Ian Moss Chisels Out A Little Corner Of Australia In Glasgow’s Òran Mór

How music travels the world can be a funny thing. Some bands can become household names around the world, while others legendary status stays closer to home. Australia’s Cold Chisel are one of the latter, massive at home but lesser known elsewhere. When one of the driving forces of that band in the guise of guitarist/singer/songwriter Ian Moss, makes one of his infrequent trips to UK shores and his first solo tour with a full band, those in the know make sure they are there to enjoy a rare treat.

Ian Moss

Òran Mór, Glasgow – 10 June 2023

Words: Ian Sutherland

Photography: Ritchie Birnie

Moss and his five-piece band stroll onto the stage and start the set in a gentle style, almost as if they want to ease the converted church that is the Òran Mór into the evening. The understated vibe of If Another Day (Love Rewards Its Own) is followed by the first Cold Chisel tune of the evening in One Long Day.

This in itself has a relaxed bluesy feel to it but something about the energy in the room changes, and it’s not just the recognition factor. The band love playing the song, and that feeling flows off the stage.

The feel-good factor of the singalong My Baby cements that vibe, and those in the mostly seated hall who can dance start to enjoy the cool grove of the band. Zoe Hauptmann’s velvet bass lines are a feature of the evening, and when she locks in step with drummer Kerry Jacobsen, it creates a stylish driving force.

Nullarbor Plain from Moss’ most recent solo effort, River Runs Dry, may be about a treeless desert area of his native country, but it’s full of life and vitality, and fluid guitar runs from the man himself.

Things then get funky with the solo tune Hold On (To What We Got) and then more Chisel in Never Before. There’s plenty of variety here, including more singalong fare in Choir Girl before the main set is wrapped up with a bubbling rendition of his big Aussie chart hit Tucker’s Daughter.

All that singing and dancing has got the crowd revved up and ready for more, so the inevitable encore starts with the lengthy jam of Mr Rain, which showcased the standard of musicianship on stage and even segued into some Santana at one point.

A soulful Georgia On My Mind follows, and then things are wrapped up with the inevitable party groove of Bow River, a Cold Chisel concert highlight and no less than that in a Moss solo show.

It’s a shame that such a high-quality musician and performer isn’t better known in the UK, but for those of us who know better, it’s a fabulous experience seeing a little corner of Australia Chiseled out in front of our ears and eyes. Bonzer!