Photo + Words: Olivia Macrae
Young rising artist ALEX SPENCER put on a stunning headline show at Glasgow’s King Tut’s on 15th April. Currently on his first headline tour across the UK, the tour started at Bristol on April 7th and finishes at Manchester Gorilla on 25th April. The highly anticipated Glasgow show saw support acts Strange Dimensions and The Marches opening up the night.
First up on the roster was local Scottish five-piece STRANGE DIMENSIONS on at 7.45 pm. The setlist included their debut single ‘The Dregs’ (Demo) track as well as their latest single ‘Occasions,’ released in July 2024. The set featured powerful drums and flowing guitars, with catchy riffs and punchy vocals. Their music style would best suit fans of The K’s, The Smiths, and Echo & The Bunnymen.
Next to warm up the crowd was all-girl band THE MARCHES based in Ayrshire and Paisley. The up-and-coming quartet offered catchy pop-rock tunes, including their latest release ‘Feel It All’ that came out on 27th February. Their set featured several fast-patched tracks with catchy bass lines and strong drums by Kate Morrow that carried the rhythm, alongside vocals from Katie Palmer. Strong guitars and bass carried by Jane Jenkins and Nicola Singleton were highlighted in their track ‘Talking Too Much,’ released September 2024.
Headliner of the night ALEX SPENCER bounced onto the stage at 9.15 pm with cracking energy and excitement for the set ahead.
The set included catchy upbeat tracks, with band mates Harrison on keys, Annabelle on guitar, and Will on drums. The four-piece have already done several gigs together, having supported Jamie Webster, Dylan John Thomas, The K’s, and The Lathums. I managed to catch ALEX SPENCER supporting The Royston Club back in May 2024, so I am super buzzing to have caught his set again – this time on his second ever headline tour.
A notable set highlight was ALEX SPENCER’s most recently released single ‘Bucket List’ where he threw 3 bucket hats into the crowd to excited fans. The first few front rows were taken up by loyal fans, looking for set lists and guitar pics following the show. With his first single released only 2 years ago, it is clear Alex is already creating his own fanbase after only doing music for a short time.
Alex regularly engaged with the crowd, and performed an acoustic solo section of the set, with a medley of ‘Mardy Bum’ by Arctic Monkeys, ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, and ‘Sit Down’ by James.
Recent single ‘Wake Me Up’ was a popular crowd favourite, even after only a few months following its release in February, several in the crowd already learnt the words. This is the first single of Alex’s new campaign, with lots of potential new music coming our way later this year. Alex closed the set with popular dance-pop track ‘Freed From Desire’ and a backflip for the cheering crowd. Alex then met with crowd attendees after the set, taking photos with eager fans at the merchandise stand and getting to know the Glasgow crowd.
You can catch ALEX SPENCER at the Neighbourhood Weekender in Manchester, Liverpool Sound City, as well as Together Again Fest in Cheshire this summer!
Photo Credits:
Lydia May – London, Camden Assembly
Nora Toth – Manchester, Gorilla
Kaya McNeill-Simms – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Olivia Macrae – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Taped Magazine 