Andrew W.K.
Classic Grand, Glasgow
Ryan Drever
What started as a seemingly novelty hard rock act in the early 2000s hell-bent on partying - with songs such as Party Til' You Puke and Party Hard - has come to evolve into a much more profound and powerful entity, with Michigan native Andrew W.K. applying his message to a much broader motivational philosophy that encourages us all to enjoy the positive (or "party") things in life and dispel the negatives and fears.
After a raucous turn from Glasgow punks The Jackhammers, it was just Andrew, a backing track and his keyboard this week (with his tour manager on backing vocals/hype-man duties). As the lights dimmed to the sound of sirens and "party" chants, he erupted into view and immediately launched into trademark "classic" It's Time To Party. There was no need to tell anyone twice.
With a Cheshire cat grin built square into his face throughout, Andrew danced, pogoed, headbanged and hammered at his keyboard with manic proficiency as he fired out his own self-stylised party anthems, one after another, with little time to breathe. From We Want Fun to an extended chaotic version of Party Hard, and even a solo keyboard tribute to the Commonwealth Games, the crowd spent most of its time on the stage with the man himself, as he hit high-fives with every last hyped-up stage-diver and wrapped his arms around everyone as he screamed his lungs out.
Ending on a triumphant singalong version of I Get Wet, sweat practically cascading down the walls, it was difficult to imagine anyone else in a dirty white T-shirt and a keyboard whipping up such a frenzy. But then, not everyone is as confident, exciting and ridiculous as Andrew W.K.
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