30 January 2026, Barrowland Ballroom
I’ve been to my fair share of gigs across the years at Glasgow’s premier music venue, The Barrowland Ballroom. However, across the whole evening, I can’t remember so many people on stage to entertain the packed floor in front of them. There appeared to be a competition between all three acts to see how many they could squeeze on stage for their own set. Had they been touring the country en masse it would have been better to charter a train to take them between towns.
Less of the frivolous background information though and onto the music.
Kicking off with Sean Choon & The Prawn Monsoon, the band played a mix of funky jazz with a nod to indie rock.
However, as much as the music played was a good introduction to the band’s style, having never seen or even heard of them before the show, what became the abiding memory was the six or seven dancers dressed in onesies they had in constant movement behind the players. It was difficult to take your eyes off them as you didn’t know what to expect next.
As mentioned though, the music was the ideal opener for a show which would be dominated by the funky groove of Tom McGuire and his own band. Whatever Sean Coon, does next, it would be good to see him, the band, and any assorted actors he has on stage, to get a more in-depth insight into their songs.
The type of opening act that you think how do the next band follow that? While The Great Pleasure didn’t have the dancers, they were no less short of players on the field of play. Keeping to the sporting metaphor, it looked like they were playing in a flexible 1-6-4 formation with wing backs in the form of a brass section and drummer!
Musically, there was a touch of quite a few styles to whet the appetite – rag time blues, jazz, funk and to finish off with some acoustic pop.
Personally, I preferred the more up-tempo numbers which were sung with gusto by lead singer Gillian Christie who could fair belt out a tune or three!
Two down. Two different but highly entertaining acts who managed to get at least 20 on the stage between them.
I sense that Tom McGuire had sent the management team out to pick up some additional backing vocals for his own headline act. He certainly wasn’t going to be found wanting in that department with his own twelve or was it thirteen band members and backing singers augmented by a female choir for the closing run through of numbers.
This wasn’t an exercise though in adding to the footfall on stage. Tom McGuire is a livewire of a performer, cajoling all his bandmates to showcase their own musical skills throughout the set. When it all comes together, the energy levels, allied to his own passionate delivery, make for a superb show.
For those who have attended his gigs over the previous few years there can be no denying his consideration for life, the continued support of his immediate family, what it means to be a father and the gratitude he has for the NHS. In addition, he doesn’t shy away from some of the mental challenges he had in the past and he hopes that he can be an example for anyone struggling with their own issues.
A show where all three acts started and finished almost on schedule. The support acts setting everyone up for the dynamic and funky grooves of Tom McGuire And The Brassholes with their choir.
I’m pretty sure there would be more than a few skipping to the towards the Trongate on their way home with happy memories to share.
Sean Choon & The Prawn Monsoon
The Great Pleasure
