Fatherson grew up going to the Barrowland to watch their heroes play there – now they have sold out the famous venue themselves.

The Kilmarnock trio will step onto the legendary stage tomorrow night for the biggest gig of their lives.

It’s the culmination of a journey that started when the emotive, anthemic rockers were at school, and continued through gigs in most of Glasgow’s smaller venues.

“I think my Christmas happens on December 23rd this year,” laughs Ross Leighton, the band’s guitarist and singer.

“To be perfectly honest, growing up in Killie and coming through to see all your favourite bands there, that’s when you fall in love with music. A couple of years ago we played there with Admiral Fallow, and we were like ‘one day we’re going to play this place properly,’ and here we are.

“I was really happy when it sold out because it was so far in advance – when you’re running up to a show you get stressed, but hearing it was sold out meant everything eased off. The big worry about whether anyone would actually be there on the night has eased off, so we can just have fun and enjoy it.”

This year has seen the trio – Ross, bassist Marc Strain and drummer Greg Walkinshaw – release their second album Open Book, as well as play a host of festivals and a string of support slots to the likes of emotional American band Augustines.

However all of that will pale in comparison to tomorrow’s gig. Ross believes that there’s a special magic about shows at the Barrowland.

“What’s funny is that the first show I ever saw there was about 10 years ago with Enter Shikari,” recalls Ross.

“Then a couple of years ago we played there supporting Shikari, and going from seeing a band there to supporting them was a weird pinch me moment. I saw some great shows there, like Jimmy Eat World, Biffy and Gallows, and it’s one of those places where you can see everything from pretty much anywhere, so it’s really enjoyable to just watch a gig there.

“There’s this atmosphere that it’s been afforded over so many years, so even if you’ve never been before, as soon as you go up the stairs you know it feels special. It’s infectious like that. Even if I’ve seen a band four or five times, they seem to be enjoying themselves more when it’s the Barras because it just has a character that’s overwhelming.”

Adding to that atmosphere is the fact that the band will be joined by their pals at the show. Support on the night will come from synth-pop act Prides and hard rockers Pronto Mama, both of whom Fatherson have known for years.

“Prides are a band we’ve toured with before and are really close with, and Pronto Mama are absolutely amazing, and we’ve been friends with them for years and years too,” says Ross.

“So to have an opportunity to all go and play in an amazing venue together with them is a one in a million thing.”

Although this year saw the release of Open Book, the group are keeping an eye on the future. They’ve already started throwing ideas around for the next record, and will work on that further in the New Year.

“We want to keep things fresh, because there will probably be another record at some point, although there are no firm plans for when that will be,” says Ross.

“We’ve been going to a cottage near Loch Fyne, which has been nice – we’ve always wanted to go and disappear for a while, and do that classic band vanishes into the Highlands to write an album type of thing.

“We’re lucky enough that we’re able to get to a point where we can go and do that.”

Fatherson, Barrowland, tomorrow, sold out, 7pm

JONATHAN GEDDES