Del Amitri formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1980 and became one of the most respected alternative rock bands of the 1990s. While they never achieved the same commercial success in the United States as some of their peers, they built a loyal following through sharp songwriting and memorable melodies.

“Always the Last to Know” from their 1992 album, Change Everything, sounded fantastic in the Vic Theatre. The song’s combination of heartbreak and catchy hooks explains why it remains one of the band’s most-streamed tracks. “The last to know where you are / The last to know if you’re happy now / Or if he’s cheating on you like I cheated on you”. 

One of the evening’s strongest moments came with “Driving With the Brakes On” from their 1995 album, Twisted. The quieter arrangement allowed Justin Currie’s voice and lyrics to take center stage, creating one of the most emotional moments of the concert. “When you’re driving with the brakes on, When you’re swimming with your boots on, It’s hard to say you love someone, And it’s hard to say you don’t.”

Later in the set, they played “Roll to Me,” their biggest hit in the United States. It is their most popular song on Spotify with over 79 million streams. “So don’t try to deny it, pretty baby / You’ve been down so long you can hardly see / When the engine’s stalled, and it won’t stop raining / It’s the right time to roll to me”. It was a bit surprising they didn’t close with this one.

Soon afterwards is “Be My Downfall”. This is an absolutely beautiful song. “Be my downfall / Be my great regret / Be the one girl / That I’ll never forget / Be my undoing / Be my slow road to ruin tonight”. 

The band sounded excellent throughout the night. Currie remains an engaging frontman, while the rest of the group demonstrated the chemistry that comes from performing together for decades. The Vic Theatre was the perfect venue for the show, large enough to create energy but intimate enough that every lyric could be heard clearly.

See the full setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $59

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value 

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney