As December Falls are the talk of the alternative scene right now, tearing through the UK in support of their explosive new album ‘Everything’s on Fire but I’m Fine’. Their monumental headline tour came to a triumphant close last night in Glasgow — and what a finale it was.
The Garage’s main hall holds around 650 and was packed to bursting, with the queue snaking down Sauchiehall Street long before doors opened at 7pm. Inside, the atmosphere was electric — equal parts anticipation and excitement. Even the merch stand was besieged by eager fans desperate to snap up the last remnants of tour stock.
Joining the Nottingham pop-rockers for the final night were the formidable RedHook and the ever-dynamic THE HARA — both having earned rave reviews throughout the tour.
Opening the evening were Australian powerhouse RedHook, and what an opening it was.
Few bands could hope to ignite a Glasgow crowd quite so effectively. Their stagecraft was nothing short of mesmerizing — a whirlwind of precision and chaos in equal measure.
Lead singer Emmy Mack was a revelation. Starting out cloaked in a rapper’s swagger before shedding layers to reveal a striking red bodysuit and baggy trousers combo, she embodied the band’s hybrid aesthetic — punk energy with pop sensibility and a pinch of theatrical flair.
Her constant movement and infectious enthusiasm sent waves of energy rippling through the audience, each track further fueling the frenzy.
At one point, a saxophone solo cut through chaos, accompanied by a bubble machine spewing a ridiculous (and wonderful) quantity of bubbles. It was absurd, unexpected, and utterly brilliant. RedHook are not just a band; they are an experience — one you will want to witness before they inevitably explode onto much larger stages.
Next to command the stage was Manchester trio THE HARA, who immediately plunged the room into darkness and anticipation. As the atmospheric intro built, guitarist Josh Breen and drummer Jack Kennedy took their places, while lead singer Josh Taylor emerged from the shadows like a rock ‘n’ roll antihero — clad in a black hooded cape and leather trousers, complete with a studded belt.
Once the cape hit the floor, Taylor revealed a torso almost entirely covered in tattoos, each movement punctuated with conviction and charisma.
His energy was magnetic, his confidence absolute. THE HARA sustained the night’s frenetic momentum effortlessly — even their so-called “slow” number pulsed with intensity.
Taylor twice threw himself into the crowd, one dive resulting in a chaotic but good-natured surf over the pit — though the security team looked somewhat less enthused. Later, he entered a mosh circle which erupted on his command, with fans gleefully hurling themselves into the melee.
THE HARA’s performance was the definition of controlled chaos — polished, enthusiastic, and utterly unrelenting.
And then, it was time.
The lights dimmed, and the Mad Squad — the evening’s formidable specialist pit security team — took their positions, bracing for the inevitable crowd-surfing and mosh-pit madness synonymous with As December Falls.
Under a single spotlight, Bethany Hunter stood alone, blue hair glowing faintly in the dark as she whispered the haunting opening lines of ‘Burn It All Down’.
The quiet did not last. Within moments, the rest of the band crashed into ‘Everything’s on Fire but I’m Fine’, and the night truly erupted.
Tour finales can sometimes feel weary, the exhaustion of weeks on the road taking its toll. Not here. As December Falls were a sonic hurricane — kinetic, defiant, and utterly unstoppable. Their boundless energy was contagious, the crowd responding in kind with circle pits, crowd surfing, and deafening singalongs.
Tracks like ‘Grim Reaper’, Fall Apart’ and ‘Angry Cry’ hit like anthems, cathartic releases for both band and audience. Despite the darker titles, this was no descent into gloom — it was a celebration: of belonging, of expression, of pure, unfiltered joy.
As the final notes of ‘Therapy’ rang out, bands and fans alike were drenched in sweat and elation. The Garage was transformed into a jubilant scene of shared exhaustion — a fitting end to a tour that has cemented As December Falls as one of the UK’s most exhilarating live acts.
The Mad Squad looked relieved but let us be honest — they were loving it too.
With tours and venues growing in scale, one thing is for certain: next time As December Falls hit Glasgow, it will not be in a club this size. And when they do return, they will be welcomed like conquering heroes.
Review & Photographs by John Brown Photography
