Friday, March 11, 2022

Steve Harley and Eddi Reader at the Armadillo

Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow. Saturday 05-March-2022.

This was Steve Harley's 70th birthday concert postposed from last year and the year before. Sandra and George had tickets and bought a couple extra as birthday presents for us. We decided to make a proper trip of it with an overnight stay and meeting up with more friends on the Sunday.

We went up on the train and had an excellent meal beforehand at Ralph and Finns. We then caught the train out to the Exhibition Centre for my first visit to the Armadillo.

Steve and the drummer are the only survivors from the original Cockney Rebel but, as often is the case, have surrounded themselves with talented musicians. He honoured the musicians' Faustian bargain and played all the greatest hits.

We had gone straight from the restaurant to our seats so I was greatly relieved when, after an hour, he had a break and I could dash to the gents! After the break he was joined by Eddi Reader for a couple of songs including Robert Burns' Ae Fond Kiss.

Eddi also sang her best known hit from Fairground Attraction, "Perfect". Her voice is still perfect too.

Much of the second half was augmented with a string quartet and upright bass. 

Of course the encore had to be "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)". Send 'em home dancing!

We stayed over with George and Sandra. Next morning it was back into central Glasgow for Sunday lunch with Geraldine and Alisdair at Babbity Bowsters. Then home on the train and straight out to more friends for supper that evening. Diet starts Monday!

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