CAM COLE: GLASGOW, UK
Standing in line outside Glasgow’s infamous Garage, two kind men handed off two spare tickets in exchange for a lighter, perfectly setting the scene for a night with Cam Cole. Before getting assigned this review, I had heard little about Cam Cole or his music -- but as I found out; I was in the minority. Even those two random winners passing by that had a lighter had heard of Cole, and explained in awe their respect for him being a one-man band, his journey from being a busker on busy city streets, and his ability to put on a show filled with kindness and great tunes in any venue.
And they were right.
His smile when he looks at the crowd reveals he’s performing because this is his calling, and you can see it with every strum of his guitar, every hit against the drum, and every tap of the tambourine. The energy is magnetic here in the Attic - whether it be the mosh pits that break out, the hypnotising drone of Cole’s voice, or the way that the hour-long show flew by in a blink of an eye.
No songs are announced, except for one special one where he notes that he played it at the end of busking gigs, which helps the show flow so well together. While each song fits a theme that tells a beautiful and lyrical ode of growth, pain, and revival - they don’t sound the same.
‘Mama’, with his pleading to Mother Nature to save those who help the earth and protect them from her wrath, to ‘New Age Blues’, coming with realisations of going down the wrong path and growth from it, to ‘I Don’t Need to Live Your Way’, a defiance against the too strict rules and conformity that pressures our society.
Cole promised to meet anyone after the show and talk to them, and I was expecting a queue outside on the chilly night. Rather, Cole went to a corner of the room near the exit and talked to everyone who stood in line with him and took a selfie with them. He genuinely cares and appreciates everyone who comes to the show, and while merch is available to buy at the end of the night, there was no pressure or mention to buy it.
So while I had never heard of Cole, that busker stole my heart for the night. A couple of days after the show, I’m still humming along to the songs I heard, and can guarantee this isn’t the last time I, or anyone else, will hear about Cam Cole. If you’re wondering how true Cam Cole sounds to him being live - listen to his first album I See, and you’ll get a sneak peek at how raw Cole is in person. All those tracks were recorded in one take to replicate the energy that Cole has whilst performing - a genius move!