On a chilly night in Glasgow, The Courteeners’ Pink Cactus Café tour makes its stop at the OVO Hydro. With an impressive lineup of supporting acts, the evening promises to be unforgettable. Fans are arriving early to catch performances by The Mystery Jets and the DNA’s.
The Mystery Jets kicked off the show, captivating both longtime and new fans in Glasgow with an impressive set that included several classic hits, much to the crowd’s delight. They began with “Pretty Drone,” a standout track from their latest album, *A Billion Heartbeats*. Fronted by the exceptional vocals of Blaine Harrison, the band truly engaged the audience in Glasgow.
The performance featured a collection of the band’s greatest hits, thrilling both long-time followers and newcomers who experienced these popular tracks live for the first time. It served as a fantastic primer on the band, with standout performances of “September Song,” “Young Love,” and the outstanding “Bubblegum.” The band appeared to relish their performance, concluding with “Someone Purer” from their 2012 “Radlands” album, which still resonates as powerfully as it did upon its debut. As they bid farewell to Glasgow, the band was met with enthusiastic applause from the local audience.
The DMA’s, no strangers to Glasgow, were warmly greeted by the local crowd as they stepped onto the stage. They kicked off their set with “Play It Down” from their debut album, “Hills End,” to an enthusiastic reception. The atmosphere was so electric, one might have mistaken it for a DMA’s headline concert, given the audience’s fervent participation. Johnny Took addressed the crowd, expressing his delight at returning, noting that it had been about 11 months since their last visit.
The band, a blend of both classic and fresh elements, ignited the crowd when Tommy O’Dell inquired if they were ready to sing along. They performed the standout track “Silver” from their album “The Glow,” showcasing their exceptional form. Highlights of their performance included songs like “Your Low,” “Delete,” “Olympia,” and the crowd favorite “Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s the Weekend.” The atmosphere in Glasgow was electric, with fans hoisting each other on their shoulders for a better view, and the volume was exactly what you’d expect from a headline act. Given the enthusiastic response from the Glasgow crowd, it won’t be long before DMA’s headline this venue by themselves.
The group concluded their performance with “Lay Down” from their first album, “Hills End,” which was released in 2016. They delivered an impeccable performance of their last song. As Tom bid farewell to the crowd in Glasgow, the band carried on with an instrumental finale, wrapping up their set. It was a memorable evening for the band as they departed the OVO Hydro stage to an enthusiastic response from both longtime and new fans in Glasgow.
The moment had arrived for The Courteeners from Manchester to step into the spotlight. As the arena dimmed, the introductory strains of Oasis’s “What’s the Story Morning Glory” filled the air, instantly getting the crowd to join in with the singing. The atmosphere was further electrified when a lone piper appeared, playing “Flower of Scotland,” which also had the audience enthusiastically singing along, setting the stage perfectly. The excitement peaked as Liam Fray, the band’s frontman, made his appearance, followed by band members Daniel Moores, Michael Campbell, Joe Cross, and Elina Lin. The roaring reception they received made it clear that Glasgow was all set for a memorable night with The Courteeners.
The band kicked off the concert with “Sweet Surrender” from their latest album, which usually features Brooke Combe, but tonight it was just the band members themselves. It was an ideal opening, with Liam energetically engaging with the crowd at the front of the stage. Reacting to the audience’s enthusiasm, Liam expressed his delight at returning to Glasgow. This evening’s performance centered primarily on their recent release, “Pink Cactus Café.
The band kicked off their concert with an explosive start, delighting the audience in Glasgow with a mix of their classic and latest hits, including “Are You In Love With A Notion” and “First Name Terms.” Early set standouts were the album’s title song “Pink Cactus Café,” “Solitude of the Night Bus,” and the exceptional “Modern Love.” Liam and Daniel’s enthusiasm was palpable, showing just how much they enjoyed performing. The set’s first half ended on a high note with “Hanging Off Your Cloud,” followed by a brief intermission. Liam then returned alongside Elina to begin a compelling acoustic segment, starting with a cover of Labi Siffre’s “It Must Be Love.” A fan near the stage requested “Please Don’t,” and Liam, eager to please, agreed to give it a shot, resulting in a remarkable performance. This led seamlessly into a powerful rendition of “Bide Your Time,” which had everyone at the OVO Hydro singing along passionately. The acoustic session concluded with a massive group sing-along to “Smiths Disco.” After this, Liam took a short, well-earned break as the acoustic session had elevated the show to a new level.
After a brief intermission, the band made a powerful comeback, kicking off the encore with “Small Bone,” which instantly had the audience singing along at full volume. Liam then reintroduced the special guest, DMA’s, who joined him on stage to perform their latest hit, “The Beginning Of The End.” The performance electrified the crowd, prompting fans to hoist each other up on their shoulders and capture the moment on their phones. The collaboration showcased stunning vocals from both Liam and Tom, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. The bands clearly relished the shared experience. As DMA’s exited, the only fitting follow-up was the exhilarating “Not Nineteen Forever,” which nearly blew the roof off with its explosive energy. The venue erupted in a chorus of singing and dancing, as the band and fans united in a powerful collective voice. The concert concluded with “What Took You So Long?” seamlessly incorporating a piece of the beloved James song “Tomorrow” into the mix.
As the band bowed and the audience expressed their enthusiastic appreciation for the incredible performance from beginning to end, the large LED screens displayed “God Bless The Band,” signalling that the show had come to a close.
Tonight marked an unforgettable evening of music, featuring an outstanding performance by The Courteeners, topping off a fantastic lineup. The audience reveled in the celebration as melodies resonated throughout the arena. It was indeed a memorable night, and those present can attest to its unique charm. Glasgow and The Courteeners consistently strike a resonant chord, and this evening was no exception… GOD BLESS THE BAND
Review by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond
