Miscellaneous - Queens Park, Glasgow, 14/5/2010...23/5/2010

by Tony Gaughan

published: 1 / 6 / 2010

Miscellaneous - Queens Park, Glasgow, 14/5/2010...23/5/2010

At Glasgow's ten day Southside Festival Tony Gaughan is impressed by performances from Squeeze front man Glenn Tilbrook and singer-songwriter Nick Harper as well as sets from local acts such as Carol Laula, former Silencer JJ Gilmour, Howlin' Radio and Acoustic Butterfly

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Glasgow's Southside Festival has been around a while, but the line up for this year was surprisingly somewhat special. In the beautiful setting of Queen's Park Glasshouse patrons were treated to a fine opening performance from Nick Harper who showcased his latest release 'The Last Guitar' and some exquisite fret work. Squeeze front man Glenn Tilbrook gave Harper his first break after a chance meeting and signed Nick to his own Quixotic label. Mr Harper was amongst the crowd in the packed venue for a fantastic solo performance from Tilbrook which included many of his old classics such as 'Tempted', 'Pulling Mussels from a Shell' and 'Cool for Cats' in which he was hilariously backed by a local Scot who can only be described as a Jockney. Despite suffering some throat problems Tilbrook packed in around 30 songs finishing to a rapturous response with 'Up the Junction'. Local Glaswegian acts Carol Laula and former Silencer JJ Gilmour completed a memorable week. The latter was backed by the Silencers' Phil Kane and Wet Wet Wet axeman Graham Duffin and performed Silencers' oldies like 'Sylvie' as well as tracks such as 'Smile' from his latest release 'The Boy Who Didn't Fall'. First class supports throughout the festival notably included local duo Howlin' Radio, the London-based Zemmy and the fantastic Glasgow act Acoustic Butterfly. The Glasshouse also hosted many alt. folk, jazz and Americana acts including the Ballachulish Hellhounds and the Moonshiners, while an acoustic stage elsewhere in Queens Park featured Sparrahawk and the diverse Billy Bates Trio. The mainstage event hosted some fine other talent including electro-poppers Blacktzar and Manchester trio the Marder whose brand of indie alt. rock is reminiscent of early Joy Division. Local indie rockers I.D. Parade brought proceedings to a close showcasing their new EP 'Rome' and impressive songs including 'Against the Law' and 'The Circus'. Mark this one down in the diary for next year.