natured atmosphere throughout the evening.

Kicking off proceedings were The Black Hand Gang, the local outfit who had earned their spot by winning the Road to Hogmanay contest for unsigned acts. Their songs of urban angst, blending raw Glaswegian grit with American blues-rock, augmented a mood of defiance in the face of recession. The catchy High Rise, followed by the nakedly emotive chorus and galloping beat of Bloody Hands and the Southern boogie rock of Setting Fires, certainly distinguished them as a group to keep an eye on.

Taking the stage perhaps a little early in the evening for their repeated exhortations to dance, yet well received in their kilts all the same, were ceilidh band Bahookie, who weaved their traditional jigs and reels through contemporary tunes by the Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol and Coldplay, along with a brief tribute to Deacon Blue and the virtually obligatory rendition of Caledonia.

Next up, another competition winner, Tommy Reilly, who triumphed in the 2008 Channel 4 Orange Unsigned Act contest, and here undeniably reiterated the high standard of grassroots musical talent in Scotland. Despite "dying from the flu", the young Glaswegian singer-songwriter was fine value, his guileless enthusiasm and acoustic, folk-flecked pop truly endearing him to the crowd.

His signature tune, the yearning Gimme A Call, was a standout, as was the shuffling Mind on Other Things, though a rather underwhelming solo rendition of The Killers' Mr Brightside was a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise impressive set.

Deacon Blue, pictured above, are the quintessential Glasgow Hogmanay band, with a solid back catalogue of anthemic pop, including closing number Queen of the New Year. There is a real sense of occasion whenever the band reconvenes, and they do a nice line in heart-on-sleeve expressions of civic pride, too – they dedicated the peerless, blue-collar Dignity to the council workers who'd shovelled snow away for the gig.

As ever, the "woohoo woohoo woohoos" of Real Gone Kid garnered the biggest reaction, followed straight after by Wages Day. That said, When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring), in which Ross segued briefly into In The Midnight Hour, and The Day That Jackie Jumped The Jail buoyed everyone for the big hits and the arm-linking of Auld Lang Syne that followed the bells.