Barrowlands

There were a number of places I wanted to visit while in Glasgow. Barrowland Ballroom, a legendary music venue, was one of them. I looked up what's on. Nile Rodgers & CHIC, 12 August. Bingo. I wanted to see him when he toured Japan with Earth, Wind & Fire in April, but I wasn’t able to go because I had another gig to attend. This was a perfect opportunity.

It was around 6PM when I arrived the venue. The iconic neon sign was already lit. One of Nile’s crew was asking around “what is your favourite era?” and some fans got interviewed, maybe for their social media or something.

While I was waiting in line, a guy with flashy yellow jacket appeared on the rooftop of a shop across the road. He began to sing. It was too far no one could hear him, but it was apparent that he was not some kind of random street musician.

Suddenly it occurred to me that I might know who he was. He was dressed in yellow from head to toe (now I’m not sure about the waist down but basically yellow). I was in Glasgow. He must be…

I was right. He was the frontman of a Glaswegian band called Colonel Mustard & Dijon 5.

How do I know about this band? It’s Still Game again. I heard Gavin Mitchell talking about them in an interview and I had looked up some of their materials. I knew he was hosting an upcoming event at the Barras, too.

After a while he came towards us. He started giving out handbills of the show. As he handed one to me, I blurted out that I saw him on YouTube. Fuck. I could have said something nicer. But that was all my poor social skills allowed me to do anyway. He kindly shook my clammy hand and left.

The door opend not long after. 

I had seen the interior in a Robert Carlyle film before, and I was so excited that I was actually in Barrowlands, about to see a gig.

As you can see in my terrible photo, there were not so many people at this point. I settled myself behind them, quite pleased by how close I was to the stage. I noticed a gap between two men in front of me but I wasn’t bold enough to squeeze myself in, so I just hovered there. Then suddenly, one of them offered me the spot.

I can’t thank him enough for my first ever front row experience. I let my arms dangle over a fence. My heart was racing.

But my excitement didn’t last long. We had to wait forever to see Nile Rodgers & CHIC. There was a supporting act which I enjoyed a lot, but I think we had waited for 2 hours after the start time. My arms were getting numb. Adding that, the place was roasting. This was an unusually hot day in Glasgow, and it was like being in a sauna. I was glad that the staff kept giving us cups of water all through the show (even with the constant hydration, I felt dizzy at the end).

The tension in the audience was growing stronger, and finally…

The man appeared with a bang.

The glitz and glamour of their performance immediately turned the place into a dance floor. With all those lights and dancing, it felt like the temperature was getting higher and higher. A pure disco night. As the saying goes… I was completely lost in music.

It was nearly 11 when the gig ended. My clothes were all drenched in sweat, but I was euphoric. Outside, the air was cold and soothing. I noticed the cars along the road were glittering in the night. This was the moment I was waiting for.

Look at this beauty! I didn't want to leave. I could stand there forever gazing at this neon sign. There is not a slightest doubt that this is the coolest venue I’ve ever been to. The show was brilliant. So brilliant I couldn’t shake of the excitement for a few days. It was a fantastic evening. 

I’ll come back to you, Barrowlands!