A night of pure musical bliss as Far From Saints play Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Let’s be frank, the world is pretty painful place. Finding a sweet remedy to the sting with music can be some of the most powerful comfort. Emotions have a naturally melodic pace and when fires burn within us, they are tamed and ignited by the songs we hear. Far From Saints are a treasure for the soul and tap into a well of human depth with their mash up of styles including rock, folk country and Americana.

The group is the work of Kelly Jones, of Stereophonics, and Texans Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker, of The Wind and the Wave. After meeting on tours in 2013 and 2019, the trio got down to working together in 2020 - recording their debut album in just nine days. Their self-titled first release was delayed by the pandemic but has created a rumble amongst listeners and is a loaded geode that holds an ear captive.

The picturesque scenery in Glasgow’s historic Pavilion theatre is the perfect surroundings for the night. The venue, which opened its doors in 1904, features angelic décor and murals that transport patrons far from the mean streets of the city centre outside. The night is a sell out, however, the location still feel intimate and close.

Coming out the gate sprinting, their opener Screaming Hallelujah is magnificent. Jones’s distinctive voice is sure and sturdy as he singings his opening line and the crowd can’t help but burst in with delight. Moments later, Lynn’s vocal electric honey sparks into the song with the sense of connecting a circuit.

The set list has a wonderful feel of being both charging and epic. The American rock number Take It Through the Night saw singers Jones and Lynn charm the stage as if the world had melted away around them. The incredible Let’s Turn This Back Around has the simple backdrop of lamps transform the room into a light and shadow display that cradles the room along to the beautiful song.

The talent on stage is immense. Lynn performs whole-heartedly to every song and Jones beside her is adored by the crowd. He also displays his fine-tuned talent as a lead guitarist at frequent points in the evening. Writer, singer and instrumentalist Dwight Baker is confident character on stage. He steals attention with his cover of Cheap Trick’s I Want You To Want Me. This is a slight flat in the night although a large majority of the seats were leapt up from as the people could not resist a dance.

Stereophonics bassist Richard Jones fills the stage with his colossal stage presence and his all mighty guitar. He slinks through every song looking every bit the heartthrob. Dwight Baker’s son joins the group on keyboards and maintains a bright, sunny beam at the back of the stage.

With huge covers, like Stevie Nick’s Stop Dragging My Heart Around and an encore including Tom Petty’s American Girl, the crowd are kept happy as these upbeat numbers work as sheltering for the vulnerability of some Far From Saint’s most tender works including Own It and Gonna Find What’s Killing Me. The Ride and Let the Light Shine Over create a blanket of harmony over the fans who let loose in their enjoyment.

Far From Saints may run the risk of being shooting star that burns short and bright. Though their talent radiates, it’s possible that distance may cause trouble but, regardless of the future, the present sees them as hidden gem in saturated market of coloured glass. The album is a masterpiece is musical talent coming together and making something worthwhile.