Afghan Whigs - ABC, Glasgow, 27/5/2017

by Tony Gaughan

published: 30 / 6 / 2017

Tony Gaughan at the ABC in Glasgow enjoys a glistening set from the Afghan Whigs which incudes tracks from their most successful albums and a heartfelt tribute to a missing band mate

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Early bird fans were treated to a short set from Ed Harcourt as he opened the evening's proceedings to a less than capacity crowd; plenty of events, including a Cup final, may have dampened the enthusiasm, but those who braved the early set time were treated to a short but succinct set by the London-based, singer-songwriter, including 'Occupational Hazard', 'Furnaces' and 'You Give Me More than Love', where he chose a surprised audience member to join him at the crush barriers. Greg Dulli appeared to a enthusiastic audience with opener 'Birdland' from the Afghan Whigs' latest release, 'In Spades'. The Cincinnati band joined him for another new track, 'Arabian Nights', performing to a still less-than-full hall, although the crowd certainly joined in the spirit of the occasion through many old classics and also by loving the 'In Spades' tracks which included 'Light as a Feather'. Dave Rosser, who had missed the tour through illness, couldn't be there, so up stepped Ed Harcourt, solidifying the set, particularly on the Pleasure Club cover 'You Want Love' which was dedicated to Dave and to an approving audience. The Afghan Whigs have delivered some critically acclaimed albums, but none more so than the 1993 released 'Gentlemen', and the title track was well received. Other highlights from the set such as 'John the Baptist', 'Somethin' Hot' and closer, 'Lost in the Woods' had the audience calling for more. Dulli obliged with a few encores, including piano ballad 'Summer's Kiss' which sounded very John Hiatt-esque. This was a very decent effort that would certainly have the crowd delving back into their collections on exit.