Clyde 1 Live
SECC, Glasgow, 13/12/12
How would you of liked to spend the night with JLS, Calvin Harris, McFly, and other amazing music makers? Well for me and thousands of other adoring fans last night we did just that. Last night was Glasgow’s hit radio station’s event of the year, Clyde 1 Live. With a whole host of pop royalty I was there to enjoy every incredible second of the best music around which also included Matt Cardle, Amelia Lily, Lawson and Labrinth.
If there’s a band to get the party started it’s McFly: these cheeky boys know how to have a good time. From the second they appeared on stage, the crowd of (mainly) screaming girls were on their feet jumping and clapping to their favourite McFly tunes. Opening with their first single Five Colours in Her Hair, they boys also played their new single Love is Easy before ending with Shine a Light. If it were up to me, they would’ve been headlining rather than opening the show. Without a doubt they were one of the best acts of the night.
Next was X Factor starlet Amelia Lily who entertained fans by entering from the back of the arena making her way through the crowds towards the stage. I’m not very familiar with Amelia Lily apart from her single You Bring the Joy (which is great by the way!) so I found it quite difficult to get into her set. She also performed two other songs from her debut album and managed to keep the crowd’s energy going ever so slightly. However McFly set rather a high bar and unfortunately Amelia Lily isn’t that tall…
Clyde 1’s very own George Bowie AKA GBXperience was next to take the stage. This DJ mixing, beat pumping, dance floor anthem raver really helped boost the crowd from Amelia’s rather lifeless performance. Blasting all the favourite dance tunes, the crowd really got into the party spirit. He also had some help from Glasgow 2014’s mascot Clyde and a group of backing dancers to help boost the crowd with a rendition of that annoyingly catchy Gangnam Style.
Ending the first half of pop stardom were those incredibly handsome, sweet singing boys, JLS. You could tell that the majority of the crowd were there for these guys as the roof was blown off from all the screaming and feet stamping going on. JLS performed all the greats; She Makes Me Wanna, Eyes Wide Shut and Everybody in Love and also sang new song Hold Me Down and performed a special version of everybody’s favourite You Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff a Bus… Something tells me that’s not going to be their next single! Ending with their latest tune Hottest Girl in the World, JLS know how to wow a crowd – and Glasgow were completely wowed.
After the interval (and it’s been a long time since I’ve been to a concert with an interval) new boys on the block, Lawson hit the stage. I must admit, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Lawson song before, but after last night I’ll be buying their album. Kicking off with Learn to Love Again, which is now my new favourite song by the way, they continued with hit single When She Was Mine followed by Standing in the Dark which are both amazing songs. I’m gutted that their tour next year has sold out so Lawson, if you’re reading, I’d like a ticket please!
One of the main reasons I was at Clyde 1 Live was for the next chap; the ever so sexy, vocally smooth Matt Cardle. I’ve been a huge fan of his since he won The X Factor and my slight fan obsession will continue to grow every time I see him perform. He has an outstanding voice and performed three songs off his album The Fire. Starting with my favourite Anyone Else before continuing with Empire and his debut single It’s Only Love, Matt’s flawless vocals captured the crowd instantly. If I’m completely objective in this review, it would have been nice to see Matt play his guitar with a backing band rather than just pace the stage during his performance. I could stare into his lovely eyes all day, but I got the feeling perhaps other concert goers would of liked to see more happening on stage. Other than that, he was fabulous.
After Matt’s great yet slightly calm performance, the crowd were looking for a dance so in stepped the one and only Calvin Harris. For a second I was genuinely convinced the tiered seating was going to cave in amidst all the jumping and dancing the crowd were doing. Blasting out the hits including Feel So Close, Let’s Go and Sweet Nothing, I forgot we were in the SECC and was getting ready to showcase my crazy dance-moves like I do most weekends. The energy from the crowd was absolutely crazy, reacting to every beat Calvin spinned and reminded the Scottish DJ how Glasgow likes to party. Next to McFly, Calvin gave one of the best performances of the night by a mile.
Last but not least, the talented and beautiful Labrinth graced the stage. Joined on stage by his DJ and belting out the favourites, Express Yourself, Beneath Your Beautiful and Earthquake it was clear to see why Clyde 1 had left him till last. I cannot fault his performance, his vocals were amazing and he kept the crowd entertained. There was such an electric atmosphere at Clyde 1 Live, everyone was there to have a great time and it was clear to see that everybody did.
Had I done it differently it would have been nice to give McFly a longer set and I would have maybe had Calvin Harris headlining the gig. However Clyde 1 did put on an incredible show and I can’t wait to go back next year where the concert will be held in the brand spanking new Hyrdo arena.
[rating=5]
