Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
The Nashville trio once again roll up to these shores with an unspoken knowledge they are loved as if they are one of the UKs own. We took them in, we loved their mix or Country, Southern and Rock and all we asked in return was to be entertained and tonight as always they did that in spades.
First up I am going to have a moan. Two points really wound me up tonight, the first not the bands fault but the sound was awful and unfortunately this is becoming all to regular at this venue so I will put it out there that TC3 should play Barrowland…that tennis ball floor was made for them.
Secondly the lights, yes, I am a photographer so I always moan about lights but these boys ain’t no Death metal band, we want to see them and when they have paid for a videographer to capture the tour give the guy a break…or are you trying to get your moneys worth out of him?
OK, nonsense out of the way so onto what was a stunning show even in spite of the points above. The boys opened the very long set with “Peace, Love and Dixie” and the place went batshit crazy. The fact that the boys were warmed up from playing earlier in the evening meant they hit the ground running and I wonder how many beers in Jaren Johnston is but he never misses a beat and I love that the guitar tech also has barman on his resume.
Tonights set is a real mix of old and new and a lot of deep cuts which makes the hardcore fans delight in seeing songs not dragged out in a while. The newer songs maybe took a while to hit with the crowd but tracks like “Sabbath on Cornbread”, “Double Wide Grave”, “The Worst” and “Hillbilly” slotted in with perfection and were at no point out of place.
The newer songs definitely have a heavier edge but that Nashville swagger is still there like Rhinestones on a shirt but it is the old bangers that get the crowd going. Prior to one of these Jaren lets us know he was in George Square earlier as World War Z was shot there but instead of zombies all he saw was boobies due to the good weather (try visiting after your show, the zombies will be out in force). From there we slip into the huge singalong that is “Bury me in my Boots”. This song is always class and watching these three guys make such a lovely racket is always endorphin building.
As I said this was a long set and with three bands and no curfew in place this is probably the latest show in some time for me finishing after 11 and I wonder if it was this or the outing of some lesser known songs that kept the crowd a bit quieter but a lull was all it was as this band came in for the kill at the tail end of the show. I did love that the band had a go at their previous support bands getting bigger that them. They don’t mind them getting big but just not too big and although funny we have to give TC3 kudos for introducing us to some great bands over the years.
Now we got the young whippersnappers out of the way it is time to ramp up the night and after incredible versions of “Hank & Jesus” and “American Slang” it is time for the audience to work for a change on “White Lightning” and boy did we, so much so that Jaren said he got Goosebumps and now we are a band and an audience in unison as we become one on “The South” and “I’m Southern” which always makes me smile as I sing proudly as a Northman.
TC3 are always great live, they are impeccable musicians and the three boys have been together so long I am sure if one farts another says sorry. They are Southern and proud and Scotland loves them.
