On a mild but dull Saturday afternoon, Boy Child and I set off on the 3:36 train to Glasgow.

As we walked up Renfield Street towards Sauchiehall Street an hour later, the city was bustling with a bizarre mix of shopper and party animals and delivery guys on bikes.

Finally, we reached our venue for the evening, Glasgow’s iconic Garage. It was just after 5pm. So, who were we out so early to see?

Wales’s finest, Cardinal Black. And the reason for the early start was that we were also doing their VIP Experience which included attending part of the band’s soundcheck etc.

Normally, I would say that what happens at the VIP Experience stays at the VIP Experience but I’m going to make a small exception here purely because the boys did play this song again a few hours later. The VIPs heard two full songs and the second of those was the stunning Morning Light. It also gave us a sneak preview of the evening’s support act, Nathan O’Regan.

Morning Light – Cardinal Black from their soundcheