Night two of Scottish Honky Tonk saw Scottish-Nashville star Callum Kerr sell out Glasgow’s The Garage, proving once again that hometown support runs deep. Originally scheduled for Òran Mór, the show was upgraded after Kerr sold an additional 200 tickets, with the final few snapped up just hours before doors opened, a clear sign that local fans never miss the chance to support one of their own.
For many in attendance, myself included, this marked the final gig of 2025, and the vibes were high from the outset. The bar was busy from doors opening – exactly what you’d expect from a Glasgow crowd ready for a proper country night.
Opening the evening were The Getaway, a duo I’ve had my eye on for some time. Made up of Ryan and Jamie, the pair only launched the band a few months ago, yet have already made serious waves online. Their debut single My Girl, which the Garage crowd went off for, dropped at the start of November and has already racked up over 40,000 streams in just six weeks. A crowd-pleasing cover of Lonestar’s Amazed had the entire venue singing along from start to finish. If this short set is anything to go by, 2026 is going to be a huge year for The Getaway – get following them now if you’re not already.
Monday night also featured not one, but two additional support acts, with Nashville-based artists Brock Butler and John Haywood taking to the stage. John had treated audiences to a writers’ round the previous evening at Saint Luke’s while supporting Scottish artist Chris Andreucci, but seeing him command a main-stage crowd only amplified his talent. There’s something special about welcoming Nashville artists across the pond – musicians who have truly lived and breathed the stories behind the country songs we know and love. Watching Brock and John win over a rowdy Glasgow crowd with such ease was nothing short of incredible. With Brock having written alongside artists including Tim McGraw and Megan Moroney, the calibre of songwriting translated effortlessly to the live setting. Glasgow truly brought the States to its doorstep – and we need more of these sets.
It wasn’t long before the main man of the night took to the stage. This marked Callum Kerr’s first-ever headline show in Glasgow, and judging by the packed venue, it was long overdue. Launching into Cold Beer Cold and It Ain’t Working, alongside covers of What Was I Thinkin’ and Who’s Your Daddy, the crowd were fully locked in just four songs deep – drinks in hand, singing every word.
Kerr took a moment to reflect on returning home, telling the crowd that Scotland will always be home for him. “I was always acting, music wasn’t my main job, so to come back and play to a crowd this big is so special.”
With Kerr’s growing discography, the setlist offered a well-balanced mix of originals, covers, collaborations and even soundtrack moments from TV, including Monarch, which he recently starred in. A standout moment came with an acoustic rendition of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine. Played with total precision, the venue fell completely silent – you truly could hear a pin drop. The moment ended with Callum and the band raising a shot of whisky in true Scottish style.
Whether you were a long-time fan or discovering Kerr’s music for the first time, the setlist was curated to cater to everyone. From debut track Tequila Therapy through to newer releases like Whatever Gets You There – which Callum jokingly warned his parents to skip due to its cheekier lyrics – the crowd was hooked throughout.
Mid-set highlights included Silver Linings and If I Could Buy This Town, before the tempo slowed for You Fix Me and Ain’t It Something. Callum then welcomed Chris Andreucci to the stage for Tamed by Tennessee, a special moment for fans who had attended both artists’ shows across the weekend. It was a wholesome reminder of the growing Scottish country scene and the pride surrounding both artists’ success overseas – they’re absolutely smashing it.
The night closed out with All Out of Me, Ain’t That the Truth, Country No More and, of course, Caledonia. My personal highlight came during Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, a nod to Toby Keith that had all 700 fans chanting every word in unison.
Following a quick encore, Used to Love This Town brought the evening to a close – though it was one of those gigs you never want to end. Seeing a packed venue for Scottish artists is always something special. There’s no crowd like a local crowd, and witnessing the success Callum Kerr has built overseas only makes it sweeter. With a voice like that, I’ll be keeping a close eye on when the next tour date drops.
Review by Lauren Page
Photographs by Lynsey Wyllie
