Friday 16 May 2008, The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, GLASGOW G2 8DL

Making an emotional return to Glasgow – motherland to James Dewar and Davey Pattison - this is the Trower band’s first performance in the great city in a long, long time.

Couples scowl the line of fans looking for “any spare tickets” as we stand patiently, waiting for the doors to open. A very late sound check brings a slight delay. To save time, Aynsley’s drummer, Richard will play Pete’s kit tonight for the Lister band set.

Miraculously, Laurie and Guy throw it all together, their usual, abundant and effortless professionalism evident in all they do.

Inside, the sell-out crowd is in jovial mood. Any disappointment remaining after the calamity on the Clyde - the gig on the Renfrew ferry cancelled literally minutes before the doors were due to open, almost three years ago - has long since evaporated. The waiting is over as Robin rips into the opening bars of ‘Twice removed from yesterday’.

It’s a very special night for two families – the Dewars and the Pattisons.

Robin dedicates ‘For Earth Below’ to James Dewar and ‘Hannah’ to Wendy Dewar, who is in the house tonight. Davey’s sister Joy and the assembled Pattison-clan are here too, this being the first opportunity they have had to see Davey perform in his home town since leading Gamma into the fray back in the early 1980s.

The band is lifted by the rapturous and genuine, heartfelt applause of the Glasgow crowd. Pete, Glenn, Davey and Robin push on to deliver a performance of breathtaking belief and passion. Wendy, Joy and the families can be justly proud tonight.

So far, seven shows in nine days. Tomorrow’s gig is in West Yorkshire, Sunday’s in Norwich. It’s a relentless schedule, offering only the briefest respite. Yet these four musicians are in sizzling form, digging deep, keeping it tight, and giving it their all, every night. 

This is Alan Howard for ‘Steve’s Place’ reporting from the Arches in the great city of Glasgow. 16 May 2008.

Click here to view photos taken at the gig by Ray Martin

Return to homepage for more fan photos and reviews or click below for more robintrowerlive.co.uk reviews

Brighton No Time for farewells      Exeter Totally sold      Bilston Blistering Bilston
Glasgow Dedicated to Jimmy      London Let me hear you say YEAH!      Manchester Pride comes before a fall
Sheffield Balls of steel      Southampton From Portswood to poignancy
Stratford-Upon-Avon The play’s the thing      Birkenhead Fab Four in Birkenhead
Fleetwood Fulfillingness’ Fleetwood Finale      For more reviews visit Steve Shail’s site here!
 

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