THE PROCLAIMERS // ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINE
The Reid brothers return to Fife, where their musical adventure began 35 years ago and find a sold out audience at the Alhambra in fine voice.
THE PROCLAIMERS AT THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINE - 15.11.18
PICTURE BY CALUM MACKINTOSH
★★★★★
The sense of anticipation and excitement before this gig was clear. As soon as you got within a block of the beautiful old Alhambra Theatre you were serenaded with some ‘interesting’ renditions of their better known hits. What was also very apparent is broad appeal the the band still command as grannies, grandads, grandkids and every age in-between excitedly filed into the venue.
Walking on stage to a deafening roar, the band launched into ‘Angry Cyclist’, title track from their new album. What the twins lack in stage presence, they make up through the power of the lyrics and faultless songwriting and it was soon perfectly demonstrated with the first big number of the night ‘Letter from America’. This melancholic anthem bemoaning the decline of Scotland’s industrial heritage still resonates - especially if you’ve been anywhere near Methil recently!
There’s little chat beyond the odd dedication so the twins let the songs to do the talking. The set mixed things up nicely, old with new, the odd more obscure track alternating with the popular anthems.
It’s striking how songs like ‘Sunshine on Leith’, ’I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ and ‘I’m on My Way’ are now part of the subconscious of the nation - they’re omnipresent, at sporting events, in TV ads, on movie soundtracks and latterly, musicals. So it was fitting that ‘Sunshine on Leith’ triggered a 2000 strong collective karaoke session that gave us one of those special moments where the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and you just know you’re going to remember it forever.
They finished off the main set with a mass sing-a-long of ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ then into the poignant ‘Cap in Hand’, ‘Make my Heart Fly’ before finishing with ‘Joyful Kilmarnock Blues’ from their debut 1987 album. It made for a perfect end to what for many was a very special night.
SETLIST: | THE PROCLAIMERS : ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINE - 15.11.2018
Angry Cyclist
Fovever Young
Over and Done With
Letter From America
Should Have Been Loved
Streets of Edinburgh
Let’s Get Married
You Make Me Happy
Spinning Around in the Air
What School?
Hate My Love
The Battle of the Booze
Sky Takes the Soul
Misty Blue
Sunshine on Leith
Life With You
I’m on My Way
And Then I Met You
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
ENCORE:
Cap in Hand
Make My Heart Fly
Joyful Kilmarnock Blues