Latest news with #ArabStrap
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The most miserable night for Glasgow's most miserable band? Count me in
YOU might associate summer music festivals with sunshine, cocktails and "sound of the summer" type pop tunes. Walking up to Arab Strap's headline show at Queen's Park Arena, Glasgow, on Friday night can't be further from that image. In pouring July rain, the punters brave enough to venture to this outdoor gig stomp around the festival grounds in walking boots and Munro-ready waterproof coats, trying desperately to stop the rain from watering down their plastic-cupped pints. Even frontman Aidan Moffat seems surprised that there's a sizeable crowd standing in front of him on what may well be the bleakest day of summer 2025. "I live nearby," he tells us. "And I wouldn't have come out tonight." (Image: NQ) But, and I ask this with all sincerity: Is there any better way of enjoying an Arab Strap show? The frankly miserable surroundings are the perfect atmospheric accompaniment to Glasgow's most miserable band. Opening with Allatonceness, a banger track from their most recent album "I'm Totally Fine with It Don't Give a Fuck Anymore", the deep, rich sounds are exactly what I need. The band sounds incredible, with the keys and synths particularly audible and hitting hard. At previous Strap shows, the prioritisation of guitars in the mix has covered up those more melodic notes. Tonight, it's brilliant. Dare I say it – maybe even preferable to the recorded versions. The band roll through plenty tracks from the most recent release, but get the crowd hyped up with the older cuts. Moffat also sounds most passionate on those. New Birds, from Philophobia of 1998, stands out. The crowd is silent as Moffat recites those devastating, poetic lines about reconnecting with a former lover years later. READ MORE: It is a moving moment when Moffat dedicates the anthemic Shy Retirer to Keith McIver of Optimo, who announced last week that he has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. The frontman reveals that lyrics in the song about the "c***ed circus" are all about going out partying at Optimo shows, and the audience claps approvingly for the iconic DJ. Returning for an encore, there is a huge cheer for the ever-popular Girls of Summer. That brilliant post-punk section seems to go on forever in the best way possible. Those repetitive synth notes. Fantastic. Bringing things to an end, Moffat says: "Something's in the air tonight ... are there any questions?" The crowd roars for an oldie and shout out their requests, before Moffat and co treat us to a few final tunes as all the light of the evening fades away. It is a great show, and the turnout in this legitimately horrible weather is a testament to Arab Strap's icon status in the Glasgow music scene. See them yourself, whenever you can. There are more shows in the Glasgow Big Nights Out series coming up, including Yard Act and Geordie Greep. Find out more here
The National
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
REVIEW: A perfectly miserable night with Glasgow's most miserable band
Walking up to Arab Strap's headline show at Queen's Park Arena, Glasgow, on Friday night can't be further from that image. In pouring July rain, the punters brave enough to venture to this outdoor gig stomp around the festival grounds in walking boots and Munro-ready waterproof coats, trying desperately to stop the rain from watering down their plastic-cupped pints. Even frontman Aidan Moffat seems surprised that there's a sizeable crowd standing in front of him on what may well be the bleakest day of summer 2025. "I live nearby," he tells us. "And I wouldn't have come out tonight." (Image: NQ) But, and I ask this with all sincerity: Is there any better way of enjoying an Arab Strap show? The frankly miserable surroundings are the perfect atmospheric accompaniment to Glasgow's most miserable band. Opening with Allatonceness, a banger track from their most recent album "I'm Totally Fine with It Don't Give a Fuck Anymore", the deep, rich sounds are exactly what I need. The band sounds incredible, with the keys and synths particularly audible and hitting hard. At previous Strap shows, the prioritisation of guitars in the mix has covered up those more melodic notes. Tonight, it's brilliant. Dare I say it – maybe even preferable to the recorded versions. The band roll through plenty tracks from the most recent release, but get the crowd hyped up with the older cuts. Moffat also sounds most passionate on those. New Birds, from Philophobia of 1998, stands out. The crowd is silent as Moffat recites those devastating, poetic lines about reconnecting with a former lover years later. READ MORE: Arab Strap on Kneecap, free speech and gigging in Glasgow It is a moving moment when Moffat dedicates the anthemic Shy Retirer to Keith McIver of Optimo, who announced last week that he has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. The frontman reveals that lyrics in the song about the "c***ed circus" are all about going out partying at Optimo shows, and the audience claps approvingly for the iconic DJ. Returning for an encore, there is a huge cheer for the ever-popular Girls of Summer. That brilliant post-punk section seems to go on forever in the best way possible. Those repetitive synth notes. Fantastic. Bringing things to an end, Moffat says: "Something's in the air tonight ... are there any questions?" The crowd roars for an oldie and shout out their requests, before Moffat and co treat us to a few final tunes as all the light of the evening fades away. It is a great show, and the turnout in this legitimately horrible weather is a testament to Arab Strap's icon status in the Glasgow music scene. See them yourself, whenever you can. There are more shows in the Glasgow Big Nights Out series coming up, including Yard Act and Geordie Greep. Find out more here
