The Proclaimers, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. October 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9.5/10

There was an expectant hush that gathered momentum as the wave of the Philharmonic Hall’s house lights were slowly turned down to a point where sunshine could not have penetrated even the deepest unforgiving shadow. Yet through the gathered together dark, the heart beats of eager musical premonition lit up and took notice, the strength of such force welling up and the tangible, almost pregnant explosion of what was to come almost feeling as if this was not a concert given by maestros of the popular music scene but of Gods walking on stage; such was the clamour to be audibly heard in the whispered voices of the venue’s audience.

It might be a strange idea for some to get their heads around but The Proclaimers are a band that are worthy, commendable and certainly precious enough to have that tag attached to their name. Whilst the patronising, the minute and flustered might be snobbish in their appraisal of Charlie and Craig Reid, for the un-silent majority who attend their gigs, their rammed to the absolute brim concerts, this is a band who give so much on stage, who play with a sense of the divine and to whom cannot help but be loved in ever stronger doses each time they go on tour.

Like other bands for which music is king, there really is no need for the interaction between audience and artist to go beyond the odd smile and vocal hello, the introduction of a song with specific meaning, as Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine says, too much talk between songs means less songs. This was something that cannot be argued with and as 24 songs of restless inclusion made their way into the set, songs that included hits and personal crowd favourites such as Letter From America, Sunshine on Leith, I’m On My Way, Hate My Love and the huge audience desired moment of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), each one was greeted with knowing nods of immense approval, the growing whispers of content and the vocally endorsed feeling of utter satisfaction from all quarters of the Philharmonic Hall.

With songs such as Cap In Hand, Then I Met You, Sean, Let’s Get Married and the tremendously cool and cutting What School? all being played with grace, humour and Scottish forthright substance, there was not a person left sitting in their chairs by the time the final note ended.

The Proclaimers remain a band that many, the overall majority who understand their talent and scintillating stance, cannot get enough of and after witnessing this particular gig in Liverpool, those who cannot appreciate such flair and engrossing music, simply would have been dismissed as not getting life.

A tremendous concert by one of Scotland’s finest, a true blessing of an evening given by The Proclaimers.

Ian D. Hall