Catriona Stewart's verdict: three stars
THE last time I saw The Proclaimers they were playing Airdrie Town Hall. For all the pomp and circumstance of the, as Craig and Charlie style it, "magnificent spaceship" of Glasgow's new Hydro arena, - Airdrie's civic centre has the edge.
Basking in the benefits of yet another revitalising cinema turn - this time the big screen version of the musical Sunshine on Leith - the Reids are on the last night of their 2013 tour and fair pelt through a 90-minute set entirely lacking in nuance and excelling in cathartic bellow.
In small spaces the call and answer between the twin brothers adds finely layered depth to songs that are lyrically shallow and largely repetitive.
But in the Hydro these elements are lost, the songs becoming football chants taken up by the stands. In fact, during Sunshine on Leith, the Hibs scarves come out, contrasting with the flashes of tartan around the arena.
The tartan had been useful the evening through; warming up for The Proclaimers were Glasvegas, well stadium practised, skilful and probably a little surprised to find themselves down the bill from the headlining twosome.
Sound was no problem for Glasvegas but for The Proclaimers, Craig's sturdy baritone is tuneful but the lyrics are lost somewhere in the ether; it is nearly impossible to work out what he's saying for most of the songs.
But this barely matters. The crowd is there for a sing-a-long and a dance. This they get. Letter From America is bruising, Let's Get Married bombastic and I'm On My Way battering.
Midway there is a tiny homage to the King's Theatre panto as a list of happy birthday shout-outs is read. But then it's right back to business with Shadows Fall and Sky Takes the Soul.
A gallus, good time set builds and then, the song they've been waiting for - (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles. The stands erupt and the night ends with a birlie round Life With You, King of the Road and Joyful Kilmarnock Blues.
Somehow, neither Charlie nor Craig break a sweat, but the audience look ready for a lie down. They may not be subtle, The Proclaimers, but they deliver and you have to admire them for that.
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