Back for their fourth Scottish, and arguably best show yet, 49 Winchester took over the O2 Academy in Glasgow for a night of true Appalachian country music – bringing along one of the most exciting acts on the scene – Wyatt Flores.
Despite a slight technical hiccup, meaning that Wyatt’s and his band’s mics and guitars were off, most artists would just cut short their set – but not Flores – he walked to the front of the stage and delivered a pitch-perfect acoustic rendition of Welcome to the Plains. The Academy has a capacity of 2,500 people, and you could hear a pin drop when Wyatt sang. It was such a special moment, and what a way to start a show.
Wyatts personality you just want to bottle up – chatting through the backstories of his songs with a cheeky anecdote here and there – we were locked in for the entirety of the set and a 12 song setlist strong with When I Die, Please Don’t Go, Orange Bottles and my favourite Oh Susannah which had the crowd ROARING – its always nice when the opening act comes on early and the venue is already packed. Also, shoutout to The Fray, whose How to Save a Life is now no longer their song – Wyatt covered it and I think by law… now owns it? Incredible!
Now, 49 Winchester has amassed a following and a half this side of the pond. Isaac and team took to the stage ready to have the heart of Glasgow in the palm of their hand.
Kicking it off with Tulsa and Chemistry, Isaac revealed there are a lot of songs on this tour the guys hadn’t played in a long time – which you know what, I love that – a band that acknowledges not everyone is here for the same album and they’re mixing it up Hays, Kansas – which Isaac wrote when he first went to LA – and hated it, Damn’ Darlin’, Last Call and two songs I never thought I’d see live.. Fool Hearted and VERUCA SALT.
GUYS, WE WON. WE SAW VERUCA SALT LIVE!
Throughout the set, the band jammed away, a level of talent you cannot replicate anywhere else. The vocals, the authenticity, the show. An absolute show.
“There’s always a competition between Glasgow and Belfast for the rowdiest crowd”. Absolutely no surprise there, we love a good.
Despite not hearing Annabel live, we were treated to Yearnin’ For You, Bringing Home the Bacon, Pardon Me, Russell County Line – which had the venue chanting back every word, and Anchor just had everyone in absolute silence. Honestly, Isaac Gibson, what a voice.
I was lucky enough to catch 49 Winchester when they supported Luke Combs, and then when they returned for a headline gig at SWG3, followed by C2C mainstage this year and let me tell you this. They get better and better every time – the way this band captivates an audience and delivers one of the most engaging concerts I’ve ever been to is nothing short of spectacular.
Looking around the venue, there was a spectrum of ages, and I love that – people here for just good old-fashioned country music.
After a quick encore, the band returned to Hillbilly Happy, and there’s one thing with the O2 Academy, when people jump – the floor bounces – and this song, rounding off the whole show – wow. What an atmosphere.
There’s just something about 49 Winchester that hearing them live and seeing them live is the most hypnotic and immersive concert experience you’ll have – 4th time in Glasgow, and the best so far – it’s only been 7 months since they were last here. Can they come back in the next 6, please?
10/10 5 stars – incredible
Review by Lauren Page
Photographs by Lynsey Wyllie
