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Glasgow Music Blogs

 

Glasgow’s thriving music scene has a strong grassroots foundation; it is also a city rarely left off the map for global artists on arena tours. Every city’s scene beats to its own rhythm and is celebrated by the inhabitants, but the hype around the Glasgow music scene is so much more than the city-dwellers banging their own drum.

Glasgow was the first city in the UK to receive the UNESCO city of music award in 2008. In 2019, Glasgow was dubbed the United Kingdom’s top creative and cultural city by the European Commission.

Glasgow is home to several prestigious arts companies, including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Glasgow doesn’t fall short on homegrown talent either. Some of the biggest acts in the UK have roots in Glasgow, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub, The Vaselines, Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, Glasvegas, The Fratellis, Bis, and Texas.

Glasgow’s most prodigal sons, Arab Strap, started making waves in 1995; with their comeback album, As Days Get Dark, in 2021, they got to the top of the UK Record Store sales chart and held the number 1 position for quite some time.

There are plenty of famous venues in the Glasgow music scene for up and coming artists to cut their teeth. Even with a 300-capacity, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut is one of the most famous indie venues in the world for the part it played in Scotland’s history of indie. When Oasis turned up at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and demanded a place on the bill, their superstardom went supersonic. The hut also hosted other legendary alt-90s artists, including Beck, Manic Street Preachers, the Verve, Blur and Radiohead. For three years in a row, the venue was dubbed the UK’s Best Live Venue. If that wasn’t a big deal, the fact that it featured in the number 7 spot in a follow-your-bliss bucket list curated by New York Magazine.

Other iconic venues in Glasgow include Barrowland Ballroom, Nice N Sleazy, Bar Bloc, Mono and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Glaswegian music fans also have the reputation of raising a roof, regardless of the venue or genre.

Glaswegians are spoilt for choice with the wide range of radio stations. For the freshest indie fixes, listeners turn to BBC Radio Scotland. For pop hits, Clyde 1, and the biggest beats, electro fans tune into Trancetechnic.

LÌONADH delivered poetry in orchestral motion in their single, European Man

Posted on 26 October 2022

Taken from the debut EP, I Cannot Go on Reaching, LÌONADH’s achingly artful lead single, European Man, consumed us with the emotion it was eloquently constructed through. The poet-fronted Glaswegian ensemble with a classical string section at their disposal may be fresh from their inception, but they are already garnering critical acclaim and causing catholic outcries.

Before the launch of their debut EP, the poet, Sean Lìonadh, shared his viral poem, Time for Love, which has amassed over 16 million streams, been published by BBC Scotland and driven the petulantly pious to frenzy by speaking for the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone that upsets the archaically moralistic applecart is instantly venerable in my book. There’s no taste quite like the salty tears of zealots.

As for the single, with the chill-imparting spoken word verses, around Nick Cave-Esque keys and operatic vocal grace, LÌONADH delivered pure art. If you thought that Arab Strap’s comeback album was something, delve into the hymnal sanctity of European Man.

European Man is now available to stream on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pretty Creatures unleashed alt-rock’s most ominous arrival with their atmospheric single, It’s Coming

Posted on 27 August 2022

With a Slipknot Unsainted-Esque intro, Kyuss-reminiscent hard rock sludge and a similar rhythmic sense of seduction to Velvet Revolver, Pretty Creatures’ seminal track, It’s Coming, is a harbinger of overdriven atmospheric alt-rock that every self-respecting rock fan should heed.

Primed to dominate the Glasgow alternative scene, Pretty Creatures (formerly known as Dead Coyotes) have blackened their sound, allowing their new transition to coalesce with the dystopia of our modern era. Thankfully, none of their former melodicism was lost to the juggernautical furore in It’s Coming. You can’t say you haven’t been warned.

It’s Coming is out now on Spotify. Check out Pretty Creatures on their official website & Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Glasgow’s Kev Howell moves through time and space on ‘Arrows’ (Live)

Posted on 7 July 2022

With a rampaging riff and gritty vocals that catches your attention instantly, Kev Howell takes it day by day on his new release to get excited about on the breathtaking ‘Arrows’ (Live).

Kev Howell is a Glasgow, UK-based alternative rock/blues act that is known for dynamically exciting live performances wherever he performs.

”His debut album ‘Haunting Ambition’ was released in August, 2017, filled with smoky poetry, swaggering guitar riffs and laced with dreamy melodies. The album was nominated for a SAY Award (Scottish Album of the year) in 2018.” ~ Kev Howell

Showing us that by ignoring the sneaky vultures as they try to look for a weakness to swoop in and take our precious soul, Kev Howell has dropped a modern day classic that is overloaded with that extra special sauce you can lather on your speakers for hours.

‘Arrows’ (Live) from Glasgow, UK-based alternative rock/blues artist Kev Howell, is a raw track that will send your whole body into a place back in time that was rather gloriously remembered. Crashing into our souls with memorable vocals, a stunning soundscape and with well-written lyrics that have you listening rather intently, this is a release filled with that extra punch.

Taking things day by day and not getting too flustered is the key to life.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Dr Void & The Skinjobs launched a darkwave post-punk attack on ‘Generation Snowflake’

Posted on 9 April 2022
When Did The Boy's Decide This Was Fun? by Dr Void & The Skinjob's

The Glasgow-hailing post-punk outfit Dr Void & the Skinjobs is fresh from the release of their atmospheric socially dissecting darkwave single, Generation Snowflake.

Even as someone that constantly gets referred to as a snowflake for having actual human emotions from their boomer father, Generation Snowflake still hit the dark and moody spot. There is plenty worth protesting in 2022; mass social media psychosis is decidedly one of them. The droning keys and spacey synths create the perfect platform for the hostility in the vocals, which are enough to make Peter Murphy sound tame.

Check out Generation Snowflake for yourselves by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I Just Need You To Know: Brecon Guthrie sings with purpose on ‘How To Be Better’

Posted on 8 November 2021

With a smoothly transformed outlook and curiously catchy vocals to supremely brighten up our dull lives, Brecon Guthrie returns with a freshly sprinkled new single with his latest track ‘How To Be Better‘.

Founded and kept alive by Chris Adam, Brecon Guthrie is a Glasgow, Scotland-based indie pop solo artist.

Fusing in that sassy synthy soundscape and pounding the sensually shuddering speakers in almost reckless abandon, he expertly layers some deliciously memorable guitar work which is up there with the best in the game.

There is much to enjoy here from a terrific singer on the top of his game – with a sweetly produced soundtrack that you will find yourself dancing to – as the nosy neighbors open their curtains to take a pesky peek. The energy is alive like the feeling you get when you are swimming underwater in a clear blue ocean with colorful fish nibbling at your naked feet, as there is so much to feel healed by on this tremendously fluid effort.

‘How To Be Better‘ from the Glasgow, Scotland-based indie pop act, Brecon Guthrie, is a lovely single from an artist on a mission to move up to a new level in life and leave the past behind. He sings with a meaningful attitude and simmering a souful gaze, as he brightens up the airwaves with this highly enjoyable new single.

Check out this high tempo effort on Soundcloud and see more news via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

KURO has dropped the antipathic industrial hit of the year with ‘Lividity’.

Posted on 10 October 2021

After a bass-dripping slam of an intro, KURO’s latest single, Lividity, asserts its volatility early in the mix before unravelling around poppy industrial hooks and serpentine antipathic vocals. If you’ve been mourning the downfall of Jimmy Urine recently, you’ll find just as much salacious charisma here.

It has been a while since I’ve had my finger on the pulse in the industrial scene, it took the incandescent talent of KURO to draw me back in with their monolithically fierce guitars and the earworm potential in the magnetically antagonistic vocals. Not only is it an instant hit at surface level, but Lividity also serves a deeper purpose. In their own words. here is how Lividity transpired:

“I wrote Lividity in an attempt to capture the discomfort, rage, and volatility felt by ethnic minorities during the tumultuous events of the BLM riots sparked in the wake of 2020’s events as well as the StopAsianHate movement- which was exacerbated by the racial division sadly spurred on by pandemic.
These traumatic happenings seemed to create a black hole of negativity and distrust in society that enabled many in positions of power to engage in horrific behaviour with little consequence at the expense of the vulnerable. The video highlights this. I and we, as a band, wanted to highlight this, raise awareness for it, and hopefully push to make a positive change that could contribute to the ending of these problems. However, to really do so, we all need to come together, and time will tell with that.”

Industrial music and gripping lyricism don’t often go hand in hand; instead of offering a series of thoughtless reprises with the aid of a rhyming dictionary, KURO digs deep into the macabre to exhibit the veracity of contempt behind this instantly infectious harsh electro-rock hit. Frankly, we’re obsessed.

Lividity is the first single to be released from their upcoming EP, Death by Aesthetic, due for release in October 2021. KURO are also set to join the industrial icon, Grendel, on tour. Tickets are available for purchase via Bandcamp.

