96.3 Rock Radio 2nd Birthday Bash

Glasgow Garage, 8th January 2009

Spike from the Quireboys at the 96.3 Rock Radio 2nd Birthday Back

This month Glasgow's 96.3 Rock Radio is two years old. And what better way to celebrate than by getting together a really quite decent line-up of rock bands and havin' it large?

We miss opener Danny Bryant, but, after eventually squeezing our way towards the stage at the Garage, which is packed to the rafters, we catch the second half of a lively set from local heroes the Haze. This is the second time I've almost missed them, and they're definitely growing on me. With their laidback style and cocky swagger, they're reminiscent of a rockier Oasis, coloured by psychedelic overtones that recall the Cult, and even the Doors. If they can find themselves a real killer song, they could be massive.

Next up are that ragged bunch of rock survivors, Waysted. Waysted by name, wasted by nature, they stagger onto the stage and proceed to shamble their way through a grand total of four songs, plus much raddled, indecipherable banter. Admittedly, with five bands to fit into five hours, all the sets a short, but four songs? Four songs too many, some may say…

Because the lovely Quireboys could have used the time much more productively. Tonight my favourite band of rock'n'roll reprobates are on top form: piped onto the stage by a bagpiper in full regalia (don't ask), they launch into a blistering greatest hits set (surprise!), starting with '7 o'clock' and 'Misled', with just two songs from the latest album, Homewreckers and Heartbreakers, and two non-Bit of What You Fancy tracks ('Tramps and Thieves' and 'The Finer Stuff') sneaking their way in. At the end we're faced with a choice of 'Hey You' or 'Sex Party' and the latter wins. Oh well, you can't have everything…

'This is the shortest set we've ever played!' exclaims wizardy-haired legendary rock veteran Biff Byford as he tears up the setlist and throws the choice open to the audience, confident that we'll choose what was written on it anyway: 'Motorcycle Man', 'Wheels of Steel', 'The Bands Played On' and 'Princess of the Night'. Hooray! In just 45 minutes Saxon treat us to a masterclass in classic British heavy metal – a taster for the next tour, which hits Glasgow at the end of April. A final high octane rendition of '747' and it's all over. Happy birthday 96.3 Rock Radio – you put on a belter of a show.

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