After days of yellow weather warnings hanging over Glasgow, it seemed Summer Sessions might begin under dark skies. Instead, the clouds gave way to glorious sunshine, leaving Skunk Anansie to deliver the only storm Bellahouston Park would experience that evening. They didn’t just open the festival—they metaphorically blew the roof off the place.

Having seen Skunk Anansie live countless times over the years, I thought I knew exactly what to expect: explosive performances, relentless energy and Skin’s unmatched stage presence. Yet somehow, they continue to exceed expectations every single time. While many bands from the same era are content to trade on nostalgia, Skunk Anansie remain refreshingly relevant. Their latest album, The Painful Truth, confirms they remain as fearless, relevant and vital as ever.

From the moment Charlie Big Potato erupted across Bellahouston Park, Skin commanded the stage with complete authority. Every movement felt purposeful, every lyric carried conviction, and every interaction with the audience felt genuine, reinforcing why she remains one of Britain’s most compelling frontwomen. Dressed in an oversized black skull T-shirt, cycling shorts and fluorescent pink Adidas socks, her understated look only served to highlight what mattered most: her rare ability to make a festival stage feel both immense and surprisingly personal.

What has always set Skunk Anansie apart is their willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Beneath the thunderous guitars, driving rhythms and powerful melodies lies a band whose songs have always carried substance as well as power. Whether exploring identity, prejudice, injustice or vulnerability, their music has consistently reflected the realities of the world around them with honesty and conviction. In many ways, The Painful Truth feels less like a new direction and more like the latest chapter in a conversation the band have been having for over three decades. It proves they remain driven by conviction rather than comfort, refusing to soften either their message or their music.

One moment Skin’s voice barely rises above a whisper; the next it tears across Bellahouston Park with breathtaking intensity, reminding everyone why she has long been regarded as one of rock’s finest vocalists. Her performance moved effortlessly between quiet vulnerability and raw intensity, often within the same song, carrying every lyric with equal measures of precision and emotion. If there was any doubt about the lasting impact of Skunk Anansie’s catalogue, Weak and Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) answered it. Long before Skin reached the microphone, Bellahouston Park had already taken over vocal duties, every chorus echoing back with the kind of passion reserved for songs that have become woven into people’s lives. Some songs fade with time. These have simply found new generations of voices to sing them. The heavier moments of the set, meanwhile, served as a reminder that Skunk Anansie remain one of Britain’s most formidable live bands, delivering wave after wave of intensity without ever sacrificing musicianship.

Behind Skin, Ace’s guitar work was one of the evening’s standout features, effortlessly shifting between crushing riffs, soaring melodies and intricate solos that gave every song even greater impact. Cass and Mark Richardson provided the relentless foundation that has defined the band’s sound for decades, while the chemistry between the four musicians was unmistakable. There is an effortless chemistry to the way they perform together that only comes from years of sharing a stage, each member instinctively knowing exactly when to step forward and when to let the music breathe.

Watching Skin perform is never a passive experience—she refuses to allow it. Long before the final chorus, the invisible divide between stage and audience had all but disappeared, replaced by thousands of people sharing in something that felt less like a concert and more like a collective release. One of the evening’s defining moments came during I Can Dream, when Skin once again demonstrated why few performers connect with an audience quite like she does. Stepping into the crowd with her now-famous “Skin Cam”, she transformed festival-goers from spectators into part of the performance itself. It wasn’t simply crowd interaction—it encapsulated everything that has always made Skunk Anansie such a compelling live band. By the time Tear the Place Up brought the set to a close, Summer Sessions was officially underway. More than three decades after they first burst onto the scene, Skunk Anansie remain fearless, authentic and defiantly relevant. The Painful Truth is more than an album title; it encapsulates everything the band have stood for throughout their career—a refusal to shy away from saying the difficult things out loud. They didn’t just open Summer Sessions—they reminded everyone why, after all these years, they still matter.

 
If Skunk Anansie provided the thunder, Wet Leg supplied the sunshine. Bringing their unmistakable blend of witty lyricism, deceptively catchy melodies and understated charm to Bellahouston Park, the band delivered a set that felt effortlessly authentic from beginning to end. Fresh from the release of their second album, Moisturizer, the Isle of Wight five-piece showed exactly why they have become one of Britain’s most exciting indie bands, combining sharp songwriting, relaxed confidence and effortless musicianship to win over an already enthusiastic Summer Sessions crowd.

From the opening notes of Catch These Fists, it was clear Wet Leg were exactly where they belonged. Their relaxed stage presence and understated confidence made the performance feel wonderfully unforced from beginning to end. Rhian Teasdale’s dry humour and understated charisma perfectly complemented the band’s musicianship, creating a set that felt both intimate and effortlessly suited to the festival stage. Dressed in simple white shorts and top, finished with chunky tan boots, Teasdale embodied the band’s signature style: understated, authentic and quietly confident.

What makes Wet Leg so compelling is their ability to make simplicity feel exciting. Their songs are packed with clever observations, offbeat humour and deceptively catchy melodies that linger long after they’ve finished. Beneath the playful lyrics lies a band of exceptional musicians, with Hester Chambers‘ intricate guitar work and the tight rhythm section providing the perfect foundation for every song.

Although Moisturizer marks the next chapter for the band, the newer material sat seamlessly alongside fan favourites, demonstrating just how naturally their sound continues to evolve. Rather than chasing trends or reinventing themselves, Wet Leg remain true to the qualities that first won them acclaim: originality, authenticity and an ability to find humour in the everyday.

If there was any doubt about which songs the crowd had been waiting for, Chaise Longue, Wet Dream and Ur Mum quickly answered it. Bellahouston Park erupted into huge singalongs, every witty lyric echoed back with infectious enthusiasm as the audience embraced the band’s playful spirit. It was impossible not to smile watching thousands of people shout every word in unison, transforming songs already rich in personality into genuinely memorable festival moments.

It was a performance built on personality rather than spectacle, allowing the band’s wit, musicianship and authenticity to speak for themselves. By the time Mangetout brought the set to a close, Wet Leg had done exactly what great festival bands do: they left thousands of people smiling. With clever songwriting, undeniable musicianship and a refreshing lack of pretence, they delivered a set that felt every bit as genuine as it was entertaining. In an evening shared with two legendary artists, Wet Leg never tried to be anything other than themselves—and that proved to be their greatest strength.

Alanis Morissette delivers an unforgettable masterclass at Glasgow Summer Sessions
By the time Alanis Morissette stepped onto the Summer Sessions stage, Bellahouston Park had already witnessed two outstanding performances. For many, this was the moment they had waited decades for—a chance to hear the songs that defined much of the 1990s. Yet what unfolded was far more than a celebration of a remarkable catalogue. From the opening notes, Morissette reminded everyone that truly great songwriting doesn’t belong to one era. Her music endures because its emotional honesty feels every bit as powerful today as when those songs were first written.

Having waited decades to finally see Alanis Morissette perform live, expectations were enormous. Somehow, she surpassed every one of them. More than thirty years after Jagged Little Pill redefined a generation, Morissette remains an artist whose work refuses to be confined to the past. Her songs explore love, heartbreak, healing, identity, forgiveness and resilience with a sincerity that still feels deeply relevant. They are timeless not because they are old, but because they remain profoundly human.

From the opening notes of Hand in My Pocket, Morissette commanded Bellahouston Park with effortless authority. There was nothing forced about her performance; her confidence came entirely from the songs and the conviction with which she delivered them. Dressed simply in black with a flowing burgundy layer, she moved seamlessly between acoustic guitar, harmonica and centre stage. Her glittering gold guitar added a little extra sparkle to the evening—because, apparently, extraordinary songwriting wasn’t quite enough. Every smile, every glance towards the audience and every spoken reflection revealed an artist completely at ease with herself and deeply connected to every lyric she sang.

Behind the band, beautifully understated visuals unfolded across the giant screens. Atmospheric woodland imagery, shifting colours and subtle lighting echoed the emotional landscape of each song without ever competing for attention. Like the performance itself, every visual element served the music, creating an experience that felt both intimate and cinematic.

If there was one aspect of the performance that lingered long after the final note, it was Morissette’s voice. Rich, expressive and remarkably powerful, it remains one of the most distinctive in modern music. One moment it conveyed the quietest vulnerability; the next it soared with breathtaking intensity, carrying decades of lived experience in every lyric. Rather than revisiting old favourites, Morissette inhabited every song completely. Each performance felt immediate, deeply personal and emotionally fearless, as though these stories were still unfolding in the present.

The setlist struck a thoughtful balance between the songs that defined a generation and later material that deserved every bit as much recognition. While Hand in My Pocket, Head Over Feet, Ironic, You Learn, You Oughta Know, Uninvited and the closing Thank U prompted huge singalongs, songs such as Reasons I Drink, Smiling and Rest sat naturally alongside them, demonstrating how her songwriting has continued to evolve without ever losing the qualities that first captivated audiences. It never felt like a greatest-hits show; instead, it felt like a journey through every chapter of an extraordinary career.

Among the evening’s defining moments was Mary Jane. Stripped back and emotionally exposed, it became one of those rare performances where an entire audience seemed to fall silent. Morissette sang with such raw emotion that every lyric felt deeply personal—a reminder that some of her most affecting work has never been measured by chart success. It was an unforgettable performance that lingered long after the final note had faded.

Few songwriters have explored life’s contradictions with the honesty of Alanis Morissette. Throughout her catalogue, vulnerability sits comfortably beside strength, heartbreak alongside healing, and anger alongside forgiveness. It is that emotional truth—never simplified, never sanitised—that gives her music its enduring power.

For many, Summer Sessions offered the chance to revisit the soundtrack of their youth. What Alanis Morissette delivered was something far more meaningful. Rather than simply celebrating the past, she reminded everyone why these songs have endured for more than three decades. Honest, fearless and emotionally generous, they continue to find new meaning at every stage of life. As thousands of voices joined together for Thank U, it became clear that this was never just about nostalgia—it was about music that still understands us. And that is what made the evening truly unforgettable.

 

Written by Louise Meina

Images: Euan Robertson