Photo Credit: Raven Graham
Words: Eve Smith

“Is this real?” is a question I’ve been asking myself since the announcement of Overpass’s debut album, which is scheduled for release on the 5th of June.

With the release of ‘Elsewhere, Always’, Overpass arrived in Glasgow carrying the momentum of one the UK’s most exciting emerging indie bands. And crowds have a way or turning concerts into something louder, more emotional and deeply personally, so for Overpass to bring their debut album launch to Assai Records in Glasgow, it felt perfect – a young band on the rise connecting with a city that thrives on passionate live music. 

‘Elsewhere, Always’, marks a defining moment for the band, after years of steadily building momentum through explosive live shows and emotionally charged anthems, the Birmingham four-piece delivered a record that captures their signature anthemic rhythm and energy, as well as their vulnerability. The album travels through soaring choruses and reflective lyricism, perfectly balancing youthful urgency with themes of growing up, uncertainty and escapism. It’s an ambitious debut, that still showcases the rawness that originally connected fans with the band.

That familiar sense of anticipation filled Assai Records long before the band appeared, as fans packed in tightly between shelves of vinyl and posters. As what could have been a simple in-store performance instead felt like a celebration, not only for the new album, but new beginnings of a band stepping forward into a bigger chapter. As the band stepped out in front of the crowd, bursting into tune with ‘Union Station’, a nostalgic mix of youthful aspiration against the world’s relentless pace, which had been released prior to the album. 

And the intimate in-store setting stripped away any distance between the band and crowd, as fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder, taking in every word and singing gently along to the words of ‘Sandman’ and ‘Is This Real?’ two other early-release tracks from the album, both featuring the bands trademark energetic guitar work alongside their reflective and raw lyricism. 

The already released singles suggest a band growing in confidence, who are willing to explore vulnerability and a tender rawness, while still providing anthemic and emotionally charged choruses. These themes continued throughout the show, as the evening continued with tracks such as ‘Fall in Love’ and ‘Forever You’, displayed exactly what the band are capable of, before delivering a sharper emotional punch with ‘Bonnie & Clyde Pt. 2’, a euphorically tender tune, with emotionally direct lyrics which landed perfectly with the crowd.

What stood out most was Overpass’s confidence, as album launch shows can sometimes feel cautious due to the new material, but this felt like a statement of arrival as the band played with an energy that displayed exactly who they are, despite a small stumble during one of their songs, titled ‘Get Up’ – which is exactly what they did. Their stage presence was captivating from beginning to end, with their mix of indie-rock urgency, shimmering guitar work and emotionally direct lyrics landing perfectly with the Glasgow crowd. 

The atmosphere inside the store was electric, but also deeply personal, displaying the true magic of smaller launch events – being close enough to catch everything. The album mixes reflective nostalgia with a hint of mystery, and the anthemic choruses allow frontman Max Newbold’s powerful vocals to be displayed to their fullest, adding significant emotional depth to the songs, specifically those such as ‘I Will’ and ‘Get Up’, which also feature gentle backing vocals that clash perfectly with Newbold’s vocals. The evening overall was a celebration between the artist and audience, transforming the promotional stop into something heartfelt and beautiful.

For a debut album launch, ‘Elsewhere, Always’, already sounds like the beginning of something much bigger, as it displays the band’s trademark energetic guitar work and evocative lyricism, while also becoming deeply personal and tender, connecting to the audience. And the Glasgow launch show captured the album perfectly: intimate yet explosive, and full of confidence, amplifying the connection between the audience and band. If the performance proved anything, it’s that Overpass are no longer simply a promising indie band to watch out for, but are already becoming one of the most exciting acts in the UK scene.

Photo Credit: Raven Graham