John Grant

“Thank you for waiting” said John Grant to the audience packed into the Bristol Beacon for his show on Saturday 1 February 2025. It had been a little over three months wait, after illness forced the postponement of his original date of 25 October 2024. It was certainly worth that wait. After support act Big Special had warmed up the audience with a half hour of what I will try to describe as techno punk rap (and well-received it was, too), the burly baritone from Buchanan, Michigan (although lately a resident and citizen of Iceland) took to the stage while Ennio Morricone music played through the sound system. Grant had come to play some songs from his recent album, ‘The Art of the Lie’, interspersed with some great numbers from his back catalogue. The new material dovetailed neatly with such classics as ‘Marz’, ‘Pale Green Ghosts’, ‘The Boy From Michigan’, and ‘Chicken Bones’, before closing with the sweeping ‘GMF’ in which Grant proclaims himself to be “the greatest motherf***er of them all”. I would not disagree. Grant played non-stop, with just a few words exchanged with his audience, for the best part of two hours. It was a performance that brought a broad smile to my face which persisted long after he had left the stage and the hall emptied. Days later, I still have his infectious tunes running through my head. Oh yes, it was well worth the wait.

Absolutely phenomenal! I'm looking forward to his return, & KEXP had a great pre-show session with him as well! Don't be a stranger John, we miss you!

The Mighty John Grant at his absolute Prime - the concert was absolutely sublime - powerful, gentle, humourous tragic with tight musical arrangement and the intamacy of an absolutely perfect venue

Whas ok I expected more for a ticket that costs £41 with nearly £10 of that in fees. Also o2 are now charging £7 a pint! That was flat and not very cold, I complained and got another weaker beer also flat and Cold. AND THE SOUND WASNT GREAT EAITHER.

The negative first: I really missed "Outer Space"... Maybe next time? Please! Otherwise it was really good and John was in a really good mood. The sing-along during "GMF" was amazing. So - really good!

I don’t think John and his rather brilliant band know how to do a bad gig! Superb as always😎👍

Nailed it. Please can you release a live version of GMF as glorious as that? Blew it away.

Absolutely amazing and fantastic - superlative city - really enjoyed it on many levels. Thank you John and band

Such a great gig, mind blown! So much so that I can't remember a thing, may as well have not been there.

I’m traveling based on John’s tour schedule, and luckily Tokyo is only 2 hours flight away. The last time I saw him was Grey Tickes tour in London, it was absolutely lovely listen to his voice again.

First visit to Cambridge Corn Exchange which was a great sized venue to watch John Grant. Really entertaining and put in a good shift. Joyful, funny and heartfelt with a strong band.

Absolutely outstanding!!!! I've been going to gigs at rock city since 93. Completely awesome, he didn't want to leave the crowd..... Tempted to drive to another venue while he's in the UK... John rock city loves you, come back soon. Jim in sherwood.

Great show but new stuff is too far a step away from what drew me to johns incredible songwriting talents

It was amazing. John was in top form mixing his set with songs from new album and old favourites.

Toptastic mix of extraordinary voice , vocals and synth and Budgie on drums with guest appearance by Richard Hawley. We it was Sheffield after all...

Fantastic show! From first song till the last he was on top form. Lovely rapport with the crowd made it even more enjoyable. So good to see an artist play tunes from throughout their career and be enjoying himself as much as the audience. Seeing the crowd really getting into the songs and singing and dancing was a great way to spend an evening !

John's voice made me swoon and his music and lyrics are so inspiring, brutally honest and witty. I love this guy.

Absolutely brilliant . Had the most fantastic night . John writes the most beautiful lyrics and has a voice like silk X

Great show indeed! My only, slight, criticism is that it wasn't loud enough. A venue issue no doubt (Warwick Art Cnt).

Incredible performance from both John Grant and the accompanying orchestra. Fantastic orchestral arrangements and all round performance :)