One of the nicest things about the music scene is watching people rediscover their passion.
My friend Mike McGregor had been spending more time writing and performing again, and when he landed a headline slot at The Classic Grand in Glasgow, he asked me to come along and support him.
To be clear, he wasn’t asking me to get on stage.
He simply wanted me there in the audience.
Which was probably for the best.
Mike performs under the name RsSonance and I’d been following his musical adventures as he gradually found his way back into live performance. Like many musicians, life had pulled his attention in different directions for a while, but a combination of factors had reignited the spark.
One of those was the launch of my book, Buckin’ Cunny Funt, where Mike performed. The other was a show for Steven Magner’s Piston Broke nights. Mike later told me that those experiences played a part in encouraging him to pick up the guitar more seriously again after a period where music hadn’t been his main focus.
That renewed enthusiasm soon led him back onto the open mic circuit.
The performances went well, people responded positively and before long he found himself being invited to headline this event at The Classic Grand.
Before Mike took to the stage, the audience were treated to a set from Kara Biggs.
I already knew Kara from a Freedom Festival event a couple of years earlier where I had been acting as MC. It was great to see her again, this time backed by a group of her school friends. There was a genuine sense of enthusiasm and support surrounding the performance, which made it all the more enjoyable to watch.
One of the things I love about grassroots music is that community spirit. You often see musicians turning up for each other, helping each other out and genuinely wanting one another to succeed.
That theme continued throughout the evening.
Also in attendance were Aaron Wright and his partner Violeta, who had hosted some of the open mic nights where Mike had been performing. They had come along to support him and, unsurprisingly, brought plenty of musical talent with them.
Together they perform as The Folk Drama, a duo well worth checking out.
Like many of the best discoveries in music, they arrived in my life through personal connections rather than algorithms or advertising campaigns. Sometimes the most interesting artists are found through conversations in venues rather than recommendations online.
Unfortunately, Aaron and Violeta slipped away before the end of the evening, meaning I missed the opportunity to get a photograph of us all together. That’s one of the small frustrations of gig-going. You always think there will be time later, and then suddenly people are heading home and the moment has passed.
As for Mike, he delivered exactly the sort of performance you hope to see from a friend who has rediscovered their love of making music. There was confidence, enjoyment and a clear sense that he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Watching that journey unfold was every bit as rewarding as the music itself.
Looking back, this felt less like a concert review and more like a celebration of a local music community. Kara Biggs bringing along her friends, Aaron and Violeta supporting fellow musicians, and Mike stepping confidently back into the spotlight all combined to create an evening built around people encouraging each other to keep creating.
Those are the nights that remind you why live music matters.
The videos and photographs below capture some of the evening and introduce a few artists who deserve a wider audience. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, I’d recommend giving them all a chance.
The Photos
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