Concert review: The Proclaimers, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

By Sarah Cowen

“Can we stand up?”, jokingly asked a man on the end of our row. As if anyone could keep to their seats with the glorious melodies and pumping rhythms of Craig and Charlie Reid soaring to the rafters.

Our comic in the audience was referring to a very minor skirmish down at the front where one persistent usherette tried, unsuccessfully, to still a man intent on dancing just feet from the stage. He was the first of many who came, saw and couldn’t keep still.

Our Scottish legends held the stage for nearly an hour and a half with numbers from all quarters of their 25-year career. They wore their political hats on their heads and hearts on their sleeves. We heard a strident Cap In Hand, a lyrical Sean and the rabble-rousing favourites I’m On My Way and Let’s Get Married.

New numbers were greeted as enthusiastically as the stompers that have become Caledonian trademarks – cue I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) which had most of the audience leaping, as one, to their feet.