There’s a wealth of urban festivals across the UK and Stag and Dagger takes a respected place in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre. With a diverse range of venues large and small all within a few minutes walk of each other, the line up is strong enough to mean that you have to discard some pretty good artists to see your top choices.
Self labelled ‘Glasgow born council punks’ The Dunts set a high standard for a very young band. With a clearly dedicated following, it’s great to see so much energy and support for a back to basics set with every lyric sung along to and plenty of crowd participation.
Following them at The Garage G2, Dama Scout bring a much more mellow atmosphere with their wistful brand of shoegaze and clever switches of instruments.
Moving along Sauchiehall Street to the biggest venue, the O2 ABC is host to Manchester’s The Slow Readers Club, who bring an army of supporters wherever they go, evident by the established chants of ‘Readers! Readers!’ They will no doubt have picked up some new fans too on this stop off on their tour to promote their new album Build A Tower.
For many, the highlight of the festival must have been the return of Glasvegas celebrating 10 years since the release of their debut self titled album. The band play through the album track by track and the audience is split between cheers and tears; emotional indeed and it sounds immense. A tough act to follow until you consider what’s waiting just around the corner…
In a complete antidote, back at G2 Pulled Apart By Horses are tearing things up as they always do; impossible not to come away smiling as Tom jumps from the stage to play in the middle of the mosh pit – a solid inclusion for any festival.
Last up, an early hours visit to Broadcast to a packed basement for revered locals Dale Barclay and Laura St Jude. Playing with and to friends and fans alike, there are songs from each of their projects providing the most intense performance of the night. It feels like a fitting way to close; a lot of love and fierce support in the room showing Glasgow in the glowing light it deserves.
Review & Photography by Siobhan O’Driscoll: 16beasleystphotography.com
