Tonight was a memorable evening as fans gathered outside the legendary Barrowland Ballroom to watch an extraordinary Scottish performer make his dreams come true. Despite the damp city air, eager concertgoers queued early to secure the best spots in the venue. The night was further enlivened by stellar support from Abbie Gordon and Brodie Barclay.
Abbie Gordon is a dynamic two-piece act fronted by a powerhouse female vocalist, backed by a versatile musician on keys and guitar. Their catchy, relationship-driven songs showcase Abbie’s superb voice and commanding stage presence. Highlights include an acoustic ballad about being passed over, a heavy-metal-tinged anthem, and “The Ruler,” one of Abbie’s earliest compositions. Their debut single, “Hot Lips,” confirms their knack for memorable hooks. All in all, a stellar performance.
Solo artist Broadie Barclay, who hails from Scotland, recently spent time in London pursuing his musical dream alongside his manager and record label. He kicked off his set with “I Apologise,” sparking the crowd to chant “No Scotland, no party.” After that high-energy opener, he revisited one of his earlier tracks, “Crumbling,” which he plans to re-record for an upcoming release. Barclay’s powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics – drawn from his own life experiences – resonate throughout each song, and his effortless rapport with the audience makes every performance feel personal and engaging.
Broady’s latest set at Barrowland Basecamp was met with a fantastic reception. He opened with tracks from his new EP, including a powerful song about relationships whose thoughtful lyrics really stick with you.
He’s booked to play King Tut’s on January 29th for his first headline show – he even invited the audience to join him onstage. Midway through, he introduced “Sweet,” a playful tune inspired by his lactose intolerance, complete with a catchy chorus and memorable melody.
To close, he performed “Reverse Cowboy,” the title track of his recent EP, which the crowd had been eagerly anticipating. All in all, Broady delivered a stellar performance that’s definitely worth checking out.
When the house lights dimmed, anticipation rippled through the crowd at the storied venue. Introduction music swelled as each band member strode onto the stage one by one; the towering door-screen backdrop turned to white light behind them. Then, in that electric moment, Calum Bowie appeared – his face glowing with excitement as he stepped into the spotlight.
The band opened with “We Are a River,” and Calum’s voice was flawless. As the last notes faded, he admitted how moved he was by the size of the crowd. Just two years ago, he recalled, he was playing at King Tut’s – and now here he was, performing for 2,000 people in this legendary venue.
You could see it in Calum’s wide smile as he looked out over the Barrowland crowd – he was finally living his dream. He kicked off with energetic renditions of “Sunset Town,” “Take Me Home” and “Lost.” Then he unveiled his newest single, “Sliding Doors,” which dropped just last Friday. The moment he mentioned it, the audience erupted, singing along and jumping to every beat.
Calum’s set ignited the crowd – kids and grandparents alike – sparking impromptu sing-alongs, dancing, and pure exhilaration. When he launched into his dazzling take on Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtybag,” the excitement reached fever pitch. The entire venue buzzed with electricity as fans and bandmates alike soaked up every unforgettable second of the show.
Calum closed out his set in grand style, igniting the audience into a full-blown sing-along and dance party with “Your Anthem” and “Time That I Can Borrow.” That night at the storied venue felt less like a mere performance and more like a collective takeover of the stage – an electric exchange both he and his fans recognised as truly special. After delivering the uplifting “Dancing in the Sun,” he briefly stepped off, but the charged atmosphere left the crowd certain an encore was imminent as everyone waited for him to come back and play just a few more songs.
Before long, Calum returned to the stage for a rousing rendition of “Dream Of My Own” – bagpipes blazing and the crowd electrified. He paused to thank every fan for their support and for making the evening truly memorable, then closed out the set with the poignant “Love Lost.” As the final chords drifted away, Calum and his band took a bow, offering heartfelt gratitude to everyone in attendance.
Tonight was a true honour: we witnessed a talented songwriter and performer bring a long-held dream to fruition. Calum Bowie’s journey shows that when you chase your passions, you really can turn them into reality. If you haven’t yet, give his music a listen – his powerful vocals and introspective lyrics turn every track into an unforgettable experience.
Review & Photographs by James Edmond Photography
