‘Serving scunt’: Why does CMAT love the Scottish so much?
This is an appeal to CMAT from Scottish people everywhere: can we please adopt you as an honorary citizen?
Well, to be fair, that ship might have already sailed as she has practically already become one, having recently stormed the country with five shows over the course and coined her own phrase of ‘serving scunt’ (dictionary definition: Scottish cunt, if you must know). Move over, Mary – another red-haired queen has come to assume the throne.
Of course, the annoyingly pernickety ones among you will readily point out the seemingly glaring problem: CMAT is famously Irish; it’s kind of a major part of her whole brand. She can’t become the new musical martyr for the Scots. But I would personally beg to differ. You see, when the Celtic alliance is as strong as it is, everyone is welcome to take the helm.
That’s part of the reason why the singer’s appeal has exploded so much within Scotland over the past few years, along with the fact that her status is continuing to rise more widely. There’s something about people with a different outlook on life, who have interesting things to say but can equally take the piss, that we just inherently warm to.
Naturally, adding to this is the old adage that there is no better crowd than a Scottish one, and so if you’ve got some bangers, a great stage presence, generally appeal to our political sensibilities and are up for a laugh, then you’ll go over well. CMAT doesn’t just have that but possesses that by the bucketload. She’s always been on to a winner.
In an attempt not to just make this an article of one lavishing compliment after another, let’s move things along, despite the fact that there is so much more I could say. Having powered through the country last week with three shows in Glasgow at the Barrowland Ballroom and a further two at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, what struck me is the fact that CMAT’s popularity here could warrant her playing much bigger venues.
Yet behind the mirage of her camp romp across the central belt, there were some deeply clever promotional moves she deployed. That began before she even crossed the border into the country, when she wore a fully tartan-clad and rather theatrical suit to the Brit Awards on February 28th, premiering the ‘scunt’ phrase and ramping up excitement for what was to come the week after.
On the face of it, the singer didn’t necessarily need to do this. The five shows were all already completely sold out, and the audiences would have undoubtedly turned up with an electric energy regardless. But by projecting her own sense of love, anticipation, and excitement out there for everyone else to see, CMAT had the crowds eating out the palm of her hand.
The continued support of small venues was a smart decision in this case, as not only did it create a level of exclusivity, but it also let her connect to the Scottish fans in a way that large arenas can’t afford. Whether it was stealing someone’s handbag in Glasgow or eating Tunnocks teacakes on-stage in Edinburgh, every single show left me with some sort of unique memory.
For any artist looking to build up a concentrated fanbase in one particular area, CMAT’s stint of Scottish shows was an absolute masterclass in how to achieve it. My own experience of going to the second night in Edinburgh was an absolute testament to that.
After being sent the wrong way towards the venue by a bus driver, trekking 20 minutes in the opposite direction in the freezing cold, not being able to find a pub anywhere in the vicinity en route, having to make do with Buzzballs from the local Asda in the queue, and then being subjected to a very bizarre drumming performance at a charity firewalk across the street, would the energy have ordinarily remained so high? No. But for CMAT? Yes.
The past week demonstrated that she has a core group of fans in Scotland that many artists from outside the country, and even in it, would be envious of. Paying homage to the music, from Dougie McLean to Texas, was just another exemplification of the fact that she truly understands what makes the cultural mood on this side of the border truly reach fever-pitch.
If you’re looking to brighten up your life, I would always recommend going to a CMAT show in any corner of the world. But if you make the journey to Scotland, be nice to the people and embrace the lay of the land, you’ll always be in for a way better time. Then let the Dunboyne Diana and honorary Queen of Scots take to the stage, and let the madness begin.
