One thing I love about what I do is being introduced to incredible new music and local talent, capturing moments in time from artists’ careers. And from what I saw, Swim School is on a steady climb to the top.

On Friday evening, the female-led, all-Scottish rockers set the QMU on fire. It was an incredible showcase of homegrown talent and power, performed in their native Scotland and surrounded by long-standing, devoted fans. The band has cited Wolf Alice as an inspiration, and it shows: both groups are powerful, innovative, and led by a charismatic woman who commands the stage.

That said, her bandmates hold their own just as fiercely. A lead singer is only as strong as the musicians beside them, and Swim School has it all — haunting basslines, sharp guitar riffs, and impressive drum work.

QMU is a venue at the heart of Glasgow’s music culture, sitting right on campus and brimming with students. It felt like the perfect place to establish a new chapter in the city’s rich musical history. The room was bathed in a red-and-blue glow — sometimes a little too dark, but ideal for the atmosphere they created.

Their first album is only a month old, yet already feels like a strong, modern classic. Still, the band has a long history, treating fans to a mix of new and old songs in a rich setlist full of favourites.

A perfect Friday night devoted to amazing rock music, and a celebration of the young and thriving Scottish music scene.

Article: Mona Montella