As my son has grown older, I’ve become less interested in buying him things and more interested in creating memories with him. Money gets spent, gadgets get replaced and most presents are forgotten sooner or later. Time, on the other hand, becomes increasingly valuable. That’s why I try to do something memorable with him at least once a year, and this time the destination was the Glasgow Barrowland to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Canadian collective, Godspeed You! Black Emperor are unlike almost any other live act. Their performances are less like conventional concerts and more like immersive experiences. Long instrumental passages build slowly, layer upon layer, until they become overwhelming walls of sound accompanied by striking visual projections. It’s music that demands patience but rewards it in spectacular fashion.
Things started perfectly. We managed to secure an excellent position near the front of the stage and I was already congratulating myself on the tactical brilliance that had brought us there. Unfortunately, my son then decided he wanted a cola.
Now, under normal circumstances, there is nothing particularly controversial about wanting a soft drink. At a packed Godspeed You! Black Emperor concert, however, it can have far-reaching consequences. No sooner had he headed off towards the bar than the band appeared on stage. Rather than enjoying the prime position we had worked so hard to obtain, I suddenly found myself weaving through the crowd in search of him.
The result was entirely predictable.
We lost the spot.
I was absolutely delighted.
After all, what could be more enjoyable than sacrificing an excellent view moments before the performance begins?
Eventually we reunited and settled for a position out on the left-hand side of the venue. It wasn’t where we had intended to be, but in the grand scheme of things it hardly mattered. Once Godspeed You! Black Emperor got going, the music quickly became the centre of attention. Their immense sound filled the Barrowland from wall to wall and transformed the venue into something closer to a cinematic experience than a traditional rock concert.
One of the things I enjoy most about taking my son to gigs is seeing how different artists affect him. Every generation discovers music in its own way, and there is something special about sharing an experience that neither of you will ever quite forget. Even if one of you did accidentally trigger a complete relocation of the viewing position before the first note had been played.
Looking back, I don’t remember the frustration of losing the spot nearly as much as I remember spending the evening together. That’s probably the point. The concert was fantastic, but the memory of the trip itself is what lasts.
The clips below were filmed on my son’s phone from our eventual vantage point out on the left wing. It may not have been where we started the evening, but it still provided a great view of a truly remarkable band.
And, in fairness to him, the cola was probably nice.
The Photos
The Full Gig
Check out their full gig from the same tour in Manchester.
Cheers!
Donate
