Summary
Ash captivated the audience throughout this concert in Glasgow, performing amazing songs that had the crowd smiling from ear to ear. This piece reviews the show in detail, pointing out every aspect of the performance and atmosphere that contributed to a perfect set.
Much to fans’ pleasure, the legendary Ash kicked off their UK and Ireland tour on Thursday, November 20th, with an almost sold-out concert showcasing their much-loved hits across all 9 albums.
Performing in the popular Glasgow venue SWG3, the energy and vibes were unmatched, as lead singer Tim Wheeler fuelled the crowd’s energy, speaking in-between songs about his love for Glasgow.
Opener: Coach Party
Opening for Ash was the up-and-coming indie rock band Coach Party, who hyped the crowd up with upbeat songs like “Girls!” and “Disco Dream”. Lead singer and bassist Jess Edwards introduced every song powerfully, with a similar sound to Kathleen Hanna, while guitarist Joe Perry shredded every song, paired with Steph Norris’s backup and distortion pedals. The upbeat rhythms of most songs, however, were thanks to the talents of drummer Guy Page, luring the audience in with his infectious fills. It’s safe to say that these indie rock stars set the scene for a fantastic concert and a lively ambiance throughout.
Famous Entrance:
The audience cheered as Ash took the stage with their iconic intro, blending rock into the instrumental track “Zarathustra” from 2001: A Space Odyssey, setting the sci-fi inspired tone before launching into the high-energy track “Fun People”. The group’s lively attitude and excitement to be performing reflected itself in the behaviour of the crowd, filled with joy and exhilaration from the moment Tim picked up the guitar.
The Setlist:
Ash’s set included the perfect mix of old, new, and covers which had the crowd singing along from start to finish. A memorable rendition from the gig is the groovy Beetlejuice tune, “Jump In The Line”, which the band altered into a rock version that had everyone dancing. Some standout songs performed from their new album include: “Keep Dreaming” and “Give Me Back My World”, which were all performed to perfection. However, Ash also pleased the fans with some classic songs from their earlier albums like “Shining Light”, “A Life Less Ordinary”, and “Petrol”.
Musical Talents:
Drummer Rick McMurray is the backbone musician of the band, who kept consistency throughout the concert with his impressive rhythm, particularly noticeable in tunes like “Race The Night” and “Ad Astra”.
Meanwhile, frontman Tim Wheeler kept the energy levels out of this world, introducing each song with immense enthusiasm and providing incredible vocals, captivating the audience with his rockstar style scream.
However, the member who audiences could not keep their eyes off was bassist Mark Hamilton. While it’s common for bass players to just stand and bop along to their notes, Mark broke away from this stereotype, with his punk style moves and poses with his bass, impressing fans even further.
After blessing the crowd with their incredible songs, Ash came back to the stage to give the perfect encore to an unforgettable night with the fan favourite, “Girl From Mars”. It is safe to say that Ash have made the best comeback to Glasgow, giving a 10 out of 10 performance in all elements.
Featured Image Credit – Maisie Nisbet
