GLASGOW BARROWLANDS
by JAMES on 24/11/2024Rating: 5 out of 5FANTASTIC SET. JUST GREAT TO HEAR HIM LIVE BEFORE MY EYES. COME BACK SOON JOHN
Venue
Venue
Venue
Lineup
Venue
Lineup
Venue
Lineup
Venue
Lineup
Venue
Venue
Witty, forcefully honest American singer-songwriter with an Elton John seal of approval
American songwriter John Grant delves into his demons and dark times with a brutal honesty and deadpan wit. Born in Michigan and raised in Colorado by religious parents, Grant’s first struggles were with his family and community’s rejection of his homosexuality. From there, addiction took hold. Grant fled to Germany to study languages and formed the cult band the Czars on his return. Together, the band released five albums of sombre, melancholic indie, seasoned with elements of Americana, jazz, shoegaze and dream pop.
The Czars called it a day in 2004. Grant moved to New York and found kindred spirits in bands such as Midlake and The Flaming Lips. Facing down his addictions and still writing, Grant decided to return to music in 2009, recording his solo debut Queen Of Denmark with members of Midlake. The album was well-received on both sides of the Atlantic.
Grant decamped to Iceland for his second solo album, a more electronic affair created with Icelandic electro-pop band GusGus and featuring a guest performance from Sinéad O’Connor. Finding a new home in Reykjavik, Grant endeared himself to his adopted countrymen by co-writing their 2014 Eurovision entry.
Once more demonstrating his love of electronic textures and collaboration, Grant teamed up with John Congleton, Tracey Thorne, Amanda Palmer and Budgie (Siouxsie And The Banshees) for his 2015 album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure. His idiosyncratic reputation was only furthered when he wrote a song for Robbie Williams before forming the band Creep Show with members of Cabaret Voltaire and Tunng.
Grant’s fourth album, Love Is Magic, found the singer-songwriter delving further into electronica while covering themes from video arcades to Chelsea Manning. He returned in introspective form on 2021’s Boy From Michigan, produced by Welsh producer and singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon. In 2023 Grant released Yawning Abyss with Creep Show.
Encore
Encore
Pre-order the new album from John Grant to gain exclusive access to his UK tour
FANTASTIC SET. JUST GREAT TO HEAR HIM LIVE BEFORE MY EYES. COME BACK SOON JOHN
From start to finish JG did not disappoint His piano work is superb
Best gig in ages, masterful, amazing! What a talent 😁
Brilliant night, never disappoints .. unless of course you want more
Brilliant artist. Such a privilege. Totally awesome.
Fantastic set from the dreamy John Grant - a good mix of new stuff and back catalogue classics. Hackney Church is a lovely venue and I had a birds-eye view from the unreserved seating in the balcony. Sadly I had to leave early to make my train, and I missed the last three songs inc GMF, sob. Even so, a great night and well worth the journey.