If there’s one thing you can expect from a Cian Ducrot concert, it’s to feel everything within the space of about 90 minutes – and that’s exactly what he delivered to a 2,500-strong Scottish crowd as he returned to Glasgow with The Dreamship Tour.
Opening the night was Irish singer Annika Kilkenny, who, without a doubt, has beautiful vocals – one listen to her EP Me in the Mud will tell you that. Unfortunately, with such a delicate voice, she did struggle to cut through the Academy’s sound, which was such a shame, as there’s real magic there.
I’d absolutely love to catch her again, but in a more intimate setting. Honestly, do yourself a favour and look her up – Look Mum I Made It and Out In The Garden are gorgeous tracks.
Annika mentioned this was only her second time in Glasgow, and I’m already hoping for a third… Oran Mor would be perfect for her acoustically.
Before long, an actual carpet was rolled onto the stage, followed by a glowing piano that instantly grabbed everyone’s attention. Moments later, a full band of brass, strings and keys flooded the stage as the opening beats of Who’s Making You Feel It kicked in. From the get-go, the energy was sky-high, rolling straight into Little Dreaming. Cian looked completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, bouncing around the stage and definitely hitting his step count early on. That energy was infectious, and the crowd were right there with him.
Whether you’ve seen Cian live before or not, here’s one thing you should know: this man is seriously talented. And not just vocally. Over the course of the night, he jumped between piano, guitar, flute and harmonica. Honestly, name an instrument, and chances are he played it. This wasn’t just a gig, it was a proper concert.
Grabbing an acoustic guitar, Cian slowed things down for Heaven before launching into Shalalala, a song that completely oozes togetherness. The crowd sang every single word back to him, word for word, and it was one of those moments that just felt really special.
Between songs, Cian spoke about the creation of his second album, Little Dreaming, explaining how he wanted it to feel completely different from Victory. He also casually dropped that a handful of tracks didn’t make the final cut.. which obviously begs the question – bonus album someday?
Cian’s ability to jump between genres, tempos and emotions translated perfectly on stage. Can’t Even Hate You on the piano was a real standout – so much so, you could hear a pin drop in the Academy. I’ll admit, I felt a bit choked up halfway through. It was a powerful reminder of just how captivating he can be in those stripped-back moments.
And honestly, there’s no crowd like a Scottish crowd – I’ll always stand by that. When Cian revealed that Glasgow was the first show of the tour to sell out, and that his guitarist was Scottish, the place erupted into chants of “No Scotland No Party”, with the band quickly joining in.
With Christmas just around the corner, Cian decided to give something back with Cian’s Christmas, surprising two fans in the crowd as a thank-you for their support. It was such a sweet, thoughtful moment. Truly, what a wee angel.
From start to finish, Cian delivered a performance and a half – including a phone-free performance of All For You, which felt incredibly rare and genuinely beautiful. Seeing an entire room fully present, no screens in sight, was something special.
Part of Me, Your Eyes, and See It To Believe It really showcased just how tight and talented the band are – absolutely on top form all night.
After a brief exit, Cian and the band returned in full festive spirit with a cover of Fairytale of New York, before closing the night with the iconic I’ll Be Waiting. Goosebumps, honestly.
Cian Ducrot is nothing short of a superstar. The talent he brings to your headphones, the stage, and the industry as a whole is undeniable – and if you ever get the chance to see him live, don’t sleep on it. Truly phenomenal.
Review by Lauren Page
Photographs by Lynsey Wyllie
