SCOTLAND’S LATEST INDIE SENSATION, SWIM SCHOOL CONQUER HISTORIC HOXTON HALL ON FIRST HEADLINE TOUR
Hailing from Edinburgh, Swim School has become one of the most exciting Scottish bands on the indie scene. They’ve made huge festival appearances, released four EPs and joined The Amazons on a recent tour. 2024 is now theirs. This is the year of Swim School. It’s what they’ve been building up to, as they release the Seeing It Now EP and hit the road on their first headline tour.
There’s hype growing behind this Scottish trio, fronted by Alice Johnson and backed by Lewis Bunting (guitar) and Billy McMahon (drums). Their arrival in the capital was not to be underestimated. And by the end of the night, it was bigger than we could’ve ever imagined.
After an incredible performance from Lizzie Esau, who’s beginning to garner attention in her own right, Swim School strut onto stage. Ready to make their mark on the historic Hoxton Hall. A venue that’s stood the test of time and dates back to the 1800’s and was now about to feel the wrath of Scottish indie-rock.
“I’m a bit speechless, last time we played in London there were 107 people. We’re not too sure what you’re doing here.” smiles Alice, one of the most enthusiastic, genuine and down-to-earth vocalists.
Adoring fans let out a tremendous cheer, waving handmade signs and a colourful Scottish flag. These are people of all ages, from all over Europe. People who had queued up eagerly well before opening times, donned in Swim School themed outfits. People who were kind and compassionate, and there for one another.
Passionate concert-goers (and avid fans) have, in recent times, been tarnished with an obsessive and toxic brush. At Swim School, it’s never more apparent how these statements are far from true. And is a testament to the band’s relationship with fans. Alice herself asking someone to check her outfit midway through the set, “I can always count on you” she grins.
Playing material from their growing catalogue, the show flitted from chaotic to dreamy and back again across 13 songs. Massive anthems Bored, See Red and Delirious ignited endless bouncing, with the latter involving Alice, as she entered the crowd to mosh. A moment that’ll remain imprinted in the minds of lucky fans, more so when this band inevitably play venues much larger than here.
BBC Radio 1-backed Give Me A Reason Why, another recent one, has earned a place on the setlist as a fan-favourite already. No doubt down to their ability to blend enormous hooks and choruses. This one has a mammoth chorus, embodying a life of its own onstage and unleashing a wired energy.
Softer tracks Don’t Leave Me Behind and Kill You showed how versatile Swim School are, particularly when it comes to commanding a room. Don’t Leave Me Behind is a personal favourite, and translates gorgeously into a live environment.
It was To Grow, however, that ended up shining the most. A track from the most recent EP, it has a special place in their heart, written about someone they’d lost. They asked for a quiet environment before playing, which triggered a shushing frenzy. It’s safe to say this lightened the mood and made Alice, Lewis and Billy laugh and feel at ease.
As the song reached the chorus, every word was sung back. Just as they’d planned, after setting a challenge to learn the words on social media. What culminated was one of the most beautiful scenes of this evening, even resulting in the band shedding a tear.
Elsewhere, there was a heartfelt appreciation to bandmates from Alice: “I was the only girl in a guitar group back in college, and almost dropped out. Lewis and Billy are my brothers and I want to say thank you”. This wasn’t the only heart-warming band interaction. Laughing, compliments and jokes filled every intermission. You can’t deny that these are three best friends, having the time of their lives.
Swim School’s approach to live shows is refreshing and invigorating: “We were gonna do a walk on walk off but f**k it. This is our last song, please go mental.” announces Alice, before thrashing into anyway, a deep cut that closes the evening more than perfectly.
“London we f**cking love every single one of you.” and the three of them hug tightly to a roaring applause. Waving hands turn into hearts and roars turn into smiles. We love you too, Swim School, you have no idea how big you’re about to become. And you deserve all of it.
If you haven’t seen Swim School live, don’t miss out. Catch the remaining tour dates, watch them supporting The Royston Club or find them at festivals this Summer.
Their massive new EP, Seeing It Now, is out now on all streaming platforms.
Swim School played:
- BORED
- outside
- kill you
- don’t leave me behind
- over now
- everything you wanted
- delirious
- let me inside your head
- To Grow
- Seeing It Now
- Give Me A Reason Why
- see red
- anyway
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