Howling Bells // King Tut’s // 13.03.26

Howling Bells’ return to Glasgow was a stark and welcome contrast to the last time I saw them—a seated, socially distanced show during the COVID years to mark the 15th anniversary of their debut album. While that night was steeped in nostalgia and a certain fragile uncertainty, this show felt like a true comeback for the Aussie indie rockers. Here they were at the legendary King Tut’s, promoting Strange Life—their first album of new material in 11 years. As you can imagine, there was an air of anticipation in the room, with fans eager to hear the new songs performed live for the first time.

The group played it safe by opening with “Blessed Night”, instantly grounding the room in familiar territory, before launching into “Unbroken”, the lead single from the new record. From that point on, the band moved through their new material with ease, as if they’d been playing these songs for years.

“Melbourne” unfolded with its cinematic dream-pop guitars; “Sacred Land” hit hard with fierce intensity; and “Sweet Relief” brought a raw, bluesy garage-rock edge. Despite the shifting moods, the transitions felt seamless. Juanita Stein’s vocals were central to this, her versatile and expressive delivery guiding the audience from one emotional landscape to the next.

It was the older material, however, that resonated most with longtime fans. Songs like “Setting Sun” and “Cities Burning Down” tapped into the band’s signature gothic undercurrent, while “Your Love” delivered a pulsating wall of sound that filled the venue.

For the encore, we were treated to a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”, reshaped in their dark, brooding style until it felt like one of their own. The evening reached a fever pitch when the band closed with the iconic “Low Happening”, drawing immediate cheers as Joel Stein tore into its jagged guitar riff, locked tightly into Glenn Moule’s thumping groove on drums.

It was a rousing conclusion to a set that rarely stayed still. While the show was relatively brief at just over an hour, the new songs held their own remarkably well against the classics. It served as a reminder of why Howling Bells remain a cult favourite in the indie scene, showing a band that has evolved without losing their edge.