Stevens can’t wait to pay another visit to Glasgow
Veteran musician can’t wait to go for a walk around Glasgow
LEGENDARY singer Shakin’ Stevens is set to descend on Glasgow for a showstopping spectacular featuring his greatest hits – but it’s a walk around the city he’s most excited for.
The 70-year-old will take to the Glasgow City Halls stage on March 17.
He’ll keep fans entertained with his much-loved numbers, such as Oh Julie, Hot Dog and This Ole House.
But, the one thing he’s really keen to do is take a quick walk about our dear green place.
The platinum-selling entertainer told the Evening Times: “I’ve been going up to Glasgow for decades now and I’m look forward it. I like Glasgow, I really like it, it’s a nice place to be. I’ve got a good friend up there, too.
“There’s something really electric about the city so I enjoy playing there and it’s been a while so I’m excited to get back.
“When you spend all that time cooped up on a tour bus, with a band and lots of people – the absolute worst thing that can happen is one person sneezes because it takes out the whole bus – so I always try to get out and about for a walk and I really hope I have time for it in Glasgow.”
The biggest challenge for the singer is keeping up with the demand from his ever-evolving fan base.
With a career spanning more than four decades, it’s no surprise the Cardiff-born star has a wide age range when it comes to his adoring audience.
But, as his recent performances have revealed, he’s now not only tasked with entertaining the thousands of fans who have followed him from the beginning of his career – instead, he has to accommodate the children who have been raised listening to him.
“I meet people now who say ‘I grew up with my mum and dad playing your music’ and now they’re at my show so that’s quite surreal,” the star added.
“Everyone enjoys the hits and that’s what people come for but to keep things fresh for those who have been to shows time and time again and for the younger generation, I like to put a spin on some of the songs.
“I’ll maybe do an acoustic set or a couple of other changes to numbers and people will come up and say how much they enjoyed the new version sometimes even more than the original.”
However, those keen to reminisce with some of Shaky’s most wellknown hits needn’t worry as he’s promised to bring out the crowd-pleasers for his 18-night tour.
The four-time UK number one artist, who returned to the charts with the release of his acclaimed 2016 album Echoes of Our Times, is also set to include numerous songs from the track.
The album which was inspired by research into his family history and uncovered tales of wartime heroics, salvationists and strife in the copper mines of Cornwall.
With influences from blues, folk and Americana as well as his trademark rocking style – he’s adamant it’ll be a “something for everyone” style show.
He said: “I’ll be bringing back songs I’ve not sang on stage for a very long tme but I will be doing it slightly differently.
“I’ve been going through my catalogue of songs in preparation for the tour, and re-introducing myself to the many and varied styles of music I’ve recorded during my solo career.
“From country rock to Cajun, classic rock to Latin, and blues to Americana I’ve had the pleasure of re-discovering the ‘jewels’ from my
repertoire that are so well-liked.
“Of course there’ll be hits and some songs that I haven’t performed live on stage for a decade or two….so some surprises.”
The singer added: “I’ve also included well-known songs from other artists whose work I admire, together with album tracks and newer songs, bringing it right up to date.
“I can’t wait to get back on the road and to have a great time with the audiences.”
When the tour concludes, the veteran musician will be heading straight back home to begin preparing new music with no plans to slow down just yet.
He added: “We’ve not stopped really but, I’m looking forward to it.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else and I’m not sure retirement is for me.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life and I’ve been lucky enough to achieve my goals from when I was very young so, for me, I don’t think there will ever be a retirement.
“We released a new album just recently and we’ve got this tour on the go just now so I think I’ll always want to go keep going. It’s still very exciting for me.”
Tickets for the show, which kicks off at 7.30pm on March 11, are available via bookingsdirect.com.