ON 11th OCTOBER, Tenement Trail returns for another incredible day of live music in Glasgow’s East End. Taking over legendary venues like the Barrowlands, Saint Luke’s and popular spaces like BAaD and Van Winkle, 2025 promises to be a milestone year for the festival which will be hosting one of its freshest and most exciting line-ups to date, headed up by Pale Waves, Dead Pony, Gallus, Do Nothing, Soapbox and more.
Since it first began in 2013, Tenement Trail has established itself as Scotland’s biggest and best festival for music discovery. Over the years, we’ve seen some of the finest talent in the UK take on Trail, from established veterans to hotly tipped artists to brand-new local bands, and the festival now boasts a highly impressive alumni of acts who have gone onto great success. Whether you’re looking to check out the next big thing or support local talent, Tenement Trail is definitely the place to be.
Ahead of the festival’s return, we take a look back at some of the artists who have left a lasting impression on the Trail and secured their place in the upper echelons of its rich and storied history.
Get your tickets to TENEMENT TRAIL 2025 here.
Lewis Capaldi
Only a handful of people saw Lewis Capaldi play The Vic Bar on Sauchiehall Street back in 2016 but it’s a set that will go down in festival’s storied history. Since then, Capaldi has become one of the biggest popstars in the world, With millions of streams on Spotify, two number one albums and huge army of diehard fans behind him. After taking a break for a couple of years, he recently made his long-awaited return with an emotional set at Glastonbury. He’s also in the middle of a UK arena tour, and has announced a huge show at BST Hyde Park next year – a far cry from the small Vic Bar on Sauchiehall Street.
Sam Fender
Sam Fender made the journey up to Glasgow back in 2014 when Tenement Trail was only in its second year. One of the first acts of the day at Flat 0/1 with a modest 3.30pm slot, he then returned three years later to play the festival in 2017 in Nice N Sleazy when the number of venues had increased from five to ten. Fender’s rise to the forefront of the UK music scene has been nothing short of stratospheric since those early days. Since last playing Trail, Fender has released three acclaimed albums ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, ‘Seventeen Going Under’ and ‘People Watching’, headlined Reading & Leeds, TRNSMT and other festivals across the world, and also played a series of massive gigs at St James Park. The venues just keep getting bigger and bigger for the Geordie singer-songwriter.
Yungblud
Before Yungblud became one of the most talked-about acts in the UK, he played a modestly attended set at Tenement Trail back in 2017 in Flat 0/1. The Doncaster star, otherwise known as Dominic Harrison, has become a streaming sensation over the last few years with one of the most passionate fanbases in the UK. Showcasing a smorgasbord of styles from guitar-driven indie to trap-infused hip-hop, his astute lyrics have really struck a chord with a new generation of music fans and with three albums now to his name, he has worked with the likes of Travis Barker, Halsey, Ozzy Osbourne and more. Having already spread his appeal from the US to Australia, Yungblud’s world domination is well underway.
LUCIA & The Best Boys
Since first appearing at Tenement Trail in 2016, Lucia & The Boys have had a memorable few years – even returning in 2019 to play the infamous midnight slot at McChuills. She shared her debut album ‘Burning Castles’ in 2023, and has toured relentlessly across the UK – joining the likes of Wolf Alice and Garbage on tour, playing in the US, appearing at TRNSMT, Reading & Leeds and much more. And along the way, the band’s sound has grown and matured – shifting from punchy indie-rock to a brooding, sweeping eighties-inspired alt-pop. With a headline Barrowlands show in the dairy for next year, the only way is up for the talented outfit.
Gallus
Gallus first appeared at TENEMENT TRAIL back in 2018 when the festival’s home was on Sauchiehall Street. Those days in the Priory feel like a long time ago now though. Since then, they’ve signed a record deal with Marshall Records released their debut album ‘We Don’t Like The People We’ve Become’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Cool To Drive’ EP – all while gigging around Europe, taking in the likes of Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and even Primavera Sound in Barcelona. They returned to Trail to headline BAaD in 2022 and it’s a set that will go down in the upper echelons of the festival’s history – absolute chaos featuring a cover of Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’. Now they’re back to tick off another one on the bucket list – a slot at the legendary Barrowlands.
Dead Pony
Another band who will make a return to TENEMENT TRAIL this year is Dead Pony. They also made their TRAIL debut in the Priory back in 2018, but the four-piece have evolved into an entirely different beast since those early days. Now the band are more well-known for their pummelling riffs and furious punk rock sound – channelling the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy and Nirvana. Full of swaggering confidence, they shared their debut album ‘IGNORE THIS’ last year and since then, have toured relentlessly across the UK with bands like Twin Atlantic and Don Broco – even making their Download Festival debut earlier this year. They’re an unmissable live act – so don’t miss them when the light up the Barrowlands ahead of our headline act Pale Waves.
The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party actually appeared at TRAIL back in 2022 under the name ‘The Dinner Party’ – playing to a small crowd at McChuills who would have been completely unaware of the huge future ahead of them. Since then, they’ve been unstoppable – capturing listeners with huge tunes like ‘Sinner’ and ‘Nothing Matters’ and playing sold-out shows all over the country. After a mammoth couple of years, the band have shown no signs of slowing down – announcing the release of their second album ‘From The Pyre’ for 17th October this year.
Jacob Alon
Born in Dunfermline, Fife, Jacob Alon made their TRAIL debut back in 2023. The singer-songwriter has a profound gift for storytelling, and their music is touched by a rare timelessness – b oth intimate and devastatingly introspective. Drawing fair comparisons to artists such as Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright, Alon’s sound cuts through the air with powerful and haunting vocals, intricate guitar playing, and pensive, poetic lyrics. Since their TRAIL debut, they’ve had quite the journey – sharing their debut album ‘In Limerence’ earlier this year which has now been nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Squid
Not just a place for emerging Scottish acts to make a name for themselves, Tenement Trail has also been known to welcome its fair share of touring acts from further afield. One of the hottest acts of the year in 2019 had to be Squid – the post-punk outfit arrived with a sterling reputation and they didn’t disappoint. Their third album ‘Cowards’ was released earlier this year to widespread acclaim – full of writhing, wormy guitars, ambient synths and brass interludes.
VLURE
VLURE have well and truly made their presence known at TENEMENT TRAIL over teh years, both in 2019 and again in 2024. Despite playing a difficult early slot in The Winged Ox on their first appearance, it’s fair to say they woke everyone up with a staggering live performance that pulled no punches whatsoever. They then returned in 2024 to headline BAaD – provoking utter chaos with a set that was as visually spectacular as it was sonically. The band’s heady cocktail of post-punk, proto-techno and industrial-tinged 90s rave led to a delirium of sweaty bodies, as they brought it home in riotous fashion. Nowadays, the four-piece represent the Glasgow music scene much further afield – touring across the UK, and making appearances at huge festivals like Glastonbury, TRNSMT, Reading and Leeds and more. They release their much-anticipated debut album ‘ESCALATE’ this week which will propel their momentum even further.
The Big Moon
At the time of their Tenement Trail appearance in 2017, The Big Moon were nominated for that year’s Mercury Prize. The band attracted a massive crowd in The Garage where they performed one fizzing indie anthem after another from their critically acclaimed debut ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ aswell as a memorable cover of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’. With three albums now to their name, they continue to tour with appearances at Glastonbury, TRNSMT, a US tour and more under their belt.
The Blinders
The Blinders played TENEMENT TRAIL in 2018 off the back of their acclaimed debut album ‘Columbia’. The band quickly cultivated a reputation for their firebrand political righteousness, noir melodicism and fierce lyrical intelligence – drawing influence from the likes of Pink Floyd, Iggy Pop, the Amazing Snakeheads and Nick Cave as much as literary touchstones like George Orwell and Jack Kerouac. Since their burst onto the scene, the band have toured the UK and Europe alongside the likes of The Charlatans, The Cribs, The View and Blossoms to name a few, sharing their third album called ‘Beholder’ last year.
Neon Waltz
After seizing the attention of fans and tastemakers alike with their soaring, euphoric brand of indie-rock from the very formative stages of their career, Neon Waltz were one of the main attractions of Tenement Trail 2014. Since then they have cultivated an impressive following all over the UK, taking their stirring sound to venues and festivals far beyond their hometown Caithness. With two albums now out in the world, including ‘Honey Now’ which arrived just a couple of weeks ago, they’ve also supported the likes of Noel Gallagher, DMA’s and more.
The Amazons
2015 Tenement Trail favourites The Amazons have certainly made an impact on the UK music scene since they took the teatime slot at Nice n Sleazys. Undoubtedly a highlight of the 2015 festival, The Amazons’ rise to the top was easy to foresee. Since then, they have toured relentlessly, released three albums, played the TRNSMT Main Stage, secured regular Radio 1 airplay and filled venues up and down the country with their anthemic rock-driven sound.
The Murder Capital
Those who bore witness to The Murder Capital’s set in the Priory in 2018 will have known they were in the presence of a special band. Still only in their formative stages at that point, the Irish post-punk outfit have gone onto release three acclaimed albums ‘When I Have Fear’, ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ and this year’s ‘Blindness’.
Walt Disco
Another Scottish band who have made waves well beyond the confines of their homeland, Walt Disco have made a couple of appearances at TRAIL over the years – most recently in 2023. With two critically acclaimed albums to their name now in ‘Unlearning’ and ‘The Warping’, the latter of which has just been longlisted for The SAY Award 2025, they’re renowned for their electrifying live performances – playing major festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, Austin City Limits, and SXSW. They’ve also been invited to support legendary acts such as Simple Minds, Duran Duran, and Primal Scream—a testament to their growing influence. In 2025, they’ve been their biggest tour yet, with over 30 dates across the US supporting Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, alongside their own headline shows.
Vistas
Edinburgh’s Vistas have certainly captured the imagination of the younger generation with their exuberant, fiercely infectious indie pop anthems. With millions of streams to their name, it was easy to foresee their rapid ascendancy back in the day thanks to massive high-tempo, hook-laden hits like ‘Eighteen’, ‘Calm’ and ‘Like an American’. The past couple of years have seen them tour all over the UK, securing massive support slots with the likes of The Wombats, Fatherson, Circa Waves and more. What’s more, after appearing at Trail a couple of times over the years, they returned to headline in 2022 and 2023 in front of a sold-out Barras. Having released four albums now, including this year’s ‘Cut The Cord’ they’r about to embark on another big UK tour – which will include a date at Glasgow’s SWG3.
Declan Welsh & the Decadent West
Declan Welsh is a bonafide Trail veteran, playing numerous times as a solo artist and with his band The Decadent West, before headlining in 2024. Known for his astute social commentary and melodic punk tunes, the festival has seen him go from humble acoustic beginnings to the formidable frontman he is today. Currently working on his third album, he’s played huge festivals, been shortlisted for the SAY Award and headlined the Barras twice. It’s fair to say those small solo slots in Nice N Sleazys are a thing of the past for this ambitious outfit.
