The Proclaimers kicked off their 35-date UK & Ireland tour at the O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. It may be 35 years since their first hit single Letter From America, but the Brothers Reid showed the Tyneside audience that they are far from done.
Opening their set with the song “Dentures Out” from their latest and 12th studio album of the same name, Craig and Charlie Reid hit their stride from the first second, much to the crowd’s joy. Following up with “Over and Done With” and “There’s a Touch”, the crowd at the sold-out show were well and truly warmed up. The set bounced around the Leith-born lads’ catalogue, with ten of their twelve studio albums represented throughout the show.
A whopping 24-song set came at you like musical machine gun fire, with four songs taken from their latest release. Thankfully, there were a few moments of calm when they slipped into ballad mode. Songs such as “Streets of Edinburgh” and “Restless Soul” gave everyone a well-earned rest to relax in their seats and let the music wash over them. Little did I know it was because of the musical onslaught to follow!
The Reid brothers, assisted by their excellent band, moved up the gears, generating much singing, dancing and general flapping of limbs around the venue. The crowd were bouncing as anthems such as “Cap in Hand”, “Letter From America”, “Sky Takes the Soul “, and “Life With You” was delivered with such passion. I’ve seen The Proclaimers a few times over the last thirty years, but I have never heard them sound better. The brothers turned 60 recently, but they proved that age is just a number.
Just when I thought the crowd may have run out of juice, Edinburgh’s finest decided to hit the turbo button. They had played us good and proper. Time to inhale and go again! “Sunshine on Leith” was sung with such gusto by the 2,000+ crowd (and The Proclaimers). I’m sure they heard it at Easter Road.
It was superb to watch such happiness circulate around the O2 City Hall. You could feel the buzz penetrate through you. As their set concluded with more singalong classics such as “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, you appreciate how much they are loved by their fans. It isn’t just a gig; it’s a party with mates and the sharing of good times. The Proclaimers are the party hosts serving song after song for your delectation. Judging by their latest album and this polished live performance, the Reid twins have much more left in the tank. Over and done with? Not bloody likely!
A big shout out to John Bramwell, who was the support act. The former I Am Kloot frontman warmed the audience up with his blend of acoustic alt-rock and great banter with the audience between songs.
Setlist
Dentures Out
Over and Done With
There’s a Touch
Draw Another Line
Let’s Get Married
What Makes You Cry?
Streets of Edinburgh
Born Innocent
Restless Soul
The Recent Past
Cap in Hand
Letter From America
Life With You
Sky Takes the Soul
Angry Cyclist
Spinning Around in the Air
Sean
Feast Your Eyes
Sunshine in Leith
Then I Met You
I’m On My Way
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Encore
Make My Heart Fly
The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues
INTERVIEW: The Proclaimers discuss their 12th studio album ‘Dentures Out’ – Listen here.
Nice to hear that other venues had good sound, BUT the sound at Stockton Globe on Saturday was very poor (a “bit” of a mush) when the KEYBOARD came in with increased dynamics on the bass – did the sound engineer not notice how BAD the balance was? I’ve been at lesser-named performers where a sound engineer has gone round with a tablet (iPad?) and checked on sound throughout the audience. I wasn’t the only only one who thought “their hearing was off”.
Ed