There are some gigs that require careful consideration and others where the decision is made almost instantly.
When I saw that The Coral were playing the Barrowland with Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals as support, there was never really any debate. It was simply too good a combination to ignore.
The Barrowland already has a habit of making ordinary gigs feel special, but when you add two artists with such distinctive catalogues, it becomes almost impossible to stay away.
Before The Coral took to the stage, we were treated to a set from Gruff Rhys. I’ve long admired his work with Super Furry Animals, one of the most inventive and unpredictable bands to emerge from the British music scene over the past few decades. As a solo artist, Gruff has continued to follow his own path, creating music that is thoughtful, melodic and often delightfully eccentric.
What I’ve always liked about him is that he never seems interested in taking the obvious route. Whether performing with a full band or armed with little more than a guitar, there is always something uniquely Gruff Rhys about the experience.
His set proved to be the perfect warm-up for the evening ahead.
Then it was time for The Coral.
I first became aware of them during the early 2000s when they seemed to emerge fully formed with a sound that somehow combined sixties psychedelia, folk, indie rock and Merseybeat influences into something completely their own. While many bands from that era have faded from view, The Coral have continued to evolve while maintaining the qualities that made them so appealing in the first place.
The Barrowland was packed with people who clearly shared that opinion.
From the opening songs onwards, the band sounded magnificent. Their music has always possessed a dreamlike quality, moving effortlessly between upbeat guitar pop, psychedelic excursions and moments of genuine beauty. Live, those qualities become even more pronounced.
One of the things I appreciate most about The Coral is that they never seem trapped by nostalgia. Although the audience were delighted to hear the familiar favourites, the newer material sat comfortably alongside the classics. It felt less like a celebration of the past and more like a reminder that the band remain creatively relevant after all these years.
The atmosphere in the Barrowland helped enormously. There are very few venues capable of generating the same energy and sense of connection between audience and performers. Time and again it proves why it remains my favourite place to see live music.
Looking back, this was one of those evenings where everything simply worked. A legendary venue, an excellent support act and a headline band delivering exactly what the audience hoped for.
Not every ticket purchase requires detailed analysis. Sometimes you see a bill featuring The Coral and Gruff Rhys at the Barrowland and the only sensible response is to buy a ticket.
The videos and photographs below capture some of a memorable night with two of the most distinctive acts these islands have produced.
The Photos
Cheers!
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