ALT BLK ERA BRING CHAOS, CHARISMA AND PURE ENERGY TO GLASGOW
LIVE REVIEW | ALT BLK ERA | G2 (THE GARAGE), GLASGOW | 24th May 2026 by Charlotte Cairnie
There’s something special about seeing a band play a city for the very first time. You can feel the excitement from both sides before the first note has even been played. That was exactly the atmosphere when ALT BLK ERA finally made their Glasgow debut, and what a way to introduce themselves.
From the moment they walked on stage, there was an undeniable confidence about them. They didn’t waste a second getting the crowd moving, launching straight into a set packed with energy, attitude and songs that somehow manage to hit just as hard live as they do through headphones.
The drummer, Sam Brooks deserves a huge mention because the passion behind every beat was impossible to ignore. Watching them play was almost as entertaining as listening, throwing every ounce of energy into the performance without ever missing a beat while singing along to every tune. It was one of those performances where you couldn’t help but keep looking back to the kit because there was just so much happening.
Guitarist Alex Plant was equally captivating. Every riff landed perfectly and there was a real intensity behind the performance that elevated every song. Rather than simply standing in one spot and playing, he was dancing about the stage, had insane facial expressions which told us he was feeing the music and added personality to every moment on stage, making it impossible to take your eyes off him too.
The setlist itself was brilliantly put together. There was a nice balance of explosive moments with opportunities for the crowd to catch their breath before launching straight back into another song bursting with energy again. Everyone was jumping for ‘My Drummer’s Girlfriend’ and ‘Run Rabbit’ and then swayed for ‘Tissues’ and ‘Straight to Heart’. Throughout it all, there wasn’t a point where the momentum disappeared and before anyone realised it, the night had flown by
One of the standout moments of the night wasn’t just the music but the connection. Their crowd work felt completely natural it never felt forced or rehearsed. Whether they were chatting between songs, laughing with fans or encouraging everyone to get involved they made the venue feel surprisingly intimate. By the end of the night, it genuinely felt less like watching a band perform and more like being part of one big shared experience.
The Garage crowd definitely played their part like they always do. Every word was getting thrown back, every heavy drop was met with headbangs and jumps and the energy barely dipped from start to finish. It’s always nice to be in a Glasgow crowd as we always give bands such a warm welcome on their first visit, and ALT BLK ERA clearly appreciated every second of it. What was especially nice was there were groups of all ages giving it their all, dancing away, showinh that music really is for everyone, everyone no matter their age can go to a gig and just let go.
If this Glasgow show was anything to go by, ALT BLK ERA have already built themselves a loyal Scottish fanbase. Their combination of explosive musicianship, infectious personalities and genuine appreciation for the audience made for an unforgettable first visit. Here’s hoping it won’t be long before they make their way back to Glasgow because if their show at The Garage is something to go by they would definitely do well in a bigger venue such as the O2 Academy.
