Gig review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow

So it was no surprise that the loyal – and mostly elderly – fans who were crammed into Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium milked every last second of this opportunity to show some appreciation for the legendary southern lords – or what’s left of them at least.

Were they disappointed? Of course not. And although it was admittedly a little baffling to see full Scottish families, bridging at least three generations, draping the Confederate flag over the balconies, it was surely just another sign of appreciation and sheer glee at having the chance to experience some of the most recognisable American rock songs in recent history live and under the hot lights.

Running the gamut of blues-drenched rock ’n’ roll from hard-paced boogie to chilled, lighter-raising ballads, the band on stage – although very little remains of the original Skynyrd bar guitarist Gary Rossington and vocalist Johnny Van Zant who took over from his late brother, Ronnie, in the Eighties – were far above a simple tribute act.

By the time they hit Simple Man, the auditorium was alive with booming, crowd-assisted choruses and the momentum continued throughout, with one or two obvious peaks, particularly Sweet Home Alabama.

All controversy and southern American stereotypes aside, it was a skilled and entertaining performance, and as the last piercing solos that punctuate the immortal Free Bird, rang out, there was no denying that the Skynyrd legacy continues to live on.

Rating: ****