Marti @ the SECC, Glasgow

Glasgow was special because it was Glasgow, Marti's home town and it was the first night of 'The Smile Tour'.

By the time we reached our seats, Riverway had just started their support slot. What a great sound they have, I was very taken by them and was certainly going to make a point of hearing them again at the other gigs I was going to.

Don’t ask me how I did it, I have no idea, but somehow I had managed to get front row centre seats – choke !

The lights finally went out and everyone cheered as the music started, building up to an explosive end. There was a split second of eerie silence then the curtains were cleared, the stage lights presented Marti jiving away for all to see and the place went wild.

Sweet Little Mystery was the ideal way to get the house jumping and it worked which was closely followed by Wishing I Was Lucky. Everyone had their hands in the air instantly at Marti’s command.

The first time he looked at me that night, he focused on me for a few seconds and gave me a half smirk. I smiled back and continued clapping along in time to the song. Yes I think the t-shirt was spotted and approved, phew.

A dark sinister start to the next song had us guessing what would be next, then all became apparent as it mellowed out into All I Ever Wanted.

With Marti being on home territory he said it was a pleasure to come back home and be able to talk as fast as he wanted with everyone understanding every word he was saying.

Did You Ever Wake Up, one of my favourite live songs of the new material from the last tour was next and it was just as good as I remembered.

London Life was launched into with the background noise of a helicopter that gradually tailed off into the distance allowing a wonderful guitar to shine through for the most part of the song which frees your mind. While singing the line ‘Chelsea Bridge, Leicester Square, pretty women everywhere’ Marti fittingly acknowledged us with a smile and a welcoming waving sweep of his arm out around the crowd.

At one point Marti stopped for a drink and to wipe his brow. He requested a towel or a pair of knickers to wipe his sweat. Of course, he added, that was just for the comedy factor, since he realised that most of the audience weren’t wearing any underwear – HA HA !!! He then went on with what had started out as an internet joke with his fans that underneath his clothes he is in fact completely naked ! This did nothing but encourage a few girls not so far away from me who insisted on yelling out ‘Marti, get yer kit off’ in between every other song the whole night – poor Marti, c’mon girls (maybe 15 years ago), grow up !

East of the River has always been one of my favourite live Wets songs, the words remained the same but it was sung differently. I wouldn't say it was any better or worse but it was definitely just as catchy and I was boogieing away from the second it started. It throws you for a bit when you try to sing it but you soon get into it.

My Love, a brand new song which Marti had just written quietened the audience the most all night as we listened intently and soaked up the atmosphere of a very sensual and emotional song.

Marti then indulged himself by singing his favourite James Taylor song which is very apt for him and as he has said before he can relate to the lyrics. While mooching across the stage he turned his back to the crowd during the line ‘my back toward the sun’ and tantalisingly drew his hand across his lower back lifting up his top to reveal a tattoo which of course got more than just a few whistles & screams. He's an expert when it comes to getting the crowd going.

Marti’s call of, ‘Glas-gow Glas-gow’ was echoed by the crowd ‘Glas-gow Glas-gow’.

The crowd was swaying in unison for Goodnight Girl then joined in singing With A Little Help From My Friends.

Marti got a warm round of applause as he said to the crowd that he’d been overwhelmed by the response to the album and now looking at us all in front of him it makes sense.

A beautiful introduction to Close To You was the perfect follow up, oh, how he can hold those notes. It is still one of my favourite songs off Smile, such a relaxing song.

It was a bit of a guessing game again for the next song but on the mention of 'city' I had an inkling and I was right, it was New York Vibe.

This has a very cool sleazy kind of feel to it which I loved live last year. If anything it has improved ! It takes me back to songs like HTHDTGT & She Might Never Know but more refined. I don't often go for more upbeat songs but this is one of the few, I love this song, especially live, it's so energising. In my opinion in the live context as has been well and truly proven, like I said last year, it is a modern day I Can Give You Everything, it has that sort of status.

Marti gave us a brilliant build up to my favourite song This Moment is OK, it is his favourite song too just now; saying how great the lyrics are and what a great job Chris had done for him. Unknown to the majority of the audience, once finished the song he claimed to have forgotten the first line. I had been so interested in listening to his intro that when I attempted to start singing along it took me till the 2nd or 3rd line to kick in. If it hadn't have been for Marti pointing out to us afterwards that after all his talk of loving the lyrics that the beginning had gone right out of his head no one would have been any the wiser. If anything I thought he sounded a little off key to start with but I couldn’t remember the words myself so what would I know, I’m no one to talk.

A brilliant live version of The Missing Sound set Marti off doing some rather seductive dance moves as he was getting down to the rhythm. Smoochy kissy noises before the next song, couldn’t mean anything else other than Lip Service.

Another Wets song re-take followed with I Can Give You Everything, fabulous beat. It was one thing clapping along but as for singing anything apart from the chorus, that was quite a different matter.

Love Is All Around had the perfect light introduction from Marti - no Hugh Grant mention, shock horror (thank goodness, might have had to cover my mum's ears). The musical introduction was slightly different but as enthrauling as ever. The entire hall was swaying, clapping and singing along. I distinctly remember at the start of the song and particularly during one of the lines ‘Love is all around me’ him having a more than fleeting glance along the front row, firstly at the dutch girls, just a few seats along to my left then myself and onwards along towards the end of the row. This wasn't just some quick catch of the eye, he gave us all a lovely warm smile, I thought, I AM a fan. It was impossible to divert my eyes once he was looking at me but it seemed like forever, I felt priviledged to be part of that moment. As if I wasn’t already smiling, I had an even bigger grin for the rest of the night. Thanks Marti ! ;-)

Thanks also to Moos for the photo on the left, I now have some evidence to remember the occasion.

‘C’mon and let it show Glasgow’ as he beamed from ear to ear.

As I suspected this brought Marti's main set to a close as he walked off stage to a tremendous applause. Needless to say the rowdy Glasgow crowd soon called him back when he carried on with I've Been Around The World. More crowd participation was required here as he got us singing 'Oh, I have been around this world and now I'm back again', repeatedly until we were at a volume of his liking. This was very much a party atmosphere in the SECC tonight. Rather surprisingly though and to the shock of his fellow band members Marti left the stage as soon as the song was finished, taking everyone with him. Once again we let ourselves be heard to get Marti back out on stage.

This time he came back laughing and joking that it was a mistake and he shouldn't really have gone off at that point. Or in Marti’s words ‘I f***ed up again’ then led us into Temptation which is definitely a firm favourite amongst the Wets fan ranks. The whole place erupted into song and anyone not still on their feet were soon up, everyone was singing along. Marti looked so happy and so at home up there on stage, playing and teasing with the crowd. After running about all over the stage like an idiot he calmed things down while he had us singing 'peace, love and understanding'.

However while endeavouring to flick the mic stand upright again with his foot Marti was a little too vigorous, knocking the stand over so far it ended up flat on the floor which in turn had sent the mic flying down into the pit at the front. Marti was unaware of the extent of this incident until he returned to pick up the mic and realised what had happened. He stood looking at us mouthing the words into a mic-less hand as the band played on and something along the lines of 'a cannae sing' while shrugging his shoulders. Anyone remotely near the stage could see what had happened and were all in fits of laughter, as was Marti even though he tried to carry on regardless. Eventually a roadie got the mic back, only for Marti to find it wasn't working anymore. Finally a replacement mic found its way to Marti's rescue and he was able to finish the song to perfection and without anymore hiccups.

You could see Marti had thoroughly enjoyed himself, as he invited his band down to the front of the stage for a bow before saying his final words.

‘Thanks very much for looking after me Glasgow, love to love, take care.’

Just when I thought I couldn't be happier, on leaving the hall and speaking to a few friends in the foyer I learned that there had been some shots of those in the first few rows on the big screens off & on all throughout the night. The camera had been panning back and forth, I can't even remember seeing any pointing in our direction. I had apparently been spotted clapping away at one stage and someone else had texted me on their way home to say they'd seen me too - oh sugar ! Yes a bit of a shock to start with but I was so excited hearing about this.

OK, maybe the odd imperfection here or there but it wouldn't be Marti if he didn't do something out of the ordinary and it wouldn't be LIVE !

A Glasgow audience always has a good reputation and once again we didn’t disappoint. Saying that, we can be just as bad if something is not to our liking, no worries for Marti though, there was no danger of that tonight.

Glasgow had set the standard for the whole tour, the rest of the venues would have a lot to live up to.

Having to be up (did I go to bed ?) for a train at 8am to Nottingham the next morning we soon headed home once we'd said goodbye to everyone we met after the concert and yes I definitely still had a grin on my face.