Is there a better way to spend a bank holiday Sunday than at a concert in Glasgow’s legendary Cathouse rock club? The vibrant venue is a top destination for fans of rock and alternative music, with a rich history of hosting iconic acts such as Oasis, Queens of the Stone Age and Bring Me the Horizon. Last Saturday, indie-punk band SOAP, joined by support act Reece Bibby, took t the stage, aiming to earn their place amongst these musical heavyweights.
Hailing from England, SOAP has been crafting their unique sound for over 6 years. Fuelled by a clear passion for music and emotional authenticity, the group has built a staggering social media following, particularly on Tik Tok where their fanbase is sitting at 578 thousand followers and continues to grow. This has lead to wider recognition in the media, even catching the attention of the Grammy’s. It is safe to say that SOAP is clearly on the rise and one to watch.
Despite their growing success, it’s only recently that Glasgow’s indie scene began to take real notice. Speaking with fans outside the venue, Aoife Atkin and Tamlyn Galloway shared that they had only discovered the band after seeing them support pop-rock group The Vamps last October. So it came as no surprise that on Saturday night, Union Street was lined with eager fans awaiting entry.
Inside, there was a low buzz humming over the crowd as anticipation grew. Then, as if summoned by the crowd’s excitement, Reece Bibby stepped onto the stage to an eruption of cheers. His set, though brief, was deeply affecting. With just three songs, isolated vocals and an acoustic guitar, Bibby delivered a raw and heartfelt performance that needed no flairs or gimmicks. His opening performance set the tone for the rest of the night as being a celebration of simplicity, sincerity and emotional depth music can evoke. Reminding the crowd that sometimes less is truly more.
Shortly after Bibby’s set, SOAP bounded onto the stage, brimming with excitement for the night ahead. Their original track “All I need (and more)” made for an electric opener, driven by punchy electric guitar riffs and pounding drum beats. Frontman Ryan Lofthouse commanded the stage with his undeniable presence that oozed confidence, eagerly shouting out to the crowd “Glasgow! How we feeling?”, instantly forging a connection between band and audience.
The band’s unmistakable energy and passion carried through the rest of the set, elevating fan-favourite tracks like “Better than Me”, a late addition to the Indoor Sports tour setlist that was only announced on Monday, much to the crowd’s delight. The audience’s admiration only grew when the band invited them to take an active role in shaping the set list, asking them to choose between songs “Bad mood” and “Lets start a cult”. The response was overwhelming, with the crowd enthusiastically voting for “Bad Mood”. In addition to their connection with the audience, the brotherhood between the four band members was equally evident; reflected in their uniform and consistent sound throughout the set. This unity transgressed through even the band’s covers of “Good Luck Babe!” by Chappel Roan and “SOS” by ABBA.
To conclude the night, the band played a track from their upcoming EP, “Post-sex ping pong”, a standout moment from the night that resonated deeply with fans Paul Burns and Kian McNelis, who praised it’s compositional value. Burns, an avid drummer, remarked that the band’s punchy drum lines “added intensity their music when needed, but also subdued and became a quiet foundation that provided sonic versatility.”, a thoughtful and in depth perspective from a fellow musician.
Overall, Saturday night’s performance highlighted the sonic expertise and emotional depth of both acts. It’s clear that both SOAP and Reece Bibby are forces to be reckoned with, and if this show is any indication, they’re well on their way to making a major impact on the music industry.
Review by Rachel Bissett
