Gallus

The 15th gig on our A to Z musical adventure was ……

To those in the musical ‘know’, Glasgow band Gallus has been building a well-deserved reputation as a live band for the past six or more years. Their mix of punk attitude, allied to fine musicianship, is built around songs blending insightful observations of life as many know it, in a humorous, some Glaswegians might even say, ‘gallus’ manner.

So who are Gallus and what’s making them turn the heads and ears of an ever increasing audience at home and abroad?

Last year (2023) they released their debut album We Don’t Like The People We’ve Become and you can find my thoughts on this in a previous post here. And a fine album it is too.

However, at last night’s gig in Milan, the songs took on a new life of their own which had the audience bouncing throughout. If they entered the stage for their Italian debut, they left having completed their own Italian Job!

From the opening song ‘Moderation’ to closing track ‘Actual Factual’ (repeated on the night as an encore at the audience’s insistence!) Barry Dolan held sway. As a front man he has the charisma and confidence to bring dynamism to every song played, together with the ability to have the audience eating out of the palm of his hands, even when they might not understand a single word he says with his Bankie accent.

For me though, the best front men in the world, require the whole band to perform as one, and Gallus, on the evidence of last night, is a team with a hard-working ethic across the group.

The guitars and backing vocals add a blanket of energy that drives the songs forward. Maintaining the rhythm, the bass and drums appear to be in perfect tandem. (One of these days I’ll see a band with the drummer and bass front and centre. Though, as a non-musician, maybe there’s a solid reason for this. I’ll ask Paul McCartney next time I see him!!)

Was it a successful night? Absolutely.

Did the Milanese crowd appreciate the band coming into town? Absolutely.

Is this the last we’ll be hearing of Gallus? Absolutely NOT.

They’re on a roll, with a headline set on one of the stages at TRNSMT in Glasgow this summer. This amongst many other gigs across Europe as they expand their fanbase. Catch them if you get the chance. You won’t be disappointed. Hopefully see you at the Barrowlands soon guys!

It’s not often you get a name check at a gig so far away from home. Alistair Duthie, you were that man in Milan last night!

Barry is asking for you. Also turns out that Bronagh knows Barry’s mum, and it was great that Barry spent some time with us after the gig to reminisce about his family with Bronagh and tell us about some of their plans for the future. Much appreciated.