GIRLS TO THE FRONT: NORTHERN EXPOSURE LIVE RETURNS FOR ROUND 3

On Saturday night we headed along to Glasgow’s Classic Grand for the 3rd edition of our very own Northern Exposure Live. A collaboration with Northern Exposure Magazine and Glasgow promoters B12 Entertainment, the Scottish showcase is curated to provide a platform for a handpicked selection of rising local talent – shining the torch on them on a more national scale.

After a successful debut in October 2025 and a pop-leaning follow-up in February, round 3 saw the limelight shift firmly to the women of the scene. With an all-female leading line-up, the message was clear: girls to the front.

With five incredible acts taking to the Classic Grand it was an early kick off with doors opening at 6.30pm sharp.

Saint Sappho

First up, one of our most talked about Scottish bands of the moment, Saint Sappho. Unfortunately, the excitement was as short lived as their set. After just one song, the dreamy pop-rock duo Tammy and Zoe announced that, due to sudden illness they couldn’t continue. A moment of confusion rippled through the room before the gutting realisation set in that the show was over. Even in those fleeting first few minutes though, Saint Sappho proved exactly why they were on this line-up and we wish them the speediest recovery.

With over half an hour to kill before the next scheduled act, the unexpected pause allowed bands and guests to mingle, the atmosphere actually heightening as the sound of voices buzzed around the room.

Brielle

Next up were Glasgow’s own Brielle. Appearing as a trio, the band was led by powerhouse vocalist Beth Simpson. A natural performer with an effortlessly cool stage presence, Beth roamed the stage with commanding confidence. The passion ripped through her vocals, and when she jumped on the keys, it amplified the band’s performance to its peak. With the band locking down a solid foundation, Beth was free to remain the focal point throughout. Closing out with their cover of Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know’, Brielle firmly cemented their position as a band rapidly climbing the ranks.

Red Vanilla

Hailing from Dundee – Forfar, actually – were the recently downsized duo Red Vanilla. Anchored by the energy of Anna Forsyth (vocals/guitar) and guitarist George, the pair had just dropped their second EP Where I Should Be the previous day and used their set to present the release in its full live glory.

They may be a two-piece, but their energy is that of a band twice their size; refusing to stand still for the duration of their 30-minute set. Personality shines through Anna, her infectious combination of endearment and attitude was captivating – always having nothing but fun on stage. While the duo format works well (read what Anna had to say about their changed line-up here), you can’t knock the power of having a full kit behind a band this loud, and I’d love to see them bring a drummer on future live shows to really lean into that volume.

Regardless, I personally love this band. Having joined the same management roster as the likes of seasoned players Placebo and rising duo Dea Matrona, the future is looking exceptionally bright for Red Vanilla.

The High Priestess

By this point in the showcase, the dynamics within the room were heating up and the floor was filling fast – many of whom made a beeline down the front for The High Priestess. Easily a high point of the show, the band – who had travelled up from Dumfries – proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

Drenched with a charming dark-gothic aesthetic and matching grungy rock tones, The High Priestess didn’t leave a soul untouched. Their lead singer was magnetic in every sense; prowling on and off the stage, her movements felt possessed in the most incredible way. Then there were her vocals – hauntingly resonant and enriched with a heartfelt gravel, complete with thick timbre tones akin to classically trained baritone. However, it was the chemistry of the four of them on stage that brought the whole show, their energy mirroring each other throughout.

Flame

It was a tough act to follow, but Edinburgh’s Flame rose to the challenge, delivering with both precision and passion. Led by the ultimate hype-girl, Fiammetta Nisio (aka Flame), the front woman embodied everything these community-building shows represent. Spotted down the front vibing to every single band on the line-up as if she were discovering gold for the first time, she didn’t just preach the ethos of the scene – she lived it, and that was before her band even hit the stage.

For their first Glasgow headline show, their enthusiasm filled the room with a genuine buzz. The five-piece performed like a perfectly rehearsed unit; the kind of band chemistry that others spend years trying to cultivate, Flame have mastered within a single year of playing together. Fusing elements of indie rock, folk, funk, and pop into one well-rounded sound, the results are enthralling. With new music reportedly on the horizon and a coveted slot at the King Tut’s Summer Nights series, Flame are only just getting sparked up.

It’s nights and events like this where community truly prevails. While the “hard numbers” might suggest a quiet evening, the actual impact runs much deeper than the show itself; it acts as a catalyst for discovery and longer-term connection. This isn’t a failure, but rather a reflection of the systemic challenges facing emerging artists across the country.

Despite offering incredible value for money, drawing a crowd is a gruelling game. It’s a reality many bands and promoters are hesitant to admit, as they naturally rely on “hype” to drive sales. The harsh truth is that competition is fierce – especially on a Saturday night in Glasgow. With several similar shows happening within walking distance, the audience was spread thin – even one band noted fans rushing straight from a nearby gig just to catch their set.

Success in this scene isn’t just about a head-count but by the experiences and the community built in the process way beyond the final curfew. And on that note, when’s round 4??