Connect with Kuro on Facebook & Instagram.

Stream the official video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Artie Ziff have released the ultimate indie post-hardcore anthem, Masquerade

Posted on 24 September 2021

The Scottish alt-indie outfit, Artie Ziff, is the kind of artist that leaves you instantly perplexed at how they fly under so many people’s radars with their ability to organically weave a myriad of genres into their captivatingly high-octane sound. Their latest single, Masquerade, proves that they have exactly what it takes to reach the same heights as Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Bring Me the Horizon or Yungblud as alt-rock pioneers.

The proceedings kick off with a post-punk-style prelude before post-hardcore stylings start to work their way into the anthemically unpredictable hit. If you think The National’s guitars when they kick into sonic overdrive are something, you might want to strap yourselves in for Masquerade that brings just as much to the table vocally. Anyone that never completely grew out of their emo phase should definitely consider Masquerade a playlist staple.

The official video for Masquerade premiered on September 16th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jack Wakeman & The Dreamstriders have cosmically revived 80s pop with ‘Visions’.

Posted on 27 August 2021
Jack Wakeman & The Dreamstriders

Glasgow-based alt-rock artist Jack Wakeman & The Dreamstriders are set to release their 80s-inspired track, Visions, which starts with growling post-punk basslines around glassy synths before evolving into a sonic mash-up of psych, synth pop and indie.

The kooky, hooky choruses pull you into an atmospheric soundscape that practically imparts neon strip light synaesthesia as the up-vibe grooves bring the energy and Wakeman’s vocals spill Bowie-level magnetism.

On the basis of Visions, Wakeman was discernibly influenced by the iconic Manchester sound after he relocated from Doncaster and worked as a bassist for members of New Order and the Fall. In 2020, he relocated to Glasgow and started to assemble an outfit that allowed collaborative chemistry to spill to the tune of his signature ‘apocalyptic optimism’.

Visions will be available to stream from August 27th; you can check it out for yourselves on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Billy Sinclair has released his relatable retro rock track, ‘Gotta Get Away’.

Posted on 20 April 2021

Glasgow hailing solo artist Billy Sinclair shared a sentiment that we have all felt over the winter with his latest single Gotta Get Away. His retro rock vibes emanate the same rhythmic prowess as Springsteen, The Eagles and Generation Terrorists-era Manics; through the simplicity of his soulful sound, you will catch his folk influences that bleed through his intimate vocals and driving guitar riffs.

The clever repetition of the line ‘gotta get away’ increases the sense of desperation for escape, in the same way that the Doors’ single, People Are Strange, hammers home the sense of alienation.

Rarely do you encounter a single that is intimate and sonically powerful. But thanks to Billy Sinclair’s eclectic array of influence and non-assimilative approach to production and instrumentation, he’s offering something that no one else is; his unapologetic self.

Gotta Get Away is now available to stream via Spotify.

Follow Billy Sinclair via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Liquid mind: Victoria Sponge delight the taste buds with excellent party story ‘Talk About Tonight’

Posted on 26 March 2021

Making us all smile broadly with heartfelt advice on when not to have a sneaky shooter, Victoria Sponge enthusiastically funk up these dull days, with their exciting new single called ‘Talk About Tonight‘.

Victoria Sponge are a delicious five-piece indie-rock band from the thirsty hills of Glasgow in beautiful Scotland. They fuse together that busty bass riff greatness that your whole body sways to, as their cheeky charm has you at hello.

”This song is a loving tribute to the world’s unrequited lovers ending their nights out with an ill-advised sambuca shot.”- Victoria Sponge

They pick up your grumpy mood in a flashing instant, as the rumbustious rhythm here is a welcome vaccine bolt to your eager veins, the whole package delivered is incredibly catchy and you feel like this is a band you can’t get enough of. They have fire in their bones and slide behind to bar to take over the whole night with welcoming abandon.

The story about a fun night out rings true, as things are going well and then you stumble, rejection hits and things are not what they were a few moments before. Then, that fleeting moment arrives as you know that you should probably call a cab to call it a night. Great memories were had but now its time to head home, your emotions mixed but still smiling deep down as your head starts to fizzle and the sleepy eyes slowly close after the nights adventures.

‘Talk About Tonight‘ from Glasgow’s Victoria Sponge is a waterfall of wonder through your happy ears, as their honest take on an average night out makes you laugh, makes you cry and makes you want to listen again and again.

Stream this gripping single here on Spotify and see their live show info on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen