January 31, 2009 14:22

Alan McGee: 'Glasvegas could be biggest in the world'

Former Creation man talks about Shockwaves NME Awards Glasgow gig

Photo Gallery: Glasvegas
Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem

Former Creation record label boss Alan McGee said that he believes Glasvegas could become the "biggest band in the world" after seeing them on the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour at the Glasgow O2 Academy last night (January 30).

The band played the hometown gig along with Friendly Fires, White Lies and Florence And The Machine, and are set to play again at the venue tonight (January 31).

Sending out a bulletin from his MySpace account after the gig McGee, a long-time admirer and friend of the band, declared that the four-some were the greatest band ever to emerge from the Scottish city.

"[Frontman] James Allan is a truly great songwriter," he wrote. "2,500 people in Glasgow singing 'It's My Own [b]Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry' is like a war cry set to a broken heart. Glasgow has never produced a band as good as this ever before.

"The band have got really, really good live as they can now all really play. They could end up being the biggest band in the world after watching last night. They are that good, it was that emotional.

"Roll on tonight, two sold-out Academys in Glasgow, 5,000 tickets. This time last year they were at [venue] King Tuts, 400 people.

"They make you believe in rock'n'roll. They make you believe in Glasgow, Paul [Donaghue]'s [bassist] auntie at 70, punching the air to 'Fuck You It's Over'.

"'Only in Glasgow dude,' I said. This city breathes rock'n'roll. The Glasvegas aunties at 70 are more rock'n'roll than [Coldplay's] Chris Martin will ever dream to be."

The Shockwaves NME Awards Tour continues tonight in Glasgow. See NME.COM/Awards/Tour for full information.

Are you going to the shows? If so send your reviews, stories and pictures to news@nme.com with "Awards tour" in the subject line and we will publish the best.