Duff McKagan / James and the Cold Gun - Garage, Glasgow 2nd October 2024

That explained the early start at the Garage. When we arrived, just before 8:00 the support band, James and the Cold Gun, were just wishing a member of the crowd a happy birthday and launching into their final song of their set. I was sorry I missed their music as; going by their final song, it would have been a good listen. I will be looking out for them coming again.

The Garage holds a mere 700 people and, on Wednesday night, it was rammed. Duff McKagan is always a welcome visitor to Glasgow and tonight there was a room full of people waiting to say ‘hello’.

Just on 8:20, see what I mean about the impact of student night, the lights went down and the band appeared.

Duff strolled on the stage looking cool, charismatic and every inch the Californian rock star dressed in dark suit and aviator shades, his blonde hair and silver jewellery completed the look.

Now, to be honest, I was not too sure what to expect from here on. Duff is a rocker, Duff is a punk and Duff has a bit of a softer side. I didn’t know which one was playing tonight. In short, all three turned up!

The night started with a bit of a country, bluesy feel “Forgiveness” from the new album, Lighthouse, kicked us off then “Tenderness” from his previous album before another cut from the new album “This is the Song”. So far so very nice. Duff was playing an acoustic and that just underpinned the vibe of the softer Duff to this point.

Interaction was sparse, but one of the things I always appreciate is an American performer who knows how to pronounce Glasgow. Duff nailed that! Always something this crowd likes to hear.

But of course, Duff knew what to say. McKagan is a clever and thoughtful guy who would have taken the time to make sure his chat, like his solo work, is just right. Duff is a really interesting man who has been on a long and, at times rocky journey, from early Guns N' Roses gigs at the Whiskey A-Go-Go to tonight’s show in Glasgow. Along the way he dropped out of high school but became the financial adviser to rock stars. He had a couple of failed marriages but is now an incredibly happy husband and father. He was addicted to substances that were going to kill him but overcame that through a dedication to martial arts. At one

point tonight he described himself and the least interesting man in the room. To offer another local phrase for Duff to master “aye, right”! Duff has led a life that has given this stadium rocker the confidence to still make it happen in small, club, venues.

Back to the music, the laid back vibe was there for a good chunk of the set but then Punk Duff escaped, just a little. He often wears a chain and padlock around his neck in homage to Sid Vicious, whist that was not in evidence tonight, he did have a safety pin on his jacket lapel. I thought of this as he broke into that Stooges classic “I Wanna Be Your Dog”.

After another couple from the new album, “I Just Don’t Know” and “Fallen Ones” the acoustic was swapped over for a white electric. Rocker Duff was in the building. “Longfeather” and “Just Another Shakedown” provided a couple of rockier cuts from the new record.

Whilst “I Fought The Law” was written by The Crickets, Buddy Hollie’s backing band, in this company it is The Clash version that Duff nods to as he rips it up with punk rock aplomb. The one GnR song of the night “Your Crazy” kept the young audience member in the Slash top hat happy before the main part of the evening finished with “Lighthouse” the tenth song from the new album to get an outing this evening.

The band exited for a quick moment; and what a band they were. Each one of the musicians was a stick out and, with their own instrument, really contributed to the outstanding musicality of the night. It’s only possible to appreciate great performances if they can be heard. On Wednesday, the sound was the best I have ever heard in the Garage. The crispness of the guitars, the bottom line of the bass and rhythm of drums and keys were all easily defined and provided an excellent canvas for Duff to paint his moving, rocking and punky lyrics all over.

After a roadie had dispensed some throat spray, the encore gave us another three. The standout was current single and Bowie cover “Heroes”. I really enjoyed it. Toward the end of final song “Don’t Look Behind You” Duff ditched his axe and left the stage. Like many around me, I thought that was just a bit too much of rock and roll, diva-esque, exit. We were wrong. Rather than leaving Duff came down the front and really acknowledges the crowd. It was great to see. The fans loved it and it looked like Duff did too.

As the thank you and good night photos were taken, plectrums thrown to the crowd and drumsticks dispensed with, I thought about how good a night I had just been part of. Duff McKagan, is a survivor, an intellectual, a real rock and roll polymath. He can also put on a show.

Next time he is around I will be sure to grab a ticket, you should too. Until then, buy his autobiography , stick on one of his solo albums and just sink into everything this tender punk has to offer.