Biffy Clyro
Barrowlands, Glasgow
03/11/2009

There are times when music is more than just notes, tempos, singing and songs. And tonight is one of these revered occasions. Each strum resonated by Biffy Clyro in Glasgow’s sponge-floored Barrowland seemingly swirls within each and every heart in the room, leaving the ballroom flooded in near-euphoria. Exalted frenzy bursts its banks.

This homecoming show is played with effortless bombast, the band preaching to a mass of heads heaving in front of their sweat-infused eyes. Newbie ‘That Golden Rule’ opens, and leads the crowd like a swaying minister as if it was a steadfast, back-catalogue classic, whilst the jagged ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’ only helps to augment the tangible anarchy.

The only downtime here comes when the new tracks are aired – even so, the likes of the bouncing ‘Bubbles’ and pogo-fest ‘Cloud Of Stink’ spotlights those who perhaps indulge in naughty internet activities; as some fevered fans elicit a passionate response to these mightily endearing tracks. Frontman and lady-pleaser Simon Neil seems genuinely appreciative of the crowd’s penchant for sing-alongs too, showing that their sweeping fame hasn’t quite gone to their heads yet. ‘Machines’ in particular renders the PA near useless as the band’s devotees give their now rubbery legs a rest and let their poor vocal chords take the strain.

2009 marked the 250th anniversary of the death of Mr. Scotland, Robert Burns, but with the joyous, ethereal consummation witnessed here tonight between hoards of sweaty Scots, these three lads from Burns’ birthplace Ayrshire are quickly becoming beacons of Scotland’s national identity. The bard once surmised that “there’s no such uncertainty as a sure thing”, but one thing for certain is that Biffy Clyro are set to transcend their homeland, and the UK too, and take on the world. After this ripsnorter, domination lies in wait.

Chris Cope