THEY ONLY SING WHEN THEY’RE TWINNING THE PROCLAIMERS, CORN EXCHANGE HADDINGTON *****
			On the first night of their Scottish tour, Auchtermuchty’s heroes made the leap from Hampden to Haddington. Craig and Charlie Reid roared back on to the world stage by entertaining 50,000 fans and a TV audience of around one billion at the Champions League Final. With even Homer Simpson covering their songs, the boys are suddenly the coolest twins on the planet. Yet they made every one of the fans who packed into the spacious Corn Exchange feel as as if they were a personal friend. These folk heroes have never forgotten their roots. It’s hard to imagine that they could receive a reception anywhere in the world to match the one they received here. The setting couldn’t have been more romantic. On a warm spring night, people spilled out on to the street to escape the venue’s no smoking policy or just to enjoy their pint in the sun. However, everyone rushed inside when the talented twins took to the stage. We were treated to a truly crowd-pleasing set of greatest hits. Almost everyone was a classic. Highlights included the likes of Over And Done With, I’m On My Way and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). And, from last year’s Persevere album, Sweet Little Girls showed they’ve lost none of their songwriting skills. The Reid’s nostalgic acoustic version of Letter From America and a surprisingly rocky cover of The Temptations’ Get Ready vied for best moment. The only winner, though had to be the tear-jerking Sunshine On Leith, which saw all the Hibernian football tops come out in a show of terracing harmony. Forget about irony, or any patronising back-slapping just because they’ve made it this far. The Proclaimers are a true band of the people – and every Scot should be proud they’re ours. David Pollock Sunday Mail Close window