From Manchester’s much loved Neighbourhood Festival, Liverpool’s early season Sound City to November’s Live at Leeds; the multi-venue festival is the ultimate hub for new music discovery. But longevity for these style of events are hard to maintain: between rising touring costs, the decline of grassroots venues and the long-term impact of Covid-19 restrictions, many fail to find the endurance required to last. However, one festival which has survived one of the most challenging decades for live music ever is Glasgow’s Tenement Trail.

The offspring of DIY new music platform Tenement TV, the first trail took place across the city’s Sauchiehall Street region in 2013 before moving to its current East End Barrowlands District in 2019. Over the years they have hosted the most exciting new bands and artists on the Scottish music scene and beyond. Alumni include Yungblood, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Dream Wife and many, many more. Personally, I was a little late to jump on the Tenement Trail wagon and it wasn’t until 2022 that I attended my first trail. I was swiftly hooked on the event, and have returned every year since, including the still trending 2024 edition last weekend (12/10/24).

SLIX

Despite being an “all day” event, my arrival is on the late side but I finally descend on the main venue of the day, Barrowland Ballroom, just in time for one of my favourite rising Scottish bands, Slix take the infamous ballroom stage. Having watched Slix grow over the past couple of years has been nothing short of inspiring. Time and time again, the Greenock five piece bring energy like few others to their performance. Bouncing across their short 30 minute set, the guys don’t hesitate to break a sweat. They look at home on the Barrowlands stage and have proudly filled the ballroom floor incredibly well – especially given the fierce stage clashes elsewhere. Performing live favourites such as ‘CHONGA‘, ‘Maga‘ and ‘Current Affairs‘ amongst others before exclusively announcing their biggest headline show next year at Glasgow’s Garage.

What I really love about Slix is their quintessential “Scottishness“. By that, I don’t mean they appear in tartan cladded overalls, or sing about the rolling hills and spring water lochs, I mean the authenticity and endearment found in young working class groups across Scotland’s schemes; those trying living the best life they can against the limitations of living in a small town and doing it anyway. It is that relatability which is resonates so well with their audiences and why they sell out every headline show they perform this side of the border.

FRIGHT YEARS

Next highlight of the line up comes from Edinburgh quartet, Fright Years. Uncomfortably packing out the (tiny) Winged Ox bar, there was a general consensus in the room that calling full capacity was significantly overdue. After a few songs the ‘one in, one out’ policy finally appears to be taking place and I finally find a comfortable space to take in the music. Fright Years are one of those bands who just continue to get better. Still relatively new on the rising music scene, their strong turnout is a testament to their growing popularity. The band are meticulously tight this evening, but the show really belongs to front woman Jules, who’s strong set of lungs deliver a spine tingling performance. For fans of bands such as Pale Waves, Fright Years will offer something comfortably familiar yet fresh and desirable.

PARLIAMO

Stepping in a couple of songs late for Parliamo performing at St Luke’s next door leaves no time to waste in bar queues, instead it’s straight to politely nudging my way forward for a better view. I last caught Parliamo a few weeks ago and was suitably impressed, so given the opportunity for another round, I didn’t need much encouragement. Round 2 was even more impressive with the crowd appearing much more “up for it’ than the first time – granted that was an early support slot. There were clearly fans in the old church building, as the crowd bounced throughout the entire set; pleading for more once it was over. Pulling together elements of indie, rock, soul and funk, intertwined with notes of Stone Roses style psychedelia, Parliamo’s sound is sweetly nostalgic. On stage as a six piece tonight, their presence is captivating and capable of a much larger stage.

Leaving St Luke’s, there was a chunky queue building outside the venue for Winged Ox headliners, Lacuna. A band well known within the Glasgow live scene, the six piece alt-folk rock band were ones I was hoping to catch, yet unfortunately slipped the schedule due to my fan girl commitment elsewhere – Declan Welsh and The Decadent West‘s return to the Barrowlands.

Faced with another queue and drizzly winds outside, I instantly felt at home walking up those infamous ballroom steps. Ask most Scottish music fans (or even those across the globe) about the Barrowlands and you will generally be met with nothing but nostalgic glory and praise for the tattered venue. There’s something special about the building, which has seen minimal upgrade work since it’s reopening over 60 years ago. In most spaces, that approach would be seen as neglectful but not here. The Barra’s is more than just a music venue, it’s a living, breathing (well, bouncing) character which holds nothing but sweet memories for those who are fortunate enough to have walked up those steps. You really can’t beat the charm it holds, and none of it is held back for Declan Welsh’s Tenement Trail headline slot.

DECLAN WELSH AND THE DECADENT WEST

Opening with ‘No Fun‘, the dancefloor bounce is rapidly put into motion. Performing tracks from across their extensive discography including songs from both studio albums, some of the main highlights of the show came from the band’s latest single efforts. Released just the day before, ‘Inaction‘ gains a solid crowd response who are already singing along in masses. The energy on stage reflects right back to the bouncing audience who are in motion throughout with plenty of crowd surfing and pits being initiated too. As a performer, Declan Welsh is a unique talent full of passion and theatrical flair. He speaks straight from the heart and captures every emotion as raw as he did the first time he performed it.

“FREE, FREE PALESTINE! FREE, FREE PALESTINE!” the crowd roar back at Declan during ‘Walk A Mile In Gaza‘. A highly vocal activist for a Palestine ceasefire for many years, Declan never misses the opportunity to advocate for those without one in war and deprived communities and tonight was no exception.

A mention needs to be credited to Glasgow based rapper Paque who undeniably stole one of the best moments if the festival when he joined Declan and his seven piece band on stage for ‘Aw The Time‘; giving the fan favourite track a fresh lick on the night.

Declan Welsh and The Decadent West’s headline performance this evening was one of those which you just never want to end. The music and the atmosphere were just so on point that I think everybody in that room could have bounced for hours more. Unfortunately, the set did have to come to a close, but thankfully, the night wasn’t quite over yet. A leisurely stroll to BaaD (Barra’s Art and Design) and VLURE are currently raising havoc on Glasgow with their EDM, Prodigy-esque good beats.

VLURE

Not one for the faint hearted (or photosensitive at least!) VLURE have been a band on my new music radar for a couple of years now. With their electrifying, high energy stage appearance intertwined with subtle hints of Scottish patriotism, their headline slot will no undoubtedly go down as one of those “you had to be there” sort of Tenement Trail moments. Watching from the balcony above and looking down on the crowd chaos, I was in awe of the mayhem. Spotting Glasgow’s own psweatpants bouncing around in the sweaty pits, I think everybody was equally delighted when the rapper jumped on stage towards the end of the set. A stunning set from a special band, Tenement Trail 2024 ends on a spectacular high.

VLURE (credit Cameron Brisbane)

Tenement Trail will return in 2025 on Saturday October 11th with early bird tickets on sale NOW!

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