If there’s one perk to concert photography, it’s the access to so many emerging and outstanding acts from across Scotland — and Dazed and Confused are surely one of them.

With a sound that evokes Kings of Leon or The Black Keys, they look and feel like they belong in a dive bar somewhere deep in Tennessee, rather than their hometown of Edinburgh. But under the lights of the iconic King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut — their debut appearance at the venue — the band felt right at home.

Frontman Callum O’Reilly, drummer Alfie Smith, bassist Archie Brewis, and guitarist Ruariadh Rattray each brought their own presence and personality to the stage, delivering a set that was both energetic and captivating.

As I waited for the show to begin, I watched the room fill with a mix of new faces and long-time fans. A couple of girls stopped to snap a photo of the band’s name written in pink chalk on the venue board. “I’m so proud of them,” one said. It’s clear these are just the first bricks in a much bigger following.

The setlist leaned into their recently released debut album, Rust, featuring tracks like “Snake Queen”, “Swamp Song”, and “Burn”, along with a teaser of new material like “Sacrificial Lamb”. It all fit seamlessly into their Americana-infused aesthetic — denim, cowboy hats, beers, and the road-trip rock soundtrack to a Route 66 daydream. And it works. For them, it feels natural.

What also works is the band’s chemistry — a real “band of brothers” energy. They set up their own gear, sold their own merch, and interacted with fans throughout the night. As I waited at the barrier, Archie, the bassist, came over, introduced himself, and thanked me for coming. That kind of openness is rare and refreshing.

Was there a single standout moment? Not quite — because the entire show felt like one solid, confident step forward. This was less a breakout and more a prelude to something bigger, and absolutely a band I’d recommend catching live the next time they roll through Glasgow.

I’ll definitely be there.

Article: Mona Montella