The HOWL anniversary tour’s opening night landed in Glasgow, and it’s hard to imagine a city better suited to launch such a momentous occasion. On a brisk evening, clusters of fans – bundled against the chill – buzzed with anticipation outside the venue, their excitement palpable as the doors finally swung open. Tonight’s show marked two decades since the release of HOWL, and the throng spilling into the hall was a vibrant cross-section of generations, each one a testament to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s enduring appeal and loyal following.
The evening’s opening act, The Night Beats – veteran collaborators with Robert Levon Been – delivered a captivating set. Their intoxicating blend of psychedelic and garage rock, seasoned with evocative lyrics and blistering guitar solos, enveloped the room, transporting listeners into their singular sonic universe. The highlight arrived when Robert himself joined them onstage for a searing rendition of “That’s All You Got,” igniting a wave of applause that thundered through the crowd.
After tonight’s performance, it’s clear I’ll be delving deeper into The Night Beats’ discography – there’s an undeniable magic in their chemistry. The trio, featuring Danny Rajan Billingsley on guitar and vocals, Kyrone Oak on bass, and Chris Scott on drums, executed a set that set a high bar for the rest of the night.
As the house lights gradually dimmed, a ripple of expectation coursed through the audience – the moment everyone had been waiting for was finally at hand. The O2 Academy crackled with energy as fans pressed forward, drawn toward the stage by sheer excitement. The venue plunged into darkness, setting the stage for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s entrance, poised to deliver a night destined to linger in memory.
Peter Hayes was first to emerge, his sole companion an acoustic guitar, and it became immediately clear the band had prepared something extraordinary. Rather than launching into their trademark high-octane set, Hayes’s stripped-down, intimate approach signalled an evening set apart – one focused on raw emotion and a refreshing departure from the expected.
The lights blinked out, plunging the hall into deep shadow, and for a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then, cutting through, Hayes’s guitar rang with the opening chords of “Devil’s Waitin’.” The unmistakable riff reverberated across the venue, sending a jolt through longtime fans – this was a celebrated rarity that had vanished from the setlist for years. As Hayes’s voice – gravelly, urgent, achingly present – rose above the hush, the crowd erupted, cheers reverberating like distant thunder. In that moment, the band reclaimed a cherished piece of their history, reminding all why “Devil’s Waitin’” had remained such an enduring fan favourite.
If you were expecting a blinding light show, you’d be mistaken. For most of the 22-song set, the stage remained shrouded in smoky reds and purples, broken only by three muted spotlights beaming out over the audience and the occasional narrow shaft illuminating the musicians’ silhouettes. The darkness was deliberate – a hallmark of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s devotion to atmosphere over spectacle. The minimal lighting fostered a sense of intimacy and reverence, transforming the concert into an immersive, almost spiritual experience.
The setlist itself was a treasure trove for the devoted, rife with deep cuts and seldom-heard gems. Around me, dedicated fans buzzed with excitement over the inclusion of tracks like “Howl” and “Restless Sinner” – songs rarely performed in recent years. Each time one of these unexpected selections surfaced, the crowd’s response was electric.
Musically, the band was on fire. Leah Shapiro’s masterful drumming drove each song forward with relentless precision, while the interplay between Hayes’s guitar and Been’s bass conjured the dense, hypnotic soundscapes that have become Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s signature. Waves of effects and reverb washed over the audience, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in modern rock.
The concert reached its apex with “Red Eyes and Tears.” The room detonated in excitement – the collective anticipation palpable as Hayes and Been traded vocals and Shapiro’s drums pulsed with primal force, making the very foundation of the venue tremble.
Following the song, in a rare moment of levity, Been took to the mic and ribbed Hayes over a minor misstep. “Man, we’ve been playing that song almost 25 years and now you decide to mess it up,” he joked, drawing laughter from every corner of the room. Hayes, characteristically stoic, remained unfazed, his enigmatic presence – so central to the band’s mystique – intact.
Other than that single exchange, the band kept conversation to a minimum, letting their music do the talking. True to their ethos, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club isn’t interested in banter – they’re here to conjure an atmosphere, to envelop the crowd in sound.
What a night. Songs like “Whatever Happened to My Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Beat the Devil’s Tattoo” underscored why BRMC have remained essential since the early days of the garage-rock revival. These aren’t just crowd-pleasers – they’re declarations, uncompromising statements from a band that’s never lost sight of its artistic convictions.
The evening drew to a close with “Shadow’s Keeper” and “Open Invitation,” leaving the crowd satisfied yet craving more. That’s the unique effect of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – they offer everything and nothing at once, lingering on in the mind long after the final notes have faded.
Launching their UK tour in spectacular fashion, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club delivered a show that exceeded every expectation. In peak form, they turned the anniversary of HOWL into an unforgettable celebration. Glasgow was left thoroughly shaken – a night that will surely echo in the memories of all who were fortunate enough to witness it.
Review Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
