‘LOVE IS THE CALL’ CAST KICK OFF TOUR IN GLASGOW

90’S NOSTALGIA PROVES ITS PLACE IN 2024

From their sensational debut ALL CHANGE back in 1995, CAST have managed to make themselves just as – if not more so – relevant now.
Their recent album ‘Love Is The Call‘ is their finest effort in three decades and watching it live this evening was an undeniable treat to the senses.

Before Cast can make their anticipates stage debut this evening, Scotland’s very own Shambolics are given the role of wetting the rooms appetite.

SHAMBOLICS

On stage particularly sharp – just 20 minutes after doors opening – Fife’s Shambolics come crashing into their support set. A decent crowd have arrived ready to go but it’s still fairly sparse on the ground. Having released their own debut album on the same day as Cast’s seminal efforts, Shambolics managed to achieve a third place chart position in the Scottish album charts; a two point higher position than tonights headliners north of the border.

Racing through their better known tracks such as ‘Sharp as Razor‘, ‘Losing My Mind‘ and album title track ‘Dreams, Schemes and Young Teams‘ – the growing crowd have opened their arms to Shambolics tonight. Something feels a little lackadaisical though, which comes as a surprise here. The band looks a little lost and disconnected at points. The wide stage of SWG3 Galvanizers leaves the band a little static. Barely venturing from their podium positions, I’m picking up on a sense of disassociation tonight. As a band they are tight and the songs are played to a perfection, but tonight I’m not convinced that these guys are quite the unit they can be tonight. Still though, I wouldn’t hesitate to see them again.

CAST

Night one of Cast’s UK tour and it’s an early sell out. Seasoned fans to fresh faced youngsters have all gathered to celebrate Casts‘ recent accomplishment. Their first charting album in 25 years, Love Is The Call has revived this once retiring band.

Opening with ‘Sandstorm‘ and then ‘Fine Time‘, from their momentus multi platinum debut All Change, the energy is contagiously filling the room. A thrilling nearly 10 minutes which go to prove early on that this show is going to be real treat. Taking a breather to say hello to the Glasgow crowd; a visibly beaming John Power thanks fans for sticking by them and coming out tonight before introducing the new album and leading into ‘Bluebird‘. A refocused blue tinted spotlight focuses on John, who strums through the new album opener before bursting into the infectiously upbeat title track ‘Love Is The Call‘.

A medley of new offerings has a mixed response from the room. Overwhelming positive but with a little hesitance from a crowd not quite so familiar with the tracks yet. For those here for the nostalgia though, it’s back to 1995 and bucket hats for ‘Flying‘ before rattling through some favourites from All Change follow up Mother Nature Calls. ‘Guiding Star‘ then ‘I’m So Lonely‘ initiative a heartwarming jubilance amongst fans.

Back to the present day again and latest single ‘Faraway‘ leads the way for another medley; this time focused on reflection. It’s a real journey of a performance which validates Cast as a timeless entity worth sticking with. Concluding with sing-alongs ‘Walkaway‘ and ‘Free Me‘; Cast have injected a much needed lease of life in the brit-pop generation hanger ons tonight. The inevitable encore brings a final trio of tunes which expectantly ends with their best known effort ‘Alright‘.

Despite playing for around nearly an hour and a half tonight, I didn’t want the show to end. Every song was enriched with pure exuberance that could have converted even the most reluctant of observers. Between the pure sentiment of nostalgia and the hype of the new album, this band are well worth giving another chance to.

CAST are still to play Birmingham, Leeds, London and Liverpool before preparing to support Liam Gallagher on the Definitely Maybe Anniversary tour. Remaining tickets found HERE.