A few weeks after their triumphant return to the Glasgow Barrowland, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie took the reunion tour across to Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms. Having already been involved in filming the Barrowland show and contributing footage for the documentary, there was never much doubt that I’d be making the journey east to see them again.
One of the things that made this particular date special was the support act. Rather than bringing along an unrelated band, Martin Metcalfe opened the evening with his current outfit, The Filthy Tongues. For anyone familiar with both bands, it felt less like a support slot and more like a celebration of Martin’s musical journey. Getting to see The Filthy Tongues followed by Goodbye Mr Mackenzie made for a pretty irresistible double bill.
The Filthy Tongues have built an impressive reputation in their own right over the years. Darker, heavier and more atmospheric than Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, they have carved out a distinctive sound while still retaining some of the same songwriting quality that has always been a hallmark of Martin’s work. Seeing the two bands back-to-back highlighted both the differences and the connections between the various chapters of his career.
When Goodbye Mr Mackenzie eventually took to the stage, it was clear that the momentum generated by the reunion shows hadn’t faded. If anything, the band seemed even more comfortable and confident than they had at the Barrowland. Reunion tours can sometimes feel like an exercise in nostalgia, but these performances never came across that way. There was genuine energy, enthusiasm and a sense that everyone involved was enjoying the experience.
In fact, some of the performances from the Edinburgh show were considered so strong that tracks recorded at the Liquid Rooms were later chosen for the live album instead of the versions captured at the Barrowland. That tells its own story. As iconic as the Glasgow concert had been, the band clearly felt that certain songs reached an even higher level in Edinburgh. It’s difficult to argue with the people who were actually standing on the stage.
What I’ve enjoyed most about these reunion concerts has been seeing just how much affection still exists for Goodbye Mr Mackenzie. The audience wasn’t simply reliving the past; they were celebrating a catalogue of songs that has stood the test of time. The fact that the band were still delivering performances worthy of inclusion on a live album only reinforced that point.
Looking back, the combination of The Filthy Tongues and Goodbye Mr Mackenzie made this one of the strongest line-ups of the year. Two bands connected by the same songwriter, two different eras of Scottish music, and one very memorable evening in Edinburgh.
The videos and photographs below capture another chapter in a reunion that exceeded expectations and proved that some bands still have plenty left to say long after their supposed final curtain call.
He released a five year best of edition called Finest Cuts in 2021 and mine was not included, so I’m just a cut. Better than a cunt I guess.
The Photos
Cheers!
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