New Zealand brother duo Balu Brigada played the surprisingly small Glasgow venue, Queen Margaret Union, on Tuesday, May 5, writing their names onto the union’s wall, next to the Cranberries and Nirvana. Safe to say, with catchy alternative-indie songs and a rapidly increasing fanbase, this was a rare opportunity, unlikely to be repeated.
The brothers Pierre and Henry Beasley broke out with their hit So Cold back in 2024 and were later offered to open for Twenty-One Pilots on their world tour. With a tantalising indie/alternative sound and the ‘laid-back rockstar’ stage persona, the duo have made their way into the UK music scene.
A small venue for a large fandom
Heavily underestimating their popularity for their own headline world tour, Balu Brigada sold out most of their UK dates. Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union, with a capacity of about 900, will have had the rare opportunity to host yet another iconic band.
Opening with Golden Gate Girl, the crowd was already electric in anticipation of what was to come. Pierre, with his iconic beanie, long hair and sunglasses and his brother, Henry, on guitar, took the stage immediately embodying the song’s infectious beat.
The crowd was screaming with excitement as they played the song from their most recent album, Portal. With the different but iconic duck noise for an intro, the brothers slipped right into the track Sideways. Eager to interact with the crowd, Henry leapt towards the barricade, strumming his guitar inches away from the audience.
By the next song, the fans were well warmed up and chanting along. Politix filled the room with both brothers riffing to the chorus on guitar. Pierre’s voice was immaculately similar to the studio version, crisply resounding through the microphone.
For the introspective track, The Question, the audience took out their flashlights, swaying to the sentimental and lulling chorus. It was difficult not to imagine the potential of it all amplified in a stadium setting.
Brothers on stage
As the concert went on, Pierre and Henry whirled around to the intro for Do We Ever Really Know? Unique to a brother duo like this is the lovingly playful dynamic on stage. The audience got to witness this heartwarming display with them messing about while riffing together, and Pierre burrowing his head into Henry while strumming the guitar.
Suddenly, when the crowd started chanting the well-known No Scotland, No Party, the New Zealand duo chimed in. Strumming the Seven Nation Army melody by The White Stripes, the crowd eagerly chanted louder. It was another sweet interaction between the audience and the brothers. I couldn’t help but smile and think, “Well done, boys.”
Musical talent and impressive lighting
Balu Brigada also offered a slowed-down and alternative take on Hall and Oates’ song Make My Dreams Come True. It was a beautiful cover with chilling vocals and a mesmerising synth outro. The rendition showcased the duo’s musical talent in making something their own, while also paying tribute to past legends.
Worth noting was the production quality alongside the brothers’ performance. The stage lighting, together with the audience engagement, made the small concert venue feel so much grander. Experienced in playing arenas by having supported Twenty One Pilots on their world tour last year, the brothers seemed more than ready to headline at a larger scale.
An active audience
With much anticipation, Pierre finally asked the crowd if they were ready for Backseat, to which everyone screamed in affirmation. The first chorus missed that extra touch of energy, but it became clear that they were building it up gradually. For the interlude, the audience clapped in excitement, as the band gave it their all for the final, iconic Backseat refrain. By this point, the crowd was jumping.
As the concert came to a close and the brothers left the stage, it was no surprise to hear the audience call out for another song. Finishing their set with Find A Way and Could You Not, the brothers gave the crowd what they wanted. Henry jumped toward the barricade again, handing the mic to a fan while riffing inches away from the audience.
Truly giving it their all the boys showed the appreciation for the fandom, offering an experience to remember. As they had finished riffing the outro the fan respectfully served the microphone back to Henry.
Conclusion
The moment that really sealed their fate was when fans stretched their hands out to get their autograph. As Pierre walked off stage wearing a Scottish flag, one can only hope they’ll return soon. Though it is very doubtful the fandom will ever fit in such a small venue again.
In 1993, Oasis played at Glasgow’s charmingly small King Tut’s, establishing a legendary reputation. Without trying to sound presumptuous, this May, the brother duo Balu Brigada wrote their names on the walls of Queen Margaret Union as one of the legends who played there.
For more information about Balu Brigada and future tour dates visit their official website.
Featured Image Credit: Isabel Mosley