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Pop duo Oh Wonder coming to Glasgow's Saint Luke's
Oh Wonder, famous for tunes like All We Do and Without You, are set to perform at Saint Luke's in the city's East End. The show, which will take place on Thursday, October 16, will celebrate 10 years since the release of Oh Wonder's self-titled debut album. The band consists of Anthony Vander West and Josephine Vander West, who got married in 2021 and are based in London. READ NEXT: 'Woooooweeeee': Popular country star to perform in Glasgow as part of upcoming tour Taking to Instagram, the pair said they are bringing a grand piano with them on their upcoming tour. They added: "We can't wait to see you." READ NEXT: 'Long time coming': Arab Strap share excitement for first arena show in Glasgow Tickets for the show will go live at 10am on July 4. Pre-sale tickets are also available from 10am on July 3. To purchase tickets, or to sign up for pre-sale, visit
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Willow Avalon to perform at SWG3 in Glasgow West End
Willow Avalon, best known for songs like Tequila or Whiskey and Homewrecker, will be performing at SWG3 on February 26, 2026. The show follows the release of her debut album, Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, which came out in January of this year. READ NEXT: 'Long time coming': Arab Strap share excitement for first arena show in Glasgow Originally from Georgia and now based in Nashville, Willow rose to fame after independently releasing her debut single Drivin' in 2021 which quickly led to a deal with Atlantic Records/Assemble Sound in 2023 and the release of her EP Stranger in 2024. She has went on to perform on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and CBS Mornings, as well as festivals like Hangout and Lollapolooza. And, she has even shared stages with legends like Zach Bryan, Bob Dylan and Cage the Elephant. READ NEXT: I visited the new dinosaur attraction near Glasgow - my verdict Tickets for the upcoming show will go live on July 4 at 10am. To purchase tickets, visit
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Arab Strap share excitement for first arena show in Glasgow
Set to perform at the Queen's Park Arena (QPA) on Friday, July 4, the Falkirk lads say the opportunity has been a long time coming. Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Malcolm Middleton said: 'This is our first arena gig. It's a long time coming but we're ready, it'll be good.' (Image: Left to right: Aidan and Malcom. Picture taken by Kat Gollock.) Having performed in Glasgow many times before, the pair opened up about their eagerness to return. Aidan Moffat said: 'Glasgow is always fun and it's a very dear place in our hearts. We have a long-running connection with the city. I'm looking forward to it, it'll be good fun.' He added: 'Glasgow is our default hometown gig, because no one really performs in Falkirk — we didn't, anyway. 'There's always a great reaction in Glasgow, like when we play at the Barrowlands. We can recapture that at the QPA by putting some wee stars on the ceiling.' (Image: Picture taken by Kat Gollock.) READ NEXT: I visited the new dinosaur attraction near Glasgow - my verdict Aidan – who has lived in Glasgow for 26 years – and Malcolm, who lives in Edinburgh, will likely be performing a mix of old and new tunes at the Glasgow show. Having admitted that they hadn't finished the setlist yet, they were certain they wanted to take attendees on a journey from past to present. Aidan said: 'We're focused on the newer songs as well as the popular old ones. We also want to play some obscure tracks that only a few people will know.' Malcolm agreed, saying: 'It's nice when you are doing an outdoor summer gig to chuck in some 30-year-old B-side too.' He continued: 'It'll be classic songs from our past and some new ones too – specifically ones from the last few albums which we feel are the most exciting. Before our recent two albums, we spent a lot of time touring older songs, so this tour will be more of a mix.' (Image: Picture taken by Kat Gollock.) As next year marks 30 years of Arab Strap, the pair have already set plans in motion to celebrate. 'We're working on new material and are planning shows to celebrate our anniversary,' Aidan said before Malcolm jokingly added: 'We're going to celebrate being really old and still doing this.' Despite making music, both together and via solo projects, for years, the pair have found their love for it has never wavered. If anything, it has grown. Malcolm said: 'I enjoy the music more now than I did then. Back in the day, it was more about going on tour and having fun. But with age, we have thought about the music more and how to actually be good as Arab Strap.' Aidan added: 'I enjoy playing the music and making it as much as I have. The business side of it and the complications which come with the music industry are insane though. 'People always want to pay artists less, and recording music — both financially and culturally — is so different now. People's attitudes towards music has changed with streaming culture too.' READ NEXT: Glasgow Times' Wee Red Book 2025 is back - here's when it goes on sale Also commenting on the changing nature of the music industry, Malcolm added: 'There are so many platforms now and people have to be influencers or content creators to get their music heard. If you weren't brought up like that, you just did music because you like music. But now it seems people have to be both musicians and content creators.' Tickets for the show are still available to purchase. For tickets, visit
