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THE PROCLAIMERS IN CONCERT:
Celtic rock duo The Proclaimers has been charming audiences around the world with their sunny Scottish accents and jangly pop tunes for the past three decades. Stateside fans first caught wind of twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid when their song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" reached No. 3 in the US after appearing in the hit 1993 film Benny & Joon, and they've had a devoted following ever since thanks to their unique Scottish rock sound and rousing live shows. In concert the brothers are all smiles and upbeat energy, leading fans through sing-alongs of favorites like "Sunshine on Leith" and "I'm on My Way" while their backing band kicks out a pub-ready brew of organ, fiddle, and drums. But the highlight of every show is the anthemic and celebratory "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", one of the most insanely fun songs ever written and a serious party starter no matter the venue.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Leith, Scotland-born Craig and Charlie Reid cut their teeth playing in punk bands in high school before forming The Proclaimers in 1983. They got a boost a few years later when a fan sent their demo to British indie rock group The Housemartins, who were so impressed that they invited the brothers on their 1986 UK tour. The exposure set the stage for The Proclaimers 1987 debut album This Is the Story, which went gold thanks to Top 3 single "Letter from America". Their 1988 sophomore album Sunshine on Leith was an even bigger success, cracking the Top 10 in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand on the strength of ubiquitous 1988 mega-hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". The song initially failed to chart in America, but that wasn't the final word—it became a Top 3 hit in the US five years later when it was featured on the soundtrack of the Jonny Depp-starring feature film Benny & Joon. Since then The Proclaimers have toured extensively while maintaining a steady output, including a 2007 comedy version of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" which was recorded for charity and ended up topping the UK Singles Chart.
A great and pesonal venue to watch the Proclaimers do their thing. I have been following Charlie and Craig a few years now and this was my first live concert with them and was not disappointed. First rate.
The Proclaimers never disappoont. This performance they hit the stage and immediately did a very high energy sequence of crowd pleasers from their long career. The entire performance was very satisfying, I enjoyed the mix of newer and older material.
It's a long way from Belfast to The Birchmere, but having been a Proclaimers fan since the beginning and not having seen them in concert in about 15 years, I was not going to pass up the opportunity to see them in the US, midweek or not. I had deliberately avoided buying the new Dogs CD until the night so as not to spoil the novelty of hearing the new stuff live for the first time, and we were not disappointed. The set list was a veritable history of the boys, from This Is The Story through to In My Room, a classic and personal highlight of the night. The Birchmere itself is a great venue, well managed with a ticketed entry system that rewards the earliest arrivals with first dibs on the best seats, and we were stage left, plus the opportunity to get a great feed at your table before the show.
Amazing concert, great playlist "Charlie & Craig" on top form with their infectious blend of Rock, Country and Folk...support from a tight band who complimented the brothers powerful vocals...After the concert they graciously made an appearance and signed their new CD and any other "Proclaimers" memorabillia that the fans had bought with them, they also shook hands with anyone who wanted to meet them a thoroughly great nights entertainment from two guy's who have never let the music business make them forget their fans...
These guys are extremely famous in the UK [especially Scotland] where their concerts sell out - and everyone sings along with every song - at the top of their lungs. It is an amazing experience. At this show, maybe the audience didn't know them, or know the songs, but they were very quiet. It was just Charlie on guitar, and Craig's vocals... they do not have the greatest voices, but the songs are great - and it was music to my ears. Their songs are about love, having kids, about football, politics, war, etc. They are all different. It's too bad they are mostly known for "500 miles" in the U.S., because that's only one song!
I've seen the Proclaimers a few times before. I have to say that while they did a great job at the Birchmere this time playing just the two of them, they are better when they have the band. They certainly have a lot of rhythm, but without the bass guitar and drums, they are not as good. Sorry. Still I give them 5 stars because I am a big fan. The next time -- bring the band. If they are going to do "acoustic" shows, then they should be sitting on stools and being more interactive with the audience.
Craig and Charlie still sound great--the Showbox at the Market in Seattle was a perfect venue. The new album ("Notes & Rhymes") has some very strong material that played well to the crowd, and they did all the fan favorites from the early days, as well. See them when you can--they're hard to find in the States--we saw them a number of years ago in Kansas City, and they never returned. We got to meet them after the show both times, though, when they came out to sign CDs. If you only know "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", buy the Sunshine on Leith album and find out much more good material they have.
It was an incredible show! Loved, loved, loved Chris Margolin & The Dregs and the Proclaimers, well they are the Proclaimers...simply amazing!
The Proclaimers are such a fun band. My third time to see them and I would go again. Wish I could go to the Sodo Showbox this evening! The opening act was fun, too. I highly recommend this show.
What a good time. These guys are just straight-forward pros, who deserve a LOT more credit than they get for that one silly (but really fun) song. In fact, it was no surprise that they rushed through 500 Miles at the end of the main set. Joyful Kilmarnock Blues, Life With You, and Sean were my favs last night.
I've been a fan of The Proclaimers since I bought their "Sunshine on Leith" album in 1988. After 20 years, I finally got to go to a live performance at the Showbox in Seattle. What a great show! They performed with all their hearts. You would think they might get tired of performing some of their early music, but they really seemed to be enjoying themselves and the audience was definitely into it. They played a great mix of old and new. Great show!
Great show, lots of energy- a band that is better live than on a recording. Nice guys and very talented. A special evening
the proclaimers were awesome!! played new and old and all sounded great!! the double door is an awesome place to see a show. the boys stayed around after the show to talk and take pictures with. genuinely nice guys!!
If you have an opportunity to see these guys, I recommend highly. The music is great and the crowd energy was fantastic. Saw them in a small venue and it was great to get so close. Lots of fun.
I've seen the Proclaimers on numerous occasions over the past 20 years. I have to say, the Ark is probably the most ideal venue for them - they really seemed to enjoy it, too. Amazing musicians that just seem to get better every year. Wonderful music performed by a top-notch band.
Turned up at the venue and found to our joy that it was a tiny little room, room for approximately 400 or so chairs. The upside to that is that there is not a bad seat in the house and that the sound quality was excellent. After the warm up act, a local due whos names I forget, but who were very good nonetheless, the boys came on stage and for the next 90 minutes were fantastically good. They mixed in some work from their recent two albums alongside their classics and had everyone in the hall in the palm of their hand. They finished with my 2 favorites, Life With You and 500 Miles and the place was rocking. They did the accustomed encore, 3 more to please the audience including King of the Road and everyone left fully satisfied. I know if the boys from Edinburgh come back, I for one will be there to meet them. This was my first Proclaimers gig and I can say that they are even better live than they are on CD. The band is really really tight and the vocals very very good.
The Proclaimers were great...high energy...a bit too much volume given the size of the venue...otherwise great.
If you've never seen these boys live, you're really missing something very special. As good as their recorded music is (and it is VERY good), they are even better in person. The energy and enthusiasm they project made for a special night indeed. From the opening song "Note And Rhymes" from their new CD of the same title, through the entire set to a rousing closing version of "500 Miles", the boys never slipped up or failed to deliver an eclectic collection of songs that inspired, roused, or poignantly moved the crowd lucky enough to be in attendance. This was truly one of the best shows I have ever seen. Thanks Craig, Charley, and the lads for a great night!
Loved the opening act as well as the main one. These guys have a lot of energy; they barely took a sip of water or took any time between songs. They sound excellent in concert. Definitely a great time.
Adam Ezra got the night rolling with a nice acoustic set and some engaging stories... nice voice too... then the Proclaimers took over and the room really started to rock. They have incredible lyrics, songs, musicianship... just fantastic.. and the venue was perfect for their style of music.. Having a pint of beer and listening to the Proclaimers live ... a perfect evening!!
