Lucy Spraggan – a grafter, a hero, and now, a queen of the Barrowlands.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

LUCY SPRAGGAN PERFORMING LIVE AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLANDS
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR

It’s some life this humble lass is leading! Coming from red flag reality TV talent show ‘The X-Factor’ Lucy Spraggan has had quite a career. There have been many fireworks for the musician, but Spraggan shows her love is in the graft of the longstanding bonfire as she continues to flourish in the wake of her eighth album.

Spraggan was born in Canterbury, England in 1991 and rocketed into the public eye in 2012 when she appeared on the ninth season of the popular talent show. Sailing through her rounds, the public and judges were instantly in love and Spraggan was quickly clear as the favourite to win. Spraggan overcame a sexual assault which would prevent her from finishing her time in the contest however even from within these darken days emerged a sure-fire fan base that saw their inspiration in her.

Playing at the iconic Barrowlands Ballroom is a dream for acts touring the UK. This bucket-list venue opened in 1934 and has played host to career defining shows for a lot of its acts. Spraggan filled the place with her fans and immediately express her awe at playing the venue as she took to the stage.

There was an immediate and immense feeling of love and support that encased the crowd like a bubble as soon as Spraggan came out to the centre. She looked supercharged and filled with life; with a radiating glow and infectious air of excitement. The opening number was Breathe as cheers erupted.

The second track was You’re Too Young; a track Spraggan had written aged 15. This anthem for the young and reckless was one the crowd knew well and it clear how grateful Spraggan was. The song Last Night(Beer Fear) was the track that introduced Spraggan to the mainstream and now she has taken this bouncy number to its finest quality.

Spraggan was comfortable chatting between songs and showed her appreciation for the fans throughout. She shared the chirpy story of the Blues Song and then next played the cherished Lighthouse where the room literally jumped with delight. The microphone was held out to the crowd who did not need any extra encouragement to sing their hearts out.

The highlight of the night was a selection of tracks played in the middle of her set which included some of her most emotionally charged work. The tender but powerful Unsinkable saw blue lights fill the stage and the charming Tea and Toast had fans everywhere wiping away a tear. Bodies shared the story of some aspects Spraggan’s mental health which she has battled and Sober continues the tale of fighting your demons.

There are endless sources of inspiration to be found in Spraggan. She beams as she sings Run and, once again, thanks the fans, knowing how huge the support is for her is. She speaks about how finding the right therapist was such a key relationship in her life and spoke about her divorce and her upcoming wedding. She treated Glasgow to the live debut of unreleased song Otherside of the Moon and somehow it was as through the fans knew if off-by-heart already.

It was concert of treats and treasures and it abundantly clearly why Lucy Spraggan has grown the adoring fan base she has. She is honest and shares her story to help the world become a less scary place. She is role model and is steam rolling ahead as a humble hero. On yourself, Lucy!