TRNSMT taking off was music to my ears.. but I’m not sorry rockets are grounded again
ANYONE who knows me will acknowledge that I have a rather old-fashioned taste in music.
Ask me what I thought of last weekend’s big music festival that was covered extensively by the BBC and I’d probably say: “Last Night of the Proms? Yeah, it was brilliant…”
But even this auld fuddy-duddy was aware of the three-day TRNSMT event – Scotland’s biggest music gig – that attracted thousands of people to Glasgow.
And yes, while I’ll always prefer Frank Sinatra, Engelbert Humperdinck and The Beverly Sisters to Primal Scream, Snow Patrol and The Chemical Brothers, it still put a big smile on my face.
Why? Well, after 18 months of just about EVERYTHING being cancelled, I simply thought it was great to see so many young people enjoying themselves.
TRNSMT boss Geoff Ellis revealed he was close to tears. Yep, he only had a fiver on him and it was £6.50 for a plastic cup of warm lager…
Seriously, though, I’m afraid not all big events have been given the nod and I read this week that Glasgow’s annual Bonfire Night fireworks display has been axed. I assume this is all down to Covid-19. Or perhaps there are simply no fireworks left in the city after the Rangers fans’ title celebrations back in May?
It’s always a shame when something like this happens. A few years ago, the fireworks display in Airdrie was very disappointing and the organiser couldn’t understand it.
As he explained: “All the fireworks seemed fine when I tested them the night before.” (I’m told the Airdrie fire service had a busy time of it on November 5 last year. It started
Even this auld fuddyduddy was aware of 3-day festival
raining, you see, so they moved the fireworks display indoors…). Anyway, folks, before the good people of Glasgow are too disheartened by this bad news, perhaps I should point out that November 5 this year is a Friday.
No fireworks display, sure, but take a stroll up Sauchiehall Street at closing time and I guarantee you’ll see plenty of rockets. Tell you what, I bet the city’s dog lovers were DELIGHTED to hear this news.
Most pet pooches are terrified of fireworks and I’m sure you’ve all seen heartbreaking videos on social media of the poor wee things shaking with fear. My wee dug – a five-year-old Maltese called Casper – has never been
bothered by the explosive sound of rockets and bangers on Bonfire Night.
My wife reckons it’s because he’s used to me coming home four nights a week after a curry. Sure, he barks, yelps and squeals like crazy when anyone comes to our front door, but he’s absolutely fine with fireworks. Memo to our postman, milkman and all the delivery drivers: so I can enjoy my TV programmes in peace, any chance you could start carrying a lit sparkler? PS. According to another newspaper report, there are fears that Halloween might not be as much fun this year due to a pumpkin shortage. However, I didn’t read this story in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Tribune or any other American paper, so there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Pumpkins? At Halloween? Nah, not in Scotland. We’ll stick to tumshies, thanks very much.
Pumpkins are a big thing in the US. They even voted one in as president a few years ago. But I hate all that American guff. Call me old-fashioned but any kids who dare to utter the words “trick or treat” at my front door on Halloween will have it slammed in their face. PPS. True story: a mate of mine proposed to his girlfriend on Bonfire Night and you should have seen the look on her face when he presented her with “a big sparkler”…