I’ve been a fan of Bill Callahan for a very long time.
Long before he began releasing music under his own name, I was listening to his work as Smog, where he built a reputation for writing songs that were sparse, thoughtful and completely unlike anything else around. Even after all these years, he’s remained one of those artists whose records demand your full attention.
So there was never much chance I was going to miss the opportunity to see him live.
The concert took place at Oran Mor in Glasgow, a venue that has hosted many excellent gigs over the years. Unfortunately, on this particular evening it seemed to have one thing missing.
Air.
The weather outside had been unusually warm, and once the audience packed into the venue it became uncomfortably hot. Emma wasn’t feeling her best before we even arrived, so the conditions inside weren’t exactly helping matters.
Before Bill took to the stage, support came from Jerry DeCicca.
I wasn’t particularly familiar with his work beforehand, but he quickly won me over. His songs were engaging, his performance was warm and personable, and by the end of the set I found myself hoping to hear more.
When he finished, I managed to ask for his setlist and then bumped into him again while browsing the merchandise stand. We ended up having a chat about music and his latest releases.
As a result, I purchased one of his CDs.
I would actually have bought the new album, but the record company had decided to release it only on vinyl and digital formats. As someone who still likes having something physical to take home from a gig, that seemed a slightly strange decision.
Still, the CD I bought was enough to ensure I left with some new music to explore.
Then it was time for Bill Callahan.
One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Bill is his ability to command attention without ever appearing to demand it. His songs unfold patiently and quietly, drawing listeners into their world rather than overwhelming them. It’s a style that requires confidence and great songwriting, and fortunately he possesses both in abundance.
Most of the filming duties fell to Emma.
She did a sterling job under increasingly challenging conditions, particularly given how hot the venue had become. Eventually, however, common sense prevailed and she decided she needed to escape outside for some fresh air before melting completely.
That left me to take over for the final couple of songs.
I was naturally concerned about her wellbeing.
At least, I was concerned enough to occasionally glance towards the exit.
On the other hand, there was also the small matter of potentially acquiring Bill Callahan’s setlist at the end of the evening.
Life presents difficult choices sometimes.
Thankfully, Emma was absolutely fine and managed to cool down outside while I maintained my strategic position near the front of the stage. This proved to be a wise decision because when the final notes rang out and the band departed, I spotted an opportunity.
While everyone else seemed to be hesitating, I simply jumped onto the stage and grabbed the setlist before anybody else had fully processed what was happening.
Years of gig-going experience finally paid off.
Mission accomplished.
Looking back, the evening delivered everything I had hoped for: a great support act, an excellent performance from one of my favourite songwriters and yet another prized setlist to add to the collection.
Most importantly, Emma survived the tropical conditions inside Oran Mor.
The setlist was nice.
That was definitely the bigger bonus.
The videos below include Jerry DeCicca’s support set, footage from Bill Callahan’s performance and a few mobile clips captured before the heat finally drove Emma outside in search of breathable air.
The Photos
Cheers!
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