Glasgow’s alternative rockers Travis “Raze The Bar” during living room-like Vic Theatre visit

Travis Photos by Andy Argyrakis

For its most extensive tour throughout America since 2009, Glasgow’s alternative rockers Travis more than made up for lost time, updating everyone on its latest album, “L.A. Times,” while making sure to mine through classic collections such as “The Man Who,” “The Invisible Band” and “12 Memories.”

Though the entirely original line-up of singer/guitarist Fran Healy, fellow guitarist/keyboardist Andy Dunlop, bassist Dougie Payne and drummer Neil Primrose is known for playing enormous rooms overseas, the Vic Theatre felt like a living room, especially when it came to the early introspection of “Bus” and “Driftwood.”

TravisAs the almost two-hour performance progressed, the emotional canvas expanded to include “Love With Come Through,” “Alive” and “Good Feeling,” tapping into Travis’ down to earth and easily relatable nature.

Despite a leg injury forcing Healy to wear a boot and sometimes take a seat, he was as personable as ever, frequently telling humorous tales in between tunes and giving insights into the songwriting process.

From the late 1990s, “Writing To Reach You,” complete with its “what’s a ‘Wonderwall’ anyway?” reference to Oasis, fit next to a 2000s tune, the domestic abuse-framed “Re-Offender,” alongside the relatively recent life-affirmer “A Ghost.”

Audience participation was also in ample supply thanks to “Side” and “Sing,” plus Travis continued to “Raze The Bar” via the current likes of “Gaslight” and “Naked In New York City.”

The earlier “Turn” was an epic way to end the main set, tapping into exactly what made the group such an alluring import at the turn of the century, yet came across as if it could’ve been released today.

TravisA generous encore kept fans guessing, from “The Beautiful Occupation” to “As You Are” and “Flowers In The Window,” which found the fellas gathered around a sole microphone in a stripped down setting and focusing on their crisp harmonies.

Naturally, Travis saved its staple, “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?,” until the very end, prompting another hearty sing-a-long and renewed hopes that the guys won’t be strangers to these shores for nearly as long next round.


For additional information on Travis, visit TravisOnline.com.

For a list of upcoming Jam Productions concerts, visit JamUSA.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Vic Theatre include The Plot In You (Feb. 15); “Gals On The Go” (Feb. 21); Suelta La Lengua Con Itati Y Dona Silvia (Feb. 22); Jerry Cantrell (Feb. 23); “Girls Gone Bible” (Feb. 28); David Nihill (Mar. 1); K. Flay (Mar. 7); Meg Slater (Mar. 8); BBNO$ (Mar. 10); Nathy Peluso (Mar. 12); Kumail Nanjiani (Mar. 15); Jim Jefferies (Mar. 21); Chiodos (Mar. 22); Nicotine Dolls (Mar. 28) and Stereophonics (Mar. 30). For additional details, visit VicTheatre.com.