Charli XCX, SWG3, Glasgow - stripped of the gimmicks, but still the whole package

★★★★ CHARLIE XCX, GLASGOW Pop pioneer kicks off tour with techno dance party

Pop pioneer kicks off European tour with a Glasgow techno dance party

Considered logically, releasing an album as heavy on guest features as Charli XCX’s newest should present particular logistical problems when it comes to recreating the tracks on tour. Charli’s approach is the opposite: no gimmicks or trickery, just minimalist techno hedonism powered by nothing but strobe lights and sheer charisma.

Hot Chip, Barrowland, Glasgow review - dancefloor kings keep the party going

★★★★★ HOT CHIP, BARROWLAND, GLASGOW Dancefloor kings keep the party going

Londoners were in sublime form promoting their new album

Familiarity evidently does not breed contempt, at least in the case of Hot Chip and Glasgow. This was the band’s third appearance on Glaswegian soil since April, and what a glorious, life-affirming evening it was. They arrived with a fine new album to promote in the shape of “A Bath Full of Ecstasy”, and both new and old songs alike were imbued with fresh energy here, aided by a crowd evidently buzzing on Saturday night adrenaline (and in some cases, quite possibly certain other substances).

Richard Hawley, Barrowland, Glasgow - black clad crooner's songs remain full of atmosphere and heart

★★★★ RICHARD HAWLEY, BARROWLAND, GLASGOW Black clad crooner's songs remain full of atmosphere and heart

The singer was in playful form at the Barrowland

When Richard Hawley arrived onstage, he had a confession to make. “I like to talk”, he declared, before adding “and play rock n’ roll”. Both were delivered in ample supply during the ensuing performance, the black clad quiff wearing troubadour a natural fit for one of Scotland’s most famed rock n’ roll locations.

Foo Fighters, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow - communal singalongs and career highlights

★★★★ FOO FIGHTERS, BELLAHOUSTON PARK Communal singalongs and career highlights

A muddy bucket list show from one of the biggest bands in the world

Foo Fighters are an unlikely candidate for one of the biggest bands in the world. There’s nothing workmanlike about the sheer joy with which Dave Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins approach playing live. They’ll play the hits, sure, but they’ll stick a 10-minute long jam session on the end of each one, and they’ll also play the 22-year-old deep cut that you used to sing 'Pat Smear backing vocals' along to with your first boyfriend. And you, the audience, will love every minute of it.

The National, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow review - rapture, catharsis and jokes

★★★★★ THE NATIONAL, KELVINGROVE BANDSTAND, GLASGOW Rapture, catharsis and jokes

Cincinnati indies play new album and old favourites over two summer nights

With their claustrophobic melodies and cryptic lyrics, The National are not the most obvious of choices for a summer evening. But then, The National of 2019 are not the same band. On recent album I Am Easy to Find, frontman Matt Berninger’s signature baritone is often on the periphery, while female voices take the lead.

Gossip, SWG3, Glasgow - a reunion tour worth celebrating

Dance-punk trio bring pre-Pride party vibes to Glasgow

If there was a downer during the giddy, gleeful Glasgow stop of Gossip’s recent run of shows, it was only when front woman Beth Ditto introduced the band as being “not really together but we’re here”. The dance-punk trio - joined, for this short run of reunion shows, by pre-split touring members Chris Sutton on bass and Gregg Foreman on keyboards - were made to front sweaty rooms, with Ditto in particular a gleaming vision in a sleek black wig and metallic pink dress.

Carrie Underwood, SSE Hydro, Glasgow review - country cliches brought to life

★★★★ CARRIE UNDERWOOD, SSE HYDRO, GLASGOW Country cliches brought to life

Onetime American Idol brings her Cry Pretty tour to Glasgow

“We didn’t come all the way from Nashville, Tennessee with just one fiddle,” says Carrie Underwood, halfway through her Glasgow show. The onetime American Idol turned multiple Grammy award-winning country superstar isn’t one for doing things by halves: hers is a show with a big band, big boots, big earrings and her gigantic, arena-filling voice.

Emmy the Great, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow review - emotions recollected

★★★★ EMMY THE GREAT, KING TUT'S WAH WAH HUT, GLASGOW Singer-songwriter performs her first album 'First Love' 10 years on

Singer-songwriter performs her first album 'First Love' 10 years on

“I appreciate the irony of me singing this in my mum jeans,” says Emmy The Great, whose five-month-old is travelling with her on this tour, before playing “We Almost Had a Baby”. Despite its jaunty little riff the song, from her 10-year-old debut album, is a desperately sad one, about a pregnancy scare.