Pete MacLeod (Merrymouth Support) - Stirling - Tolbooth - Saturday 10 May 2014
Living in Stirling I was ecstatic when ‘Merrymouth’ announced their ‘Wenlock Hill’ tour would take it the Tolbooth. However, as a huge fan of Pete MacLeod it was like ‘If Carling did gigs in Stirling” when it was announced that Scotland’s own sensation would be supporting on the 3 Scottish dates of the ‘Merrymouth’ tour. Seriously as a pretty laid back guy, fist-pumps and animated signs of enjoyment is not something frequently associated with me but when I read Pete MacLeod was supporting I got rather excited and did a wee dance around my computer (despite my sore foot)!
Having got my hands on Pete’s debut album ‘Rolling Stone’ last year and having caught him live previously I knew exactly what to expect in this performance: fantastic songs with a voice to match! If you have not heard of Pete MacLeod before, indulge me for a moment whilst I introduce you to an artist I believe is at the top of his game and destined for great things. Signed by Alan McGee (Google him if you don’t know who he is) to his new record label 359 Music, Pete is an exceptional songwriter with lyrics that connect emotionally with his fans. However, the icing on the cake is the natural persona of the man himself and his fantastic live voice to deliver his catchy and well-written songs. With that mind, the Tolbooth provided the perfect setting for a live performance to remember and Pete did not let the opportunity go a begging!
Joined on stage by his guitarist in this acoustic set, the majority of the material came from the aforementioned 2013 album ‘Rolling Stone’. Pete opened the set with ‘Re:ality’ and followed this up with a new song ‘Away’ before letting rip with the infectious album title track ‘Rolling Stone’.
Between tracks Pete engaged the crowd with some tales of his travels and previous Stirling outing back in 2007 when he supported Ocean Colour Scene at the Albert Halls. Pete appeared very relaxed and appreciative of the response he was getting from the audience and one of my own favourite tracks ‘Give A Little Love’ was next up. Written in Los Angeles, this is a song I feel really reflects what Pete is all about …catchy guitar driven tunes. ‘God Speed’ followed and towards the end of the song the lady sitting in the seat next to me commented “this guy is really great, who is he”? Needless to say, I gave her a wee run down.
Another fan favourite ‘Let it Shine’ sounded dynamite and he then brought the set to a close with the spin chilling ‘Today I Went Swimming’. Now you may be thinking ‘Today I Went Swimming’ what a bizarre song title. My recommendation is that if you do one thing on the back of reading this is that you check this song out…it is a TUNE! It is one of those songs, for me up there with the best of them.
So that was it, for me this was best I have heard Pete live and felt the venue was a perfect platform for his talent. Whilst waiting on the main act ‘Merrymouth’ to take to the stage I got talking to some familiar faces in the shape of some Pete MacLeod fans I met at his King Tut’s gig earlier in the year. Evidently this man is building up his own fan-base and continues to impress all those who hear him live. As such, as a Stirling resident I demand the Tolbooth gets this man back. Indeed, with Pete’s bassist Fergy living locally this should not be problem!
Check out Pete MacLeod on Facebook or Twitter or join his increasing army of fans by following The Clan on Twitter.
Living in Stirling I was ecstatic when ‘Merrymouth’ announced their ‘Wenlock Hill’ tour would take it the Tolbooth. However, as a huge fan of Pete MacLeod it was like ‘If Carling did gigs in Stirling” when it was announced that Scotland’s own sensation would be supporting on the 3 Scottish dates of the ‘Merrymouth’ tour. Seriously as a pretty laid back guy, fist-pumps and animated signs of enjoyment is not something frequently associated with me but when I read Pete MacLeod was supporting I got rather excited and did a wee dance around my computer (despite my sore foot)!
Having got my hands on Pete’s debut album ‘Rolling Stone’ last year and having caught him live previously I knew exactly what to expect in this performance: fantastic songs with a voice to match! If you have not heard of Pete MacLeod before, indulge me for a moment whilst I introduce you to an artist I believe is at the top of his game and destined for great things. Signed by Alan McGee (Google him if you don’t know who he is) to his new record label 359 Music, Pete is an exceptional songwriter with lyrics that connect emotionally with his fans. However, the icing on the cake is the natural persona of the man himself and his fantastic live voice to deliver his catchy and well-written songs. With that mind, the Tolbooth provided the perfect setting for a live performance to remember and Pete did not let the opportunity go a begging!
Joined on stage by his guitarist in this acoustic set, the majority of the material came from the aforementioned 2013 album ‘Rolling Stone’. Pete opened the set with ‘Re:ality’ and followed this up with a new song ‘Away’ before letting rip with the infectious album title track ‘Rolling Stone’.
Between tracks Pete engaged the crowd with some tales of his travels and previous Stirling outing back in 2007 when he supported Ocean Colour Scene at the Albert Halls. Pete appeared very relaxed and appreciative of the response he was getting from the audience and one of my own favourite tracks ‘Give A Little Love’ was next up. Written in Los Angeles, this is a song I feel really reflects what Pete is all about …catchy guitar driven tunes. ‘God Speed’ followed and towards the end of the song the lady sitting in the seat next to me commented “this guy is really great, who is he”? Needless to say, I gave her a wee run down.
Another fan favourite ‘Let it Shine’ sounded dynamite and he then brought the set to a close with the spin chilling ‘Today I Went Swimming’. Now you may be thinking ‘Today I Went Swimming’ what a bizarre song title. My recommendation is that if you do one thing on the back of reading this is that you check this song out…it is a TUNE! It is one of those songs, for me up there with the best of them.
So that was it, for me this was best I have heard Pete live and felt the venue was a perfect platform for his talent. Whilst waiting on the main act ‘Merrymouth’ to take to the stage I got talking to some familiar faces in the shape of some Pete MacLeod fans I met at his King Tut’s gig earlier in the year. Evidently this man is building up his own fan-base and continues to impress all those who hear him live. As such, as a Stirling resident I demand the Tolbooth gets this man back. Indeed, with Pete’s bassist Fergy living locally this should not be problem!
Check out Pete MacLeod on Facebook or Twitter or join his increasing army of fans by following The Clan on Twitter.