Last gig of the year….
On a dreich Sunday night, chauffeured by Boy Child, I headed up the M8 towards Glasgow. Thanks to the LEZ, early “last” trains and subway, we parked at Shields Road park and ride and walked the last mile to the O2 Academy.
It was raining (thanks for that Weather Gods) and it was a tad on the chilly side. Well, it is November in Scotland I suppose.
So, who were we braving the elements to see?
Corey “Mother Fuckin’” Taylor, that’s who!
By the time the doors opened at 7pm, we were soaked and chittering.
There had been two separate VIP parties, so we knew there was zero chance of a rail spot for the night. That said, Boy Child snagged a great spot about four rows off the rail.
There was only one support act for the evening- Oxymorrons from New York. This was a new band to me and initially I wasn’t too sure of their hybrid rap/hip hop/ rock delivery but within a song or two they had won me over. With brothers Demi (Deee) and Kamy (KI) sharing the vocal chores, this four-piece crammed 12 songs into their 45-minute slot. The chemistry on stage between the two brothers and vocalist/bassist/guitarist Jake Paulino was great and the crowd fed from this energy.
Both Boy Child and I commented after their set that we’d love to see Oxymorrons out with Skindred. (Benji Webbe, that’s hint!)
Not my usual genre of choice but it works. Check out their new album Melanin Punks and judge for yourself.
Shortly after 9pm the houselights dimmed and The Box, the opening track from CMF2 rang out over the sellout crowd before the band took to the stage to open their 90-minute set with Post Traumatic Blues. The energy levels in the room were through the roof from the off.
Stone Sour’s Tumult followed then it was back to CMFT, Corey’s debut solo album for Black Eyes Blue
Corey Taylor (live) – Black Eyes Blue – 02 Academy, Glasgow 2023 – YouTube
(credits to the owner Iain C via You Tube)
With such a varied and extensive back catalogue to choose from, pulling together a 15-song set that was going to please all of the fans must have been a bit of a nightmare.
Mid-set the Slipknot fans in the room got to hear their first favourite. After a playful introduction that saw Corey thank the support act and then his bandmates – Christan Martucci and Zach Throne on guitar, Dustin Robert on drums and Eliot “Two Fingers” Lorango on bass- they powered into Before I Forget. Great solo from Zach Throne to kick it all off.
Corey Taylor (live) – Before I Forget (Slipknot cover) – O2 Academy, Glasgow 2023 – YouTube
(credits to the owner Iain C via You Tube)
Sad but true, one of the songs I had been excited to hear came next. One fan, off to my right, was ready and waiting in their “Patrick” costume. Yes, you’ve guessed it. The SpongeBob SquarePants theme came next, and the Scottish fans sang their hearts out. Metal fans are all big kids at heart but don’t tell anyone I told you.
Corey Taylor (live) – Spongebob SquarePants Theme (cover) – O2 Academy, Glasgow 2023 – YouTube
(credits to the owner Iain C via You Tube)
How to follow that? With Slipknot’s Snuff, one of the few Slipknot songs that I adore. Stunning performance.
This gig was going in far too fast. Up on stage, it was clear that the band were having as much fun as the fans. Corey commented that it wasn’t “the Barrowlands” but the atmosphere in the Academy was pretty damn close. About 5 years ago, Corey Taylor had told chat show host Larry King that Glasgow was his favourite city out with the USA to play and it showed.
The last song from current album CMF2 to make the set was the beautiful, dark and deeply emotional Midnight. Love this song but sadly my enjoyment of it was spoiled by two very loud, very drunk females who barged in-between Boy Child and I causing mayhem. (I honestly cannot understand why some folk only go to gigs to get shitfaced!)
My favourite Stone Sour song, Through The Glass, rounded off the main body of the set. Spine-tinglingly good.
Corey Taylor (live) – Through Glass (Stone Sour cover) – O2 Academy, Glasgow 2023 – YouTube
(credits to the owner Iain C via You Tube)
After a brief moment or two off stage (where a drunken brawl broke out in front of where we were standing – see previous comments regarding alcohol consumption and ability to handle it) Corey and the boys returned to the stage for a 2-song encore. Slipknot’s Duality lit up the room, but the second and final song of the night fell a bit short of the mark for me. Judging by the dip in the energy I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. As he introduced it, Corey explained that they had opted to learn a cover version specifically for the UK tour. They ended the night with Black Sabbath’s Fairies Wear Boots…
Leaving that song aside, it had been an awesome show and a fitting gig to end my 2023 gig schedule on.
Bring on 2024!
the525toglasgow 