After The Last Waltz – KTWWH

I have loved the music of The Band for as long as I can remember.

Not only did they create some of the finest roots-rock music ever recorded, but they also gave the world one of the greatest concert films of all time. The Last Waltz, documenting their final performance together with all the original members, remains essential viewing for anyone who loves live music. Even after countless viewings, I still find myself discovering new details and appreciating the incredible musicianship on display.

So when I saw that a group called After The Last Waltz were playing King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, I didn’t need much persuading.

The name alone was enough to get my attention.

The fact that they were joined by Kirsten Adamson, daughter of the late Stuart Adamson of Big Country, made the evening even more appealing. Scotland has produced its fair share of musical talent over the years, and Stuart Adamson remains one of the country’s most admired songwriters and performers. It was interesting to see that musical tradition continuing through the next generation.

As it turned out, the evening contained another fascinating family connection.

While chatting and learning more about the band, I discovered that three of the members were brothers and that their father was none other than Pete Agnew, founding member and bassist of Nazareth. Suddenly the whole event felt like a gathering of Scottish musical royalty, with connections stretching across several generations of bands and performers.

Not bad for a night in King Tut’s.

The venue itself was the perfect setting. There are few places better suited to music inspired by The Band than a room where the audience are close enough to feel part of the performance. King Tut’s has always excelled at creating that sense of intimacy, and the songs benefited enormously from the atmosphere.

What impressed me most about After The Last Waltz was that they clearly understood what made The Band so special.

Rather than simply reproducing songs note-for-note, they captured the spirit of the music. The emphasis was on musicianship, storytelling and the interplay between the performers — exactly the qualities that made The Band one of the most respected groups in rock history.

Those songs have a timeless quality about them.

Whether it’s the Americana influences, the incredible songwriting or the sense of history woven through the music, they continue to resonate decades after they were first recorded. Hearing them performed live reminded me why I return to them again and again.

Kirsten Adamson was also excellent, bringing her own style and personality to the evening while fitting naturally into the overall atmosphere. It felt less like a collection of separate performances and more like a celebration of musical heritage and craftsmanship.

Looking back, this was one of those gigs that exceeded expectations.

I attended because of my love for The Band and The Last Waltz, but I came away with a deeper appreciation for the musicians involved and the family connections that linked so much Scottish musical history together. Discovering that three members were sons of Pete Agnew was one of those unexpected details that made the evening even more memorable.

The videos and photographs below capture some of the performance. If you’re a fan of The Band, The Last Waltz or simply great musicians playing great songs, I suspect you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.