Hailing from Oxford, alt/indie rockers South Arcade make the most of their opening slot at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom. Even before they strike a note, the band receive an early show of appreciation as they take the stage to set up—a sign that they will go down well.
Kicking things off with ‘2005’, they have the crowd bouncing from the first chord, and the energy never dips. A cover of Justin Timberlake’s ‘SexyBack’ is a definite highlight, slotting in seamlessly alongside their own material, including the fresh and infectious ‘Supermodels’.
With an electric stage presence and a set packed with energy, South Arcade more than warm up the room — they have the full crowd onside by the time they leave. A band to watch.
From the moment Bilmuri take the stage and launch into ‘Emptyhanded’, it’s clear tonight is going to be wild. The energy from the entire band is relentless, setting the tone for a chaotic and unforgettable set.
“I hear the Scots like to drink — this song is about drinking 80,000 beers,” frontman Johnny Franck announces before diving straight into ‘ALl Gas’, sending the crowd into a frenzy. A chant of “Reese” fills the room, for guitarist Reese Maslen, before ‘Blindsided’, with Franck telling us it’s because “he has prepared a tasty, delectable riff for you.”
For the old-school fans, ’80/20Skybeef’ makes a welcome appearance, complete with band introductions and an absolutely blistering drum solo from Xavier Ware. Later, Franck quips “Ohio is the biggest shithole in the world, but it’s my shithole,” leading into ‘2016 Cavaliers (Ohio)’ which has the sold-out Barrowlands singing every word.
Before ‘Straight Through You’, Franck delivers an emotional thank-you speech, crediting the crowd with saving his life. The moment is made even more special as phone torches light up red—thanks to a fan-led project handing out stickers at the door.
The main set closes with ‘Better Hell (Thicc Boi)’ featuring one of the tastiest riffs you’ll ever hear. But it’s not long before the band return for a final blowout, ending the night on a high with ‘Corn-fed Yetis’.
Last but not least we have to give props to Gabi Rose, whose incredible saxophone playing, boundless energy, and seamless vocal contributions elevate the set throughout.
A show packed with energy, emotion, and absolute chaos — Bilmuri deliver everything their fans could have hoped for and more.
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