Review & Photography by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
The Welsh troop return to Glasgow and once again confirm that this band are about to takeover the world.
Before we got to the main event we had Liam Cromby and I can inform you it is very rare these days that I know nothing of a support band before a show but that was the case and I as well as many people here were completely stunned by the talent of this young man.
It is very hard to win over a crowd when it is just one voice and an acoustic guitar but that voice would stop anyone in their tracks. This sold out Glasgow crowd were like clay in his hands after just one song.
He did not have much time but he took what he had and he grasped the chance to impress immediately and by the time he got to the magnificent “What Can I Trust if I Can’t Trust Love” we were all in awe.
This is how you make an impression, this is how you get people to pay attention. Liam stated how happy he was to be picked for some shows on this tour and I feel this is the start the man needs to build a career. I for one will be watching very closely.
I have not seen Cardinal Black play a bad show, in fact they have been nothing short of incredible every time they have taken to a Glasgow stage and tonight was about to turn a cold October night very hot and steamy which is quite appropriate for a venue that used to be a porn theatre.
I think we are all familiar with debut album “January Came Close” after it and the live albums release and the hype for the new album is very high so to see the band come out with a one, two of new songs in “Ride On” and “Falling” was brave but also clever as it has everyone here paying close attention and the feeling was one of pure joy.
Having been entertained with new tunes the band shift into “Ain’t My Time” and this song is pure perfection. The sound is beautiful tonight and you are transported to a different realm as those vocals and guitar wash over and through you. There is no price that can be placed on such inner joy.
Singer Tom Hollister may have some problems understanding Chris Buck but us Weegies have known him long enough to pick up on his lilt so I can confirm Chris said This is better than Room 2, referring to the venue and I 100% agree.
We get some more magic from the debut in “Tell Me How it Feels” and “ Jump In” before they grace us with another new track in “Morning Light” and already I know the new album is a success. This album always had the possibility to send the band stratospheric but January had to be backed up strongly and these slow burning wonders are the template for success.
A Cardinal Black gig is an out of body experience. I could sit here and explain every song, every note and every mind blowing experience but the dissection
takes away from the experience. It is something you have to do for yourself. It is something that has to be lived through, felt and enjoyed.
A Cardinal Black show is more than a gig as every person in this sold out venue will attest to so I will just enjoy the show, hold the memory close and urge you to go see this band.
The old songs were beautiful, the new songs were impressive and the world lies at the feet of Cardinal Black.