Del Amitri - Kelvingrove Bandstand 02/08/2023

Tonight we were soundtracked by one of Glasgows greatest songwriters, providing great tunes and witty commentary.

I am excited tonight. We are heading across the street from our local bar, one frequented by a lot of the Scottish 80s and 90s music scene. The destination is the Kelvingrove Bandstand.

Del Amitri are a band I have known for a long time, I also have formed a friendship with Justin Currie over the years after playing football for over 10 years together.

So it is going to see your pal play a show to a devoted fanbase.

This is the first of two sell out nights at the venue, fresh from a US tour with Barenaked Ladies, the Dels roll back in to their neighbourhood.


Del Amitri at Bandstand, photo by Stewart Fullerton

Justin opens the set acoustically with "Every Night has a Dawn", the title track to the recent live film before "Be my Downfall" and a new track off of Fatal Mistakes.

By song number 4 we are rocking to two Scottish indie Anthems back to back, "Always the Last to Know" and "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" which has the crowd on their feet dancing. We are transported back to the 90s!


Del Amitri at Bandstand, photo by Stewart Fullerton

Justin provides smart commentary between songs and has a great sense of humour, he explains that every year you can find him up near the bar during the shows posing for selfies and enjoying the music of other bands, before admitting to going home with around 25 drinks tokens per night he cant use again! We have all been there.

Thankfully the bars at this years Summers Nights are card only!

"To the people at the bar" he says as he dedicates "Missing Person" to them.

Another improvement this year...The weather the last time I saw Justin Currie play here with Lloyd Cole, was nothing short of horrendous, the irony was the show was rescheduled for a weather warning, then played in probably worse conditions, thankfully we fare much better this time.


Del Amitri at Bandstand, photo by Stewart Fullerton

"Spit in the Rain" thankfully only the song that is played as we enjoy the warm Glasgow evening.

Later on Del Amitris play "Sometimes I Just Have to Say Your Name" a song they have not played live in 30 years, heeding to requests on tours for it to be played. Good to hear them talk about this and ensure the fans enjoy it.

"Tell Her This" is pre encore creating a very attentive audience, we know the encore tonight is going to be hit laden.

"We decided to do a costume change!" Currie tells us on the return to the stage, explaining why they took longer than normal to come back on. I am in fits of laughter!

It is here they start with "Roll to Me" a fan favourite and their biggest hit.


Del Amitri at Bandstand, photo by Stewart Fullerton

Justin asks Andy where he got his denim jacket from - turned out they forgot to tell Andy about the costume change. Iain came out on stage in a suit that looked like the Bee-gees lent him.

"Drunk in a Band" feels like a song being blasted out by Weezer with quirky lyrics and a punk like attitude. Tonight we all feel like we could be that drunk in a band.

Before we know it the needle returns to the start of the song and we all sing along to "Nothing Ever Happens."

Glasgow in the summer can be beautiful, tonight we were soundtracked by one of its greatest songwriters providing great tunes and witty commentary.

Review by Craig McGee, Photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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