The Del Amitri Concert, November 18, 1997
Del-Amitri Live at Usher Hall (Edinburgh-Scotland)
Tuesday November 18 7:30pm
by The-Nghia Huynh

I didn't really know what to expect - here I was, an Aussie in Edinburgh for a university elective with the prime opportunity to catch my all-time favourite band live in concert in the last gig of their "Some Other Sucker's Parade" tour at Usher Hall. The venue, with a capacity of 2500 (which was easily filled), to say the least was very well decked out with a main floor area and an expansive balcony section.

The crowd started to filter in at about an hour before the concert which got under way with a local pop-rock band the name of which, due to the residual effects of the adrenalin rush experienced on the night, I am able to recall. Its a pity because these guys were really quite good and commanded a great deal of attention from the audience, some of whom were obviously long-time fans. By about 8:30pm, the stage was set for the main attraction, the magnificant Dels.

Before any lights came on, an announcement came over the speakers accompanied by some elegant lounge music - "This promises to be the night of nights in the entire history of Del-Amitri. Sit back and enjoy". The steady flow of the naration was broken by the rapturous strings of "Some Other Sucker's Parade" - a song which would set the mood for the majority of the night. The band played selections from all four of their A&M records. Highlights included: the moody "What I think she sees"; the melancholic and yet exuberant "Driving with the Brakes On" in all its acoustic glory; "Paper Thin", a song included in the Australian release of the album; the hypnotic and beautfully executed :As Soon as the Tide Comes In"; and of course "Spit in the Rain". Justin charmed the crowd with his antics, including launching numerous items of memorabilia into the top vantage popints in the balcony (this was no small feat).

The transition was incredible: from being semi-starved in Australia (a country where the Dels appear in the media only on rare occasions) to a complete attack of delight on all the senses.

The night was still young - I'd met a couple of locals (Hi Steve and Jan - I'll get the photo to you soon). Having travelled some 22 000km, I was also afforded the honour of meeting them after the concert along with about 20 others including family. They were great - as friendly as they come.