(Glasgow, Scotland) – Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections, celebrates Celtic music and culture from across the globe. Now in its 16th year the festival continues to grow in size and importance. This year some 2100 musicians from around the world descend on Glasgow to bring the city to life for 18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events.
Sturgill Simpson was born in Jackson, Kentucky. In the past the country music singer-songwriter has been labelled the ‘saviour of country music’. Inevitably the question of ‘why’? has been raised. Tonight in Glasgow I was hoping to find out.
In Scotland, country music seems to be the reserve of a select few, a select few who will admit it publicly anyway. It has though, always been a guilty pleasure for many and the guilty had come out in their numbers to attend tonight. To massive applause from the packed house Sturgill Simpson and his 5 piece band made their way to the stage. Decked out in a tartan scarf, no ceremony or build up was necessary. With the slightest of nods to the band they went straight into doing what they obviously do best.
Three songs in, Simpson took stock and acknowledged the crowd, who by this time were in the palm of his hand. At one point a broad Glasgow accent boomed her admiration across the venue. Being the gentleman he is the sentiment was reciprocated.
Tonight’s set consisted of 20 or so numbers spanning Simpsons’ career. As you would expect many from the most recent album Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, which was labelled as country music’s most anticipated album prior to its release in 2014. So far it has lived up to its billing.
The O2 ABC in Glasgow is a far cry from the sold out venues of Nashville Simpson is used to. Although I think even he would agree that the welcome and appreciation from tonight’s Scottish crowd was something to be savoured. It’s been a long time since I witnessed an audience and a performer sharing such obvious mutual appreciation of music. I do not claim to be anything of an aficionado when it comes to this music genre, a look through my record collection will confirm this.
Celtic connections is all about entertainment and introducing people to new experiences, tonight’s show epitomises that aim. Sturgill Simpson is a born entertainer and he has left Glasgow with many more fans than when he arrived. Is he the saviour of country music? I guess time will tell. From tonight’s performance though, he can do nothing but good.
Haste ye back Mr. Simpson.
I couldn’t finish this piece without mentioning the fantastic Lera Lynn who supported Sturgill Simpson tonight. I confess to having been unaware of Lera before tonight’s set, I now own the t-shirt and the album. Thank you.
Connect with Sturgill Simpson online: (Website)
Connect with Lera Lynn online: (Website)
Sturgill Simpson
All photos by Spike Porteous
© 2016. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Lera Lynn
All photos by Spike Porteous
© 2016. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
