Reviews / ‘Too scared to ask Kylie Minogue for a selfie’
THERE was a Shetland connection to Sunday night’s Commonwealth Games closing ceremony as isles ex-pat Callum Wiseman took to the stage.
The musician, who now lives in Glasgow, played at the city’s Hampden Park to an estimated worldwide TV audience of one billion in synth-pop trio Prides.
Following on from Deacon Blue, the group ran through the track Messiah in front of the games’ athletes as well as gig-goers in the stands.
Wiseman even got a chance to rub shoulders with the likes of fellow performers Kylie Minogue and Lulu as the band joined in on an all-star rendition of Auld Lang Syne to conclude the event.
The vocalist, keyboard and guitar player told Shetland News that the closing ceremony was an “interesting” way to spend a Sunday.
“It was a weird experience,” he said. “There was a lot of standing about, then it was just five minutes of ‘wow’ and pyrotechnics. I wasn’t that nervous during the day. The other two might have been, but I would never have known.”
Wiseman, who said that he spent the whole of Monday replying to Facebook messages and texts from proud family and friends, added that the trio were left star struck when in the presence of Kylie Minogue during the day.
“We met Kylie when we were doing the sound check for Auld Lang Syne. We talked to her dancers, but we were too scared to ask her for a selfie”, he said.
Wiseman has been a prolific figure on the Glasgow music scene since leaving Shetland in 2003, with the multi-instrumentalist appearing in the likes of Jocasta Sleeps and Blood Relatives.
Prides, who also feature Stewart Brock and Lewis Gardner, released the EP The Seeds You Sow earlier this year.
The group, currently signed to major label Island Records, are due to support punk-rock favourites Blink-182 in London on Wednesday and a headline UK tour is scheduled for later in the year.
Chris Cope
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
