For anyone with an interest in Scottish music, this was a fascinating pairing. Martin and Richard have both spent decades contributing to the country’s cultural landscape, albeit in very different ways. Bringing them together on the same stage created an evening that felt part concert, part conversation and part history lesson. It was a chance to hear songs, stories and reflections from two people who have experienced the music industry from the inside.
Before the event even began, my son managed to convince me that a visit to Subway was an excellent idea. For reasons that still aren’t entirely clear, I decided to go completely vegetarian. Whether this improved my appreciation of the arts remains unproven, but it certainly made for a slightly different pre-show experience than usual.
One of the perks of running BillyWatson.tv is that every now and again opportunities arise that make younger members of the family view you with something approaching respect. We were given special seats at the back of the venue so that I could film the performance, and I think my son was quite impressed by the whole arrangement. In fairness, I was reasonably impressed myself. Not only did we have a great view of the show, but he also got to see first-hand some of the unusual situations that occasionally arise from documenting live events.
The evening itself struck a perfect balance between music and storytelling. Richard’s readings provided context and insight, while the songs brought many of those stories to life. It was the sort of event that reminded you how closely music and narrative are connected. Behind every album, tour and performance there are stories waiting to be told, and both Martin and Richard have accumulated more than their fair share over the years.
Of course, no BillyWatson.tv evening would be complete without at least one moment of unintended comedy, and this time that honour fell to Emma.
After the show she emerged from the ladies’ toilets, took a wrong turn and somehow managed to wander directly into the green room. Finding herself unexpectedly face-to-face with Martin Metcalfe and Richard Jobson, she responded in the only sensible way possible by asking them how to get back to her seat. Realising where she actually was only afterwards, she beat a hasty retreat wearing a facial expression that could best be described as bright red. To their credit, Martin and Richard handled the situation with considerably more composure than Emma did.
Looking back, that’s probably what I remember most about the evening. Not just the music or the stories, but the atmosphere. It felt relaxed, friendly and personal in a way that larger events rarely do. My son got to experience something a little different, Emma acquired another story that will follow her for years, and I came away with footage of an event that deserved to be preserved.
The full performance, along with a version featuring just the songs, can be found below. Whether you’re interested in Scottish music, Scottish literature or simply hearing two fascinating characters share a stage, it’s well worth your time.
The Photos
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