Speak of The Proclaimers and the names of about four songs leap right out from the mouths of most music lovers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), I’m On My Way, Sunshine on Leith, and Letter from America.
But there’s a lot more to revel in – even for those not well-versed with their enchanting discography. With The Proclaimers all set to perform at the InterContinential Doha on Friday night (tomorrow), Qatar will experience the carefree joy of foot stamping numbers and the rush of spirited sing-along as the Scottish band composed of twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reed will serve up a mix of their classic hits as well as songs from their well-received new album “Let’s Hear it for the Dogs”.
Following a hugely successful 2015 UK and Ireland tour, Scotland’s most well known and loved identical twin brothers are travelling much more than ‘500 Miles’ this year, as they continue to play to fans all over the world.
In their distinctive singing style that rings with a sweet Scottish accent, The Proclaimers promise to win Doha over tomorrow as they take the stage at 9:30pm. The doors open at 7pm and DJ Legacy will spin some cool tracks that pack in his infectious style of funk, soul, old school disco and RnB, before and after The Proclaimers’ performance.
Jared McCulloch, Managing Director of Iconic Events, which is organising the show, told Community, “We are really excited about the Proclaimers Live in Qatar. It’s going to be a great experience on the beach at the InterContinental Doha. I have seen The Proclaimers live many times before. They never fail to impress. They are a great band and have had many hits and many critically acclaimed albums over the last 30 years or so.”
The online tickets for the show – priced at QR250, inclusive of one beverage – are available via Facebook.com/IconicQatar
Speaking of the top-of-the-line arrangements put together for the big-ticket show, McCulloch said, “The setup is specially designed for the band which is on par with our Stereophonics concert last November. Also, the response from fans has been great. Iconic and the InterContinental Doha look forward to welcoming everyone on Friday. I am sure it will be an unforgettable evening for everyone in attendance.”
Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid have over the years enjoyed huge success across the globe as the emotional honesty, political fire, wit and singalong raucousness of their songs and their extensive touring has entertained fans new and old, their bio says. “The Proclaimers have carved out a niche for themselves in the netherworld where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide. In the process they have enjoyed Gold and Platinum singles and albums in UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.”
Born in Leith in 1962, Craig and Charlie Reid grew up in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty in Fife. At home, they listened to early rock ‘n’ roll and country greats such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. At school they played in punk bands and formed The Proclaimers in 1983.
Among other feats, The Proclaimer’s songs, provided the inspiration to an enormously successful, acclaimed, award-winning musical, “Sunshine On Leith”, put together by the Dundee Rep Theatre. Written by Stephen Greenhorn, the drama follows the highs and lows of two soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. Families, relationships and life in Leith are not all plain sailing in this exceptional love story about everyday life in Scotland.
About how they came up with, arguably, their most famous song, Craig Reid, singer-songwriter and one half of the band, had recounted to The Guardian, last year: “In 1988, we were sitting in a flat in Edinburgh waiting to go up and play a gig in Aberdeen. We had an hour to kill before our lift, so I started playing some chords on the electric piano – and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) came straight away. I had the tune and lyrics in 45 minutes flat. I can’t play guitar, so I played it to Charlie and he changed it to those Buddy Holly-type downstrums. It’s not a hard song to play. Right from the start we knew it was catchy, but when we started playing it live the reaction was tremendous.”
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