The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Mackenzies are glad to get back on the road
Alternative rockers Goodbye Mr Mackenzie make their Courier Country comeback this weekend – and they’re on a roll.
The Edinburgh-based outfit hit form on their first dates in almost two years in Stirling and Elgin last week, and are all set for both a return to PJ Molloys in Dunfermline tonight and their debut at Dundee’s Church tomorrow.
GMM’S frontman Martin Metcalfe says the sevenpiece “really missed making a racket together” after their impressive reunion following 25 years apart was cut short by the pandemic.
When asked about the timing of the band’s return following the easing of restrictions, the singer insists there was never any doubt about maintaining efforts to build on the hugely successful series of gigs they played in 2019.
“It was just too much fun to stop,” he said.
Martin, who founded the goth-tinged combo in Bathgate in the mid-80s, says he’s relieved the band have emerged from the global crisis in good shape.
“The last two years have been tough for everybody,” he declared.
“We were booked in to do Belladrum in June 2020 and we’re doing that in 2022 now, so that’s how far it kicked the can down the road.”
AGAINST THE ODDS
GMM’S legendary guitarist John Duncan had virtually given up playing due to health issues before rejoining and admits he wasn’t sure if he had it in him to go back to being a pivotal member of the band.
“When Martin first asked me if I could do this I was definitely going, ‘No sorry, I can’t,’” he said.
“Not only was my walking suffering but my hands suffer as well from my MS. I mean it took a couple of weeks to basically kick my own a*** shall I say, and get myself into gear.
‘I CAN DO THIS’...
“Instead of playing guitar once a month and getting frustrated, I ended up playing every day and within a couple of weeks I was like, ‘Oh, I can do this.’
“So I’m on the phone and going, ‘I think I can do this, it’s all or nothing’, so here I am.”
Big John now believes that being back on stage has its own medicinal qualities.
“I never thought in a million years that I would be in this situation again – playing in a band, let alone getting up on stage,” he added.
“The feeling’s just unbelievable. And we were just on our way up – selling out the Barrowlands at the end on 2019 – and then 2020 happens and it’s like, ‘OK, so, here we are now, start again.’”
Besides his Mackenzies commitments, Metcalfe is also known for a host of other projects.
These include his work alongside his GMM bandmates Derek Kelly and Fin Wilson in The Filthy Tongues, his continued involvement in Shamanic with Fay Fife and Maria Rudd – who is behind the cover art for the Macs’ repackaged album The Glory Hole – plus his writing credits for Fife punk legends The Skids.
He’s also undertaken acoustic tours with the Dunfermline band’s front man Richard Jobson, including a series of Scottish dates in early October that featured a set in Strathearn at Crieff’s Strathearn Arts.
That same venue is now set to host a visit from The Skids themselves.
They are due to perform at the Comrie Street venue on January 22.
The unplugged gig will feature Jobson alongside guitar maestros Bruce and Jamie Watson.
The trio will play classics such as Into The Valley and The Saints Are Coming in between a few entertaining tales from acclaimed orator Richard.
IN OTHER NEWS
Elsewhere in gig news, Tyneside songsmith Sam Fender’s Assai Records show at Dundee’s Fat Sams on Thursday is sold out, as is Scottish alt-metal behemoths Biffy Clyro’s double-header at the same venue on January 16.
Looking further ahead, Dundee-based Assai have a further album tie-in live set at the South Ward Road venue featuring Glasgow synth-popsters Chvrches on March 10.
Separately in 2022, the Caird Hall has lined up a couple of big shows to keep a bit of a warm glow amid the winter gloom.
These are much-travelled ex-mike And The Mechanics troubadour Paul Carrack on February 5 and pop-rock legends Texas, who’ll play the City Square landmark two nights later.
AROUND TOWN Christmas Wonderland At Perth Riverside
Norie-miller Walk, Riverside, Perth, PH2 7TR.
Fri 10-Thu December
23, Thu-sun 4-8.30pm, family £36-£40. A brand new Christmas-themed lighting trail set to dazzle Perth Riverside with festive fun, seasonal magic, and delicious food and drink. perthchristmaswonderland. co.uk
D’arcy Thompson Zoology Museum Saturday Openings D’arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, Carnelley Building, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, 01382 384310.
Sat December 11, 2-4.30pm, free. On the second Saturday of every month, you have an opportunity to browse through the collections of the Zoology Museum. dundee.ac.uk/ museum/collections/ zoology
St Andrews Town Walking Tour
Martyrs’ Memorial, The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AT, 0141 474 0746, until Sun December 19, 11am, £12 per person. A leisurely (and non-spooky this time) walking tour through the historic town of St Andrews, featuring golf, cathedrals, universities and castles. walkingtoursin.com/ standrews
Overgate Market
Overgate, West Marketgait, Dundee, DD1 1UH, 01382 314210, until Fri December 24, Fri-sun 9am-6pm, free. Each weekend in the run up to Christmas you can find local exhibitors at Overgate Market. There’s little chance that you won’t find the perfect festive gift here. overgate.co.uk
Dive In! Protecting Our Ocean
Wardlaw Museum, 7 The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AR, 01334 461660, until Sun January 30, Mon-fri 11am-7pm; Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, free. This is your chance to explore the wonders of the ocean, learn about the challenges it faces, and discover the actions you can take to help save it. divein.wp.standrews.ac.uk
ART The Marvellous Menagerie Of Alex Heywood
Tower Building, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, 01382 384310, until Fri December 17, Mon-fri 9.30am-7pm,
free. Alex Heywood studied Animation at Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art & Design, graduating in 2017. He has since attracted international attention for his unique digital artworks, featuring an extraordinary menagerie of curious yet familiar animals. This exhibition features a selection of his work alongside some unusual animals from the D’arcy Thompson Zoology Museum. dundee.ac.uk/ museum
No 13 Gallery Winter Exhibition
printspace dundee, 13 High Street, Newport on Tay, DD6 8AB, 07769 953282, until Sat December 18, Tue, Thu. Sat 11am, free. Exhibition of art, printmaking and photography from local artists and Edinburgh Lofi Group. facebook.com/ newportontay
Night Fever: Designing Club Culture
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Sun January 9, Thumon 10am-5pm, £6-£12. Exhibition on the history of nightclub design in New York, Paris, Manchester, London, Berlin and Scotland, and its impact on popular culture. vam.ac.uk/ dundee
Royal Scottish Academy The Ages Of Wonder: The Art Of Etching On Tour The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, 20 West High Street, Forfar, DD8 1BB, 01307 491771, until Sat January 15, Tue-sat 10am3pm, free. An exhibition of 300 years of Scottish etchings, on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy. New works are displayed alongside masterpieces
by the likes of Rembrandt, David Wilkie, Ian Fleming and Elizabeth Blackadder. angusalive.scot
ART309 Exhibition
Ainetheon Arts, 3-5 High Street, Coupar Angus, PH13 9DB, until Sat January 15, 10am-5pm, free. An exhibition from a group of artists in the Tayside area who all met while studying Fine Art at Dundee College where they spent most of their time in Studio 309. Hence the name. art309blog.wordpress.com
Drawn: An Exhibition Of Drawings
Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University Of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, 01382 384310, until Fri January 21, Mon-fri 9.30am-7pm, free. Drawing is often seen as the fundamental basis of art, as well as being an important tool in other forms of creative thinking. This exhibition presents highlights from the university’s wideranging collection of around 2000 drawings. It includes rarely seen work by many renowned artists, including Thomas Gainsborough, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, WQ Orchardson, David Foggie, James Mcintosh Patrick, Wilhelmina Barns-graham, and Stephen Sutcliffe. dundee.ac.uk
Royal Scottish Academy The Ages Of Wonder: The Life School On Tour
Montrose Museum, Panmure Place, Montrose, DD10 8HF, 01674 907447, until Sat January 22, Tue-sat 10am-3pm, free. The Life School includes anatomical firsts and old master copies, amazing early paintings by the likes of SJ Peploe and Robert
Brough and contemporary responses from Beth Fisher and George Donald. angusalive.scot
Joy And Creativity: 60 Years Of Kirkcaldy Art Club
Kirkcaldy Galleries, War Memorial Gardens, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1YG, 01592 583206, until Sun January 23, 10am, free. Formed in 1961, the Kirkcaldy Art Club have been exhibiting their wares since 1964, and, in this celebration, a wide variety of art and craft (including greetings cards, paintings, ceramics, glass and prints) by their members will be on show and also up for sale. onfife.com
The Pit And The Kit
Wardlaw Museum, 7a The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AR, 01334 461660, until Sun January 30, 11am, free. Subtitled Addiction, Heroin And The End Of Coalmining In Scotland’, this exhibition features objects, artworks, poems and photographs from various sources including the National Mining Museum’s collection. standrews.ac.uk/museums
PRINT 21
Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Abbot Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NL, 01383 312603, until Sat February 5, 10am-5pm, free. This exhibition of contemporary printmaking from Fife Dunfermline Printmakers Workshop showcases a range of fine art printing techniques in etching, linocut, screen printing, collagraphy and monotype. The artists have been inspired by wildlife such as crows and foxes, weather, local landscapes both rural and urban, holidays, family, and even a washing-line. onfife.com
The Ignorant Art School | Sit-in #2 | To Be Potential
Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art And Design, University Of Dundee, 13 Perth Road, Dundee, DD1 4HT, 01382 345330, until Sat February 19, Monsat 11am-4pm, free. An exhibition and event project navigating experiments in art education and alternative pedagogical initiatives from the early 20th century to the present. dundee.ac.uk/djcad
Joan Eardley Exhibition
Perth Museum And Art Gallery, 78 George Street, Perth, PH1 5LB, 01738 632488, until Mon February 28, Thu-mon 10am-5pm, free. This exhibition is one of many happening across the country celebrating the work of Joan Eardley in what would have been her centenary year. Eardley’s life was cut short when she died in 1963, aged just 42, but while her career lasted barely 15 years, she was prolific, creating hundreds of paintings and many more sketches and drawings. culturepk.org.uk
A Love Letter To Dundee: Joseph Mckenzie Photographs 1964-1987
The Mcmanus: Dundee’s Art Gallery And Museum, Albert Square, Meadowside, Dundee, DD1 1DA, 01382 307200, until Sat March 5, Tue-sat 10am-5pm, free. Exhibition of black and white photography by Joseph Mckenzie, which documents the changing fortunes of Dundee’s waterfront and its people. mcmanus.co.uk
Design Busters
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Thu March 31, 10am-5pm, free. Watch the latest Design Busters videos, pick up a free pencil and a range of activity sheets to inspire you. Illustrated by Dundeebased designer Laura Darling, you’ll design cities, future fashions, graphic logos, mashed-up products, striking patterns and more. vam.ac.uk/dundee
The Street At The Mcmanus
The Mcmanus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, Albert Square, Meadowside, Dundee, DD1 1DA, 01382 307200, until Sun October 23, 12.30-4.30pm, free. Take a walk down memory lane and immerse yourself in The Street which recreates the windows of an old toy shop and pawn shop while also giving you a glimpse into ye olde establishments which sold shoes and furniture. These museum favourites span a 150-year period, looking at the history of retail and brewing in Dundee. mcmanus.co.uk
BOOKS Ghost Stories For Christmas
Dock Street Studios, 9/10 Dock Street, Dundee, DD1 4BT, 01382 767747.
Fri December 10, 7-8pm, £10. Join us for that most chilling of Christmas traditions, as we secure the doors against the cold and dim the lights to share three classic tales of ghosts and horror. Bundle up, brave the wintry weather, and spend an hour or so of spectral storytelling with us. facebook.com/ dockstreetstudios
What No Scones
The Stables, Logie, DD8 5PN, 01241 830651.
Fri December 10, 5pm, free; Links Hotel, Mid Links, Montrose, DD10 8RL, 01241 830651.
Tue December 14, 4pm, free. Charity poetry book launch in aid of the William Lamb Studio in Montrose, the Havilah project in Arbroath, and Marie Curie. friendswilliamlambstudio.uk
COMEDY Stand-up Comedy Xmas Special
Number 57, 57-58 Dock Street, Dundee, DD1 3DU, 01382 200387.
Thu December 16, 7-10.30pm, £10. Comedy Dundee’s last show of 2021 is a Christmas special featuring three top Scottish stand-ups. Hosting the night is Jojo Sutherland, a charismatic comic with natural stage presence who has appeared on BBC’S The Comedy Underground and BBC Radio 4 Stands Up. Opening proceedings is Gareth Waugh, two-time Scottish Comedian Of The Year finalist and now an Edinburgh Fringe regular with headlining duties from Stephen Buchanan. In 2018 he was crowned Scottish Comedian Of The Year and also became the first ever Scottish comedian to win the coveted BBC New Comedy Award. allevents.in/dundee
DANCE Saturday Dance
Brechin City Hall, 9 Swan Street, Brechin, DD9 6EE. Sat December 11, 8pm, £5. Come along to this monthly social dance event featuring a ceilidh and social dances for everyone to enjoy. facebook.com/ brechincityhall
RSOBHD Assemble & Leap
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ, 01738 621031.
Sun December 12, 7.3011pm, £18.50 (£10 for under 12s). Assemble & Leap 2021 honours the 70th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Official Board Of Highland Dancing, bringing together a worldwide community to celebrate the history of our national dance. The show features a fantastic cast of 52 Champion Highland Dancers from across the UK with pieces created by 18 leading choreographers, showcasing the culture, traditions, creativity and diversity of Highland Dancing. assembleandleap.com
FAMILY
Dundee’s Winterfest Slessor Gardens, Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 1AR, until Sun December 12, Mon-fri, 10am, prices vary. With an ice rink, festive market, bar, big wheel and kiddies rides, it’s all going on in Slessor Gardens this year. slessorgardens.co.uk
The Magic Of Christmas Carnegie Hall, East Port, Dunfermline, KY12 7JA, 01383 602302, until Sun December 19.
Sat & Sun, 45-minute slots at various times throughout the day, £10 (free for the under 2s). This collaborative event with Pitlochry Festival Theatre brims with story, music and surprise, beginning in the foyer of Carnegie Hall, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Then it’s on to the auditorium for the screening of a festive adventure as elves go on a mission to find the North Star. Finally, it’s time to visit Santa in his grotto. onfife.com
Robin Robin Adventure Trail At RSPB Scotland Loch Leven
RSPB Loch Leven Nature Reserve, Loch Leven, Kinross, KY13 9LX, 01577 862355, until Fri December 24, 10am, activity packs are £3 each from our visitors centre. Celebrate your inner robin on this festive adventure trail at Loch Leven. Complete the trail and you will learn to sing like a robin, find your own superpower and use all your senses to connect with the red-breasted bird within. The trails and activities are aimed at children aged 3-11 years but are fun for all the family. rspb.org.uk
Christmas In Dundee
City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BG, 01382 527527, until Fri
December 24.
Fri & Sat 11am-8.30pm; Mon-thu.
Sun 11am-7pm, free. There will be a host of free activities and photo opportunities in the iconic City Square this month, including Wishing Fountains, a nightly projection featuring the City Chambers building, and Dundee landmarks counting down the 12 days of Christmas. dundee.com/ Christmasindundee2021
Selkie Trail
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Sun January 2, 10am-5pm, free. Join Selkie the Seal on a trail to find out more about the V&A building. Pick up a free, family-friendly printed trail and pencil, then explore the museum. Sketch, wander and find out fun facts about the architecture and design. vam.ac.uk/ dundee
Seek + Peek!
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Sun January 9, Thu-mon 10am-5pm, free. Designed by Dundee-based illustrator Cara Rooney, this colourful trail will take you and your family on a waterfront wander of discovery around the V&A’S plaza, urban beach and gardens. There’s a whole bunch of excitement to discover. vam. ac.uk/dundee
MUSIC Deacon Blue
Caird Hall, City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BB, 01382 434940.
Fri December 10, 7pm, £45. Scottish pop-rock band fronted by the estimable Ricky Ross and formed in Glasgow during the 1980s treat their fans to sounds both old and new. leisureandculturedundee. com
Gerry Jablonski And The Electric Band
The Green Hotel, 2 Muirs, Kinross, KY13 8AS, 01577 863467.
Fri December 10, 9pm, £21. Classic rock and blues rock influences from this Aberdonian singer and guitarist. facebook.com/ backstageatthegreen
Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
PJ Molloys, 7 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NU, 01383 729790.
Fri December 10, 7pm, £24. One of Scotland’s greatest rock bands is back to celebrate their 30-year career and wow a whole new set of fans. whatsonfife. co.uk
Parliamo
Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5UW, 01738 621031.
Sat December 11, 8.3010.30pm, £12. Drawing from a plethora of influences, from The Avalanches and Massive Attack to Super Furry Animals and Beta Band, Perth’s very own Parliamo bring together witty social commentary with a distinctive songwriting approach that’s very much their own. With a heady live reputation preceding them, this eagerly anticipated hometown show will show Parliamo as one to watch in 2022. horsecross.co.uk
Dr Feelgood
The Green Hotel, 2 Muirs, Kinross, KY13 8AS, 01577 863467.
Sat December 11, 9pm, £29.90. Rhythm’*’blues veterans from the 70s, whose unhinged sound inspired the early punk acts, but who now feature none of its original members. facebook.com/ backstageatthegreen
Perth Chamber Music Society: Kwon Lim Duo
St John’s Kirk, St John’s Place, Perth, PH1 5SZ, 01738 633192.
Sat December 11, 7.308.30pm, £14. The Perth Chamber Music Society is excited to host the Tunnell Trust winners, the Kwon Lim Duo, who will be playing Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne and Rachmaninoff’s immortal sonata for cello and piano. st-johns-kirk. co.uk
Pink Tribute
Styx, Caskieberran Road, Glenrothes, KY6 2NR. Sat December 11, 8pm2am, £10. Tonight, Styx welcomes the UK’S official tribute to Pink. facebook. com/glenrothesstyx
Skipinnish
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ, 01738 621031.
Sat December 11, 7.30pm, £29. Youthful zesty West Highland dance music from this esteemed band. horsecross.co.uk
Puccini Collection
Caird Hall, City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BB, 01382 434940.
Sun December 12, 7.30pm, £27. Puccini Collection spotlights favourite arias and ensemble numbers as well as sweeping orchestral interludes from Giacomo’s timeless operas. With excerpts from the well-known and well-loved La bohème, Tosca and Turandot as well as rarer gems, there is plenty for newcomers and aficionados alike. leisureandculturedundee. com
Dollar Academy Christmas Concert
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ, 01738 621031.
Tue December 14, 7pm, £10. Dollar Academy is delighted to return to Perth Concert Hall for its annual Christmas celebration featuring choirs and ensembles from the school with a selection of seasonal music. horsecross.co.uk
Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Benedetti Plays Mozart
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ, 01738 621031.
Wed December 15, 7.30pm, £13-£28 (£6-£14). Our nation’s favourite violinist teams up with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for Amadeus’ Violin Concerto No 1 while she also plays some Schoenberg and Johann Strauss II. horsecross.co.uk
Blues Night Jam W/ Pete Caban & His House Band Twa Tams, 79-81 Scott Street, Perth, PH2 8JR, 01738 580948.
Thu December 16, 8-11.45pm, £5. The gig may be led by Pete Caban but his house band are always willing to welcome other skilled blues musicians on stage to join in. That’s what a jam is after all. thetwatamsperth.com
Dunedin Consort: Handel’s Messiah
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ, 01738 621031.
Thu December 16, 7-10pm, £13-£28 (£6-£14). Dunedin Consort deliver an interpretation of Handel’s Messiah that makes the listener aware of the work’s sophistication as well as how uplifting it can be. horsecross.co.uk
THEATRE Cinderella
Whitehall Theatre, 12 Bellfield Street, Dundee, DD1 5JA, 01382 434940. Fri 10-Fri December 17. Sat & Sun 1pm & 5.30pm; Tue-thu 7.15pm, £15 (£13; family tickets £52). Downfield Musical Society presents the tale of the magic slipper and a large pumpkinwhitehalltheatre. com
Dick Whittington
Kirriemuir Town Hall, 28-30 Reform Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BS.
Sat December 11, 7.30pm, £4.25-£12.50. The Kirrie Panto Group returns to the stage with the ever popular Dick Whittington, loosely based on the true story of a man’s travels to London accompanied by his faithful cat, Tommy, to seek the streets that are paved with gold and make his fortune. Laughs, songs, comedy and outlandish costumes are pretty much guaranteed. facebook.com/ kirriepantogroup
The Witches
Studio 132, 132 East High Street, Forfar, DD8 2ER. Wed 15-Sat December 18, 7.30pm, £38. Roald Dahl’s family tale with a dark edge is adapted for the stage by David Wood, presented by the Forfar Dramatic Society. forfardramatic.com
Nardone’s Academy Of Performing Arts Presents: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Lochgelly Centre, Bank Street, Lochgelly, KY5 9RD, 01592 583303.
Mon 13-Thu December 16, 7pm (plus Thu 12.30pm), £15 (£13). Nardone’s Academy Of Performing Arts bring you yet another fun-filled extravaganza with Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, the classic family panto which asks can good triumph over evil’? The Magic Mirror sends the queen into outrage by declaring that Snow White is the fairest of them all’ but will our heroine and her pals win out at the end of the day? onfife.com
Aladdin
Blairgowrie Town Hall, Brown Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6EX, until Sun December 12.
Fri 7pm.
Sat & Sun 3pm, £8-£12. Having been unable to put on a panto last year, Blairgowrie Players are excited to return to the stage with this festive romp. blairgowrietownhall.co.uk/ index.html
The Panto That Never Was
Dibble Tree Theatre, 99a High Street, Carnoustie, DD7 7EA, until Thu December 16. Mon 6pm; Tue 5.15pm; Wed & Thu 7pm, £3. Carnoustie Theatre Club’s panto is back, but in a slightly different form given the restrictions of recent times so The Panto That Never Was will be presented as a filmdibbletree.com
A Christmas Carol
Dundee Rep Theatre, Tay Square, Dundee, DD1 1PB, 01382 223530, until Fri December 31, Mon-sat, various times, £10-£20. Dundee Rep team up again with Noisemaker for this adaptation of the classic Dickens novel. Directed by Andrew Panton and featuring regular rep figures such as Irene Macdougall, Emily Winter and Ann Louise Ross. dundeerep.co.uk
Cinderella
Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5UW, 01738 621031, until Fri December 31, various times, £12.50£25.50 (£9.50-£20.50; children £9.50-£13). Join Cinderella and friends for a festive feast of songs, jokes and laughter. horsecross.co.uk