Marti Pellow
Popped In Souled Out with the Love to Love Orchestra, Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow 26th March 2023
Scottish fans of 80s pop music were treated to one of the gigs of the year when ex Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow brought his Popped In Souled Out show to the Clyde Auditorium, and what a show he gave them. Over two hours of some of the catchiest and best loved classic tunes from a bygone era, delivered by one of the most charismatic and soulful singers of a generation and backed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Whats not to like?
Marti Pellow takes to the Glasgow stage
Wet Wet Wet made the big breakthrough in pop music in 1987 with the release of their debut single Wishing I Was Lucky from the album Popped In Souled Out, and instantly became one of the top bands of the decade, with a string of top 20 singles and a few number one hits thrown in for good measure. They went on to further success in the 90s with albums such as High on the Happy Side, Picture This and 10, but tonight Marti Pellow goes back to where it all started for him and the band, and would perform the debut album in its entirety, with an orchestral arrangement as a twist. Tickets for the show are like gold dust, but those lucky enough to get their hands on one were in for a sensational evening.
As the lights dimmed and the curtains opened, the ensembled orchestra tuned up and the background music was eventually interrupted with the immortal line ‘He would swear by his mouth, almighty’ which was the cue for everyone in the venue to get on their feet and welcome their hero to the stage. Dressed immaculately in a blue three piece suit, white shirt and cream tie, Marti Pellow appeared from stage right to roars of approval by the mainly female audience, sporting his unmistakable cheeky grin and dark glasses, looking as cool as he ever has done. The album may be over 35 years old now but Marti’s voice has never been finer. Wishing I Was Lucky had everyone on their toes, and the fans knew what to expect next, as many would no doubt have overdosed on the album when it was originally released back in the day.
Still wowing the fans for over 35 years
Popped In Souled Out provided many staple hits from the 80s, a decade of immense pop music, and songs such as Angel Eyes, Sweet Little Mystery and Temptation still sound tremendous all these years later. Marti tried his best between songs to give a wee background story to the music but after mentioning it was his birthday recently, the sold-out Glasgow audience decided a chorus of Happy Birthday was more relevant, to which Marti gave in and accepted with a huge smile.
I Can Give You Everything, Words of Wisdom, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight and World In Another finished the first part of the show, before a well deserved break for those on stage, and a chance to oil the vocal chords for those in the audience too.
Returning for a ‘greatest hits’ type second half, the bands top seller from the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral Love Is All Around was yet another singalong opportunity for the packed audience. More Wet’s hits Lip Service, Sweet Surrender, This Time and Don’t Want To Forgive Me Now sandwiched a cover of the McFadden & Whitehead classic Aint No Stopping Us Now, a track familiar to long-time fans of the band as it was a regular from the earlier Wet Wet Wet setlists. The 1991 number one single Goodnight Girl ended the second set, before another break. Two more tracks to come this evening, a cover of the Joni Mitchell penned Both Sides Now and one last sing along, Wet Wet Wet’s first number one recorded for the Childline charity, The Beatles track With A Little Help From My Friends and the show was done.
Marti Pellow is an entertainer whose talent is undeniable. One of the best British singers of the last 30 years, he still sounds fantastic live, he still has his cheeky smile and a swagger that oozes confidence on stage. This show is returning for a full tour in 2024 and is already selling out venues all over the country. For fans of 80s pop music it’s a great night out. For fans of Marti Pellow and Wet Wet Wet, its unmissable.
