I’ve now seen King Creosote a few times, but some opportunities are simply too good to ignore.
When I spotted somebody in a neighbouring town selling their tickets on Facebook at a very reasonable price, I didn’t need much convincing. I’d been listening to I Des a lot and had become increasingly convinced that it was one of Kenny Anderson’s strongest albums in years. The chance to hear those songs performed live was more than enough justification for another trip.
Sometimes the best gigs are the ones you weren’t really planning to attend.
Before King Creosote took to the stage, we were treated to a set from Withered Hand.
I’ve always had a soft spot for artists who seem completely themselves on stage, and Withered Hand certainly falls into that category. His songs combine humour, honesty and melancholy in a way that feels effortless, and his performance provided the perfect opening to the evening. There was a warmth and intimacy to the set that immediately won over the audience.
It was one of those support performances where you find yourself paying full attention rather than merely waiting for the headline act.
Then it was time for King Creosote.
One of the reasons I keep going back to see Kenny Anderson is that he never seems content to repeat himself. Across countless albums and collaborations, he has continued to evolve while somehow remaining unmistakably King Creosote. His songs often feel deeply rooted in Scotland while speaking to something much more universal.
The material from I Des sounded particularly strong in a live setting.
Songs that had already impressed me on record seemed to gain additional depth and character on stage. That’s often the mark of great songwriting. A good song survives the transition from studio to stage. A great one flourishes.
As always, Kenny mixed humour and storytelling with the music, creating the sort of atmosphere that makes his concerts feel less like formal performances and more like evenings spent in the company of an exceptionally talented friend.
The audience were with him every step of the way.
Of course, no BillyWatson.tv concert report would be complete without some mention of the footage.
While we did manage to capture parts of the evening, I have to admit it isn’t the clearest video we’ve ever produced. Let’s just say nobody is likely to mistake it for a professionally filmed concert release. Still, it does the important job of preserving a flavour of the evening and giving those who weren’t there a glimpse of what made it special.
Sometimes atmosphere matters more than perfect picture quality.
Looking back, I’m very glad I spotted those tickets when I did. A bargain price, an excellent support act and another memorable performance from one of Scotland’s most distinctive songwriters made it an easy decision to leave the house.
The videos below may not win any cinematography awards, but they capture an evening of wonderful music from Withered Hand and King Creosote, and that’s what really matters.
The Photos
Cheers!
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