Lapelles rock the Barras for Gary The View dedicate gig to tragic EK frontman
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Scots rockers The View paid the ultimate tribute to Gary Watson.
The indie rock band pulled the remaining members of The Lapelles onstage before their gig at the Barrowland on Friday to perform their biggest hit ‘Grab Life By’ in memory of their popular frontman.
This was the first time the East Kilbride band have performed together since their bandmate’s tragic death last month and, as one fan affectionately described it, ‘it was a beautiful moment’.
The Lapelles were originally scheduled to be the main support act for The View that night but, following their tragic loss, played just one song in memory of Gary.
Village musician Gary tragically drowned after falling into the River Clyde while on a night out celebrating his 22nd birthday.
Emotions ran high as bass player for The View, Kieren Webster, dedicated the night to Gary before welcoming Jack Anderson, Leon Green, Christopher Ballantyne and Jamie Holmes onto the iconic Barras stage.
Before belting out the band’s hugely popular track, guest vocalist Gianluca Bernacchi from Paisley band The Vegan Leather thanked The View and his “brothers” The Lapelles for the honour, before telling the crowd Gary was their best friend.
And the incredibly poignant moment was made all the more special when fans began chanting Gary’s name which echoed around the famous Glasgow venue – a place the promising young talent sadly never got to play during his brief but burgeoning time on the local music circuit.
A band admired by icons of the UK music scene and who were very much on the cusp of greatness, The Lapelles were notoriously billed to open for 80s cult rock idols and fellow East Kilbride rockers The Jesus and Mary Chain on the Glasgow leg of their UK tour last month.
Frontman Jim Reid, an idol of Gary’s, spoke to the News to pay his respects and, speaking of their “amazing enthusiasm”, likened The Lapelles to New York rock legends The Strokes, adding that the band had “obvious star quality”.
Lapelles lead guitarist Leon Green posted a friend’s video of the performance on his Facebook page with the words: “Last night was so special, love you so much Gary.”
Fans took to Twitter to share videos of The Lapelles’ rousing and passionate performance.
@louiehiphop tweeted the band saying: “Absolutely the most beautiful moment I’ve ever saw at The Barras. That courage, spirit is why you’ll carry on inspiring others.”
@reeceymullen tweeted: “Class tribute to Gary Watson from The Lapelles. Would of been proud of that.”
@heaney_kyle said: “Was fantastic to hear The Lapelles last night at the Barrowlands.”
@lib3rtineDreamr posted: “Seeing The Lapelles was well emotional on Friday :(( RIP Gary.”
@VigoDaft added: “The Lapelles last night was something special x.”
The band have yet to comment on whether they are to continue following the tragic accident but Gary has undoubtedly left a strong legacy.
Watch The Lapelles tribute performance on our website at www.eastkilbridenews.co.uk