With C2C London Grabbing Many of the Headlines, Our Man Brian Wanted to Shed Some Light on the Fun That Can Be Had Up at C2C Glasgow!
Friday 8thMarch
03.00. I was planning on starting this diary in the morning however I am currently wide awake with a serious case of excitement Insomnia. I have been looking forward to this for so long it feels like Country Music Christmas Eve.
Started off the day attending the recording of ‘Another Country with Ricky Ross’ a BBC Scotland Radio Show. This included live interviews with Drake White and Ashley McBryde, at BBC Scotland Studios. I loved being sat in the audience and listening to these artists talking about what they love. The interviews will air on BBC Scotland on Tuesday 12thMarch.
Then it was a quick hop over the Clyde for my own interview with Ashley McBryde backstage at the SSE Hydro. What an experience that was! The full interview will be published soon, it’s a cracker (even if I do say so myself) so make sure you don’t miss it.
This year’s C2C Glasgow had the addition of Standing Pods right in front of the stage. After my interview I was in the Pod, on the rail in time to catch Drake Whites set. Organised standing is a new thing for C2C in Glasgow and it seems to make a real difference in the atmosphere being able to stand and dance without bothering people around you or drawing the attention of security. Drake certainly seemed to feed off it and opened our C2C in his typical energetic fashion.
Raced off almost as soon as Drake left the stage to get backstage in time to interview Michael Ray. Such a charming guy and also lucky enough to bump into Drake on my way back to the arena. Thanked him and complimented his set. This day is shaping up to be very very memorable.
I was back in the arena in time for the start of Ashley McBryde’s set, followed by Lyle Lovett and Chris Stapelton with Spotlight stage appearances from Michael Ray and The Wandering Hearts. As a major Ashley and Chris fan I had been looking forward to these artists the most out of anyone and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Brilliant sets from both with my absolute highlight being a spine-tingling performance of “Fire Away” by Mr Stapleton. I’m sure someone must have been cutting onions nearby though.
Ended the evening with a walk back to our friend’s hotel for a quick night cap before heading home.
Day 1 was an absolute cracker. C2C Day 2 – Lets be having you!
Saturday 9thMarch
Early start to the day today. I met Logan Mize for our interview just as he was arriving at the Hydro. I was invited to tag along with him and his tour manager for their initial tour around the venue and then onwards into his dressing room for our interview. I could have sat and chatted with him all day.
I checked into The Ferry, a floating music venue on the River Clyde, at 11.30am for my third year at Country on the Clyde, a 2-day event timed to complement the C2C experience in Glasgow expertly organised by the team behind the Buckle & Boots Festival. Today’s line up included Australia’s Zoee Byrne followed by a songwriters round with Simon James, Elaine Lennon and Kevin McGuire. The Fantastic Stevie O’Connor raised the roof with his energetic set and Izzie Walsh kept the tempo going with a great performance before Backwoods Creek rocked out to close the day. Country on the Clyde never disappoints and this year was no different.
Finished just in time to get a quick Uber back to the Hydro. I had early entry into the SSE Rewards Lounge so managed to fit in a wee dram before queuing to get into the arena to ensure I got a good spot on the rail for Chase Rice, Cam, Brett Eldredge and Keith Urban and Spotlight performances from Logan Mize and Caroline Jones. WOW What a night tonight has been. Fantastic performances from everyone and the Hydro was absolutely rocking with everyone on their feet. From the minute Chase Rice and his band burst on to the stage (I must give a special mention to his Brazilian guitarist sporting a mohawk and a Kilt which went down a treat with the Scottish crowd) to Keith Urban giving an unbelievable performance proving why he thoroughly deserved his entertainer of the year award, the day flew by in a flash and left me physically and emotionally drained. This is definitely up there as being my favourite C2C Day ever.
I had planned to attend tonight’s after party in SWG3 with Logan Mize and Aaron Smith, however two days standing, singing and dancing were beginning to take their toll, so straight home for us. I might as well have stayed out though as the adrenaline rush of Keith Urban meant I was awake to the wee small hours anyway. Bring on day 3.
Sunday 10thMarch
Up nice and early again and back to the Ferry for the second day of Country on the Clyde. Today we were treated to performances from Martha Healy and a songwriters in the round with Gary Quinn, Emilia Quinn and April Jai. Lauren Housley and Kira Mac followed and Glasgow’s own Katee Kross closed the event. I left just before the end to meet singer songwriter Ingrid Andress, back in her dressing room at the Hydro for our interview. It was great again sitting chatting Country Music with someone so passionate about their craft.
Then I was back into the standing pod for the final night, with Carly Pearce opening the main stage, followed by Dustin Lynch, Hunter Hayes and Lady Antebellum for the grand finale. Lady A brought the house down with a storming closing set that provided a fitting end to a magnificent (and jam packed) weekend of Country Music in the best settings surrounded by the best people.
Monday 11thMarch
Although I knew I’d be exhausted after the weekend, the lure of Canada’s Colter Wall could not keep me home tonight. I attended his sold-out King Tuts show tonight and was not disappointed. What a performance. Every single person in the sold-out crowd seemed to love the set as much as I did and I implore you to go and see him if you get a chance, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Tuesday 11thMarch
That’s my C2C weekend over for another year and I think it included the best night yet of all the C2C’s I’ve attended. 2020 is going to have to go some to beat this year Glasgow but I’ll definitely be buying my early bird tickets this week to make sure I’m in place to see if it does. Before that though, if anyone has a cure for the Post C2C Blues (which I’m sure is a recognised medical condition) please send it my way!
Head to our special Country2Country section to read more interviews and reviews from the weekend in Glasgow and London!