It’s a packed house tonight at the iconic Glasgow Barrowlands, and from the very first note, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. Kicking things off is Teesside duo Benefits, the perfect warm-up act for what’s to come.

Their stripped-back setup—a stark fusion of electronic beats and jagged, urgent guitar riffs—forms the backdrop for a vocalist who seems to channel every ounce of anger and frustration into each line. Their performance is raw, visceral, and utterly gripping, dripping with a kind of feral energy that feels almost too big for the stage, let alone the support slot. They’re a force to be reckoned with, and for those unfamiliar, their upcoming UK tour in October is an absolute must-see.

After the adrenaline-charged set from Benefits, the room swells with excitement as Arab Strap take to the stage. There’s a certain comfort to the way Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton settle into the spotlight; it’s the ease of veterans who know exactly how to command the attention of a sold-out Barrowlands crowd.

Tonight, they’re showcasing tracks from their latest album, I’m Totally Fine With It 👍 Don’t Give a Fuck Anymore, released earlier this year. It’s a record that, much like their live show, blends moments of melancholy with bursts of dark humour and irreverence, delivered with the sardonic wit we’ve come to love and expect from Moffat.

Opening with Allatonceness, a sprawling, hypnotic number, Arab Strap immediately establish the duality that defines their sound: the slow-burning, moody atmospherics juxtaposed with Moffat’s biting, spoken-word delivery. As the set progresses, the energy never dips.

Moffat’s stage presence is as always – magnetic, his baritone weaving tales of everyday despair and fleeting joy, all while the band maintains a steady, undulating groove behind him. There’s always something happening on stage—Middleton’s intricate guitar work cutting through the gloom, the rhythm section locked in tight, keeping everything anchored.

Highlights from the set include the haunting Girls of the Summer, the shimmering melancholy of Strawberry Moon, and the acerbic bite of Drag Queen, each track showcasing the band’s ability to move fluidly between wistful introspection and searing, confrontational power. But it’s Fable of the Urban Fox that truly stands out—a devastating slow burn that builds to a cathartic crescendo, leaving the crowd spellbound.

After a short encore, Aidan and Malcolm return to the stage alone for a stripped-down performance of You’re Not There and the fan favourite The Shy Retirer. The intimacy of these songs, paired with the sparse arrangement, makes for a poignant contrast to the evening’s heavier moments. The rest of the band joins them for the finale, Soaps, a crowd-pleaser that sees the Barrowlands erupt in a joyous, raucous singalong.

There’s something undeniably special about Arab Strap live. The interplay of bleakness and humour, despair and euphoria, creates a dynamic that few bands can match. It’s that unique mix of dour Scottish wit and sweeping, cinematic soundscapes that keeps their audience—tonight, a sea of die-hard fans—coming back for more. As the final notes fade and the crowd filters out into the Glasgow night, you can’t help but feel that PEOPLE REALLY DO MAKE GLASGOW.

Photos : Rose McEnroe

Words: Angela Canavan & Rose McEnroe