Peter Capaldi

With Lousie Connell

Stereo, 30 July 2025

I’ve been to a few gigs in Stereo over the past couple of years. A basement venue in the heart of the city. 300 of a capacity and, up to this week, I don’t think the capacity was ever seriously stretched for all the bands that had appeared to date.

On this particular night though, there was a queue already formed waiting for the doors to open. A long queue at that, and it didn’t have to be that long to think the capacity might need some elastication!!

In many respects, though I won’t be thanked for writing it here, many must have hoped that Stereo had taken on ‘Tardis’ proportions, as Peter Capaldi, former Doctor Who, famed actor, a Glaswegian who has made his mark across the world, was here to play songs off his latest album Sweet Illusions. An album released on the Last Night From Glasgow label, who were also promoting the gig.

Listening to the album, the production and song structures hint at a musical talent that has lain dormant for many years. In might not change the musical landscape however, for many, it will sit comfortably within their collection of easy listening albums to keep returning to.

With the ‘sold out’ signs up on both nights at Stereo, there was great expectation for the singing, guitar playing, Mr. Capaldi and what surprises may be in store. Anyone expecting that he might fall flat on his face would be mightily disappointed.

He has previous history of fronting a band prior to his acting career taking off, a career that gave him all the poise and self-deprecation to stand front and centre looking out at the audience crammed inside an increasingly hot and sticky venue.

Kicking off with Is It Today, moving along through to Not Going Anywhere, enjoying crowd assistance with A Little Bit Of Class and encoring with The Cure’s Friday I’m In Love before ending with No One In The World, Peter Capaldi delivered more than anyone could hope for.  He can hold a tune, he can play guitar, he can entertain.

His band, dressed in matching Adidas tracksuits and name checked as The Spiders From Largs!!, were instrumental, no pun intended, in reminding us all that this was a musical gig, not an opportunity for a well kent face to put on a good karaoke session. They were tight, they kept the rhythm going without stealing too much of the limelight and in many ways seemed to help Peter Capaldi relax into his performance.

By the end of the night, we were soaked in sweat, having witnessed the roots of where a fellow Glaswegian had learnt his stage craft. It might not be time to give up the day-job yet, but certainly a worthwhile side-line to build upon and maybe even ‘regenerate’ himself in the future.

Support – Louise Connell

One young lady, a packed audience, a nervous stutter here and there, a few songs to keep everyone interested ahead of the headline act. And, what felt like a dividing line between those who were listening attentively to her sing and play and those who just wanted to continue the conversations from outside in the queue. It’s a conundrum for support acts. They know that they won’t please everyone in front of them at the same time they hope to win over some new fans.

Like Peter Capaldi, she wasn’t too shy to enjoy the moment. Her songs, though relatively simple, were catchy and it would be interesting to see her perform again when all the audience are with her.

One to watch for the future I would say.