Tonight’s support came from London-based Native James. Initially regarded as a Grime artist, tonight’s showing was the best of pure, hard-hitting Rap meets Punk/Metal fusion. Imagine Rage Against The Machine and you might be partway there. The audience adored him from the very first note—raw power and eye-to-eye energy that charged the room and captivated everyone inside. The love shown by the crowd humbled a truly surprised and thankful Native James.

When he asked for the crowd to separate and prepare to mosh, the crowd parted like the Red Sea—and when it slammed… it really slammed. The force and the energy were infectious and the effect, everlasting. This was Native James’s first time in Glasgow, first time in Scotland, and the quest for post-performance Irn Bru made everyone roar with laughter and approval. In the meantime, go listen to the album and prepare to thrash on his return.

A hard-hitting, straight-from-the-heart punk rapper relaying the complexities and harsh realities of mental health and the pressure of modern life, as well as the British Asian experience of being born and growing up in the UK. Hyphen’s journey to tonight’s sold-out show has by no means been easy or traditional.

Anyone that had seen Hyphen play at SWG3 last October knew what to expect, and tonight’s sold-out crowd were not to be disappointed. A firecracker of a performer who explodes on stage and who, from the onset, demands attention and participation. It is rare to get an artist to present truly authentic and actually lived experiences, translated into a supercharged performance that drags you along and makes you wonder where the world is at—and why people do what they do.

Songs like Deskjob, Hate Yachts Not Dinghies, and Marching Powder are absolute highlights and demand a rousing sing-along response. Incredibly, that frantic level of energy is maintained throughout the night by Hyphen and a willing and enthusiastic crowd that chant and jostle shoulder to shoulder.

Such fierce songs were lovingly received, and the crowd rejoiced—the floor bounced more than any other venue I’ve been in… Barrowlands included.

Between songs, and with almost no voice left, Hyphen passes the mic to the ever-smiling Vishal to expand on the content and fill in the blanks. But there are no blanks. Everyone already understands—the lyrics are so fundamental and relatable that you have to wonder how we got here. Moments encapsulated into songs that are immediate and universal.

Tonight’s show was highly anticipated and without fault. With such an incredible stage presence and such hard-hitting, insightful songs that can be universally understood in a positive way… laying bare the obvious and questioning the ridiculous.

It’s been quite hard to put into words the effect tonight’s performance has had… emotionally, politically, ethically, and musically.

Hyphen will be back—and you really should not miss this phenomenon.

I urge you to investigate Hyphen further… listen… really listen and absorb.

Words: NICK TAMMER

Images: CHRIS HOGGE