TENEMENT TRAIL made a triumphant return last weekend to Glasgow’s East End for a day of memorable live music and good times. Despite the weather warnings and torrential rain that besieged much of the country, music fans turned out in their droves for Scotland’s biggest and best music festival of discovery and a line-up that was bustling with talent from the very first note.

Fifty acts performed across eight venues at one of the biggest Trails yet, as we took over some of the nation’s best-loved venues such as the world-famous Barrowlands, Saint Luke’s and the stunning Barras Art and Design.

With a line-up brimming with local talent as well as a vast array of hotly-tipped prospects from further afield, Glasgow’s East End was definitely the place to be on Saturday as it was brought to life by the festival’s famous atmosphere and spirit. It was a day marked by many memorable moments as thousands of festival-goers dashed from gig to gig in the hope of discovering their new favourite band or artist.

So, with plenty of huge moments scattered throughout the day, let’s look back on some of the highlights of Tenement Trail 2023, from us and you…

Our first bands of the day kicked off proceedings at 2pm, with the likes of Walt Disco and San Jose drawing big crowds from the off. Before departing for the night shift in Newcastle, Walt Disco were a big hit with the home crowd.

 

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Elsewhere, Kerr Mercer provided shelter from the rain with an early stripped back set at St Lukes, showcasing heaps of potential and previously unheard material.

Despite the weather, Trail fans came out in their numbers and filled every venue from the off.

Over at BAaD, Glasgow punks Soapbox blew the cobwebs away with a riotous set that incited mosh pits from the first note. With frontman Tom Rowan in impassioned form, he stormed the stage like a pro – wasting no time in getting the crowd on side. Full of sardonic wit and raucous punk anthems, ‘Value Added Glasgow’ went down a treat with the hometown crowd.

 

In Barrowlands 2, Linzi Clark was joined onstage by her long-time collaborator Bovine for an intimate set that delved into her debut album ‘All I Have Now’, as well as teasing us with some new material that indicates a refreshing new direction for the hugely talented singer-songwriter. Meanwhile, returning for a second year running, Tina Sandwich filled the St Lukes main stage to the brim with punters. Arguably playing to one of her biggest crowds to date, the enigmatic frontwoman and her band took it very much in their stride – treating fans to a cover ‘Rock & Roll Queen’ by The Subways as well as singles like ‘Up All Night’ and ‘Sick Girl’.

 

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After smashing our pre-Trail party at the Tennents Wellpart Brewery a few nights previous, the hotly tipped Majesty Palm filled The Winged Ox to capacity – winning over a lot of new fans with their beautifully layered indie synth-pop.

Over at the Barrowlands, Bottle Rockets made their triumphant TENEMENT TRAIL debut in front of an enthralled audience. Given the massive task of opening our headline venue, the four-piece took it in their stride with frontman Kenzi Murray looking every inch a star in the making on the iconic stage. With shades of new wave, post-punk and modern indie all coming through, they’re definitely a band to watch out for.

Having already supported the likes of The View, Callum Beattie, Spyres and more, Ben Walker made his mark on TRAIL with a rousing tea time slot that showcased heaps of potential. An artist who knows his way round a catchy chorus, he’s one to keep an eye on for sure.

 

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Meanwhile, Lanarkshire outfit Bandit Country brought their moody, wiry post-punk to BAaD. After recently bursting onto our radar with ‘In Retrospect’, the band filled the room and certainly left a lasting impression.

 

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When a band make their Barrowlands debut, it’s always going to be a memorable one. And that was undoubtedly the case for Voodoos who lived up to all expectations and more, delivering one devilishly catchy indie anthem after another in front of a packed out room. A band who have cut their teeth in Glasgow’s most intimate venues, they looked at home in the iconic venue – with the tunes to boot.

TENEMENT TRAIL is always about giving bands a bigger platform and just like Voodoos, swim school smashed their first Barras out the park. With a growing army of diehard fans, the Edinburgh trio were perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated sets of the day, but they took it all in their stride. Material from their recent EP ‘duality’ sounded massive – and on this evidence, they’re just going to get bigger.

As the night drew in, the music just kept coming. While Plasticine and swim school were drawing big crowds at their respective shows, Sister Madds were representing the new gen in Van Winkle – provoking utter chaos from the front to the back. One of the loudest sets of the day, their quirky pop-rock tunes were delivered with plenty of fire and charisma.

Another artist making her TENEMENT TRAIL debut, SILVI headlined our Winged Ox stage.

Meanwhile, Lizzie Reid brought things to a close in Barrowlands 2 in typically spellbinding fashion. Easily one of the most well-attended sets in that venue all day, she performed material from her two EPs ‘Mooching’ and ‘Cubicle’, as well as a snippet of new material, in a set that was calming, uplifting and utterly enchanting. Her melodies of love, heartbreak, solitude and hope are timeless in every way – and she and her band held the crowd effortlessly from start to finish.

Meanwhile, it was party time over at St Lukes with fast-rising rapper Bemz. The name on many people’s lips that day, his set lived up to all expectations and more – his accompanying live band adding a new dynamic to huge floor-fillers like ‘Zidane’ and more meditative moments like ‘Snowfall’. Much of the set was made of his recent EP ‘Nova’s Dad’, which has also notably been shortlisted for this year’s SAY Award. It undoubtedly represents his most accomplished work to date, featuring thoughtful takes on fatherhood and mental health, but not without its share of dancefloor fillers. A Sean Focus duet for ‘RAGING BULL’ energised the crowd, but such is Bemz’ growing stature as a performer, even his newest single ‘G.O.M (Gyaillie On Me)’ released a day previous, set the room alight.

 

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Over at the Barrowlands, our Edinburgh heroes Vistas swept in to headline the festival in triumphant fashion. Marking their third Barras headline, the band celebrated the release of their recent third studio album ‘Is This All We Are?’ in style – delivering a masterclass in indie-pop with singalong moments and huge pop hooks.

But it wasn’t over yet! After smashing our midnight set last year, The Big Day returned to play one of the most eagerly anticipated sets of the day at BAaD. A band made for the big stages, they looked right at home in front of those big screens – full of swagger and pop ambition. And despite only having three singles to their name, they had the crowd singing along and hands aloft from start to finish. They’re undoubtedly destined for great things.

Meanwhile, over at McChuills, the night was just getting started with Big Girl’s Blouse and Junk Pups, and of course, our secret act still in the wings. And they were worth the wait – with queues winding round the block. Stopping off in the midst of their UK tour, we were delighted to have Spyres make a surprise appearance – following in the footsteps of legendary names before htem and etching their name in Trail history with a set full of indie bangers and raucous crowd participation. What’s more, they announced the release of their second EP ‘Karaoke Sellouts’ on 24th November. Watch this space!

And just like. Trail was done for another year. We’ll be back next year on Saturday 12th October, with early bird tickets on sale here. 

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