I used to go to plenty of gigs back in the day. Not every night, maybe 5 or 6 a month. Averaged that is, less in winter and more in summer. But lately (meaning past few years) my monthly average must be about 0.3. Mainly due to work commitments but also due to a loathing of crowds in general and gig crowds in particular. You know the ones, The Talker, The Big Fucking Rucksack, The Overexcited Student, The Complete Arsehole etc etc… But even misanthropy can be usurped by the lure of guys like Sleepy & James and I found myself attending 2 gigs in one night. I was almost like an overexcited student…

Firstly at Stereo to see Sleepy Eyes Nelson. If you’ve been to Hooverville before you know I’m a fan of Nelson’s simple, straight talking Clyde Delta Blues. Among Glasgow’s heavily oversubscribed and under qualified music scene Sleepy Eyes is a beacon for all rational, dignified and cool as fuck music fans like what I am. It was certainly going to be a test for him as he had to follow a very fresh faced band who among many, many other things were VERY LOUD. A lesser bluesman may have balked at this, but our hero took it all in his stride after sinking his 8th, or maybe 14th, beer. The few times I’ve been in stereo the sound has been terrific and Sleepy Eyes benefited from it tonight as his solitary guitar really filled the room. I won’t bullshit you, the crowd wasn’t huge. But they all enjoyed his set especially You Don’t Steal From Me and Dying Rodent Blues, and he sold quite a few Cd’s which I take to be a sign of his increasing popularity. Sleepy’s marchin’ on, baby.

So from Stereo to The Bay to see James Apollo. It’s nigh on five years since i first ran into James and I always make sure to catch him when he’s in town (‘cept that one time i was on holiday) He’s got a certain je ne sais quoi about him, has James. A rakish and likable young fella, he has been slowly gathering pace over the last few years with ace reviews in the press and invites to radio stations galore. What has James got that the others don’t? Style, baby. And vision. Anyone can do songs about heartbreak and loneliness but James Apollo wraps them in a dramatic, cinematic fur coat. His live show has always been entertaining and tonight was no exception. The sound was a little muddy but he held strong for the likes of Happiness and Call Off The Violins, and the closer of Bad Old Buzzard was excellent.

So two gigs in one night, and two different crowds. When I got home my wife asked if i enjoyed myself. I said Yes. Yes I did. Thanks Sleepy, James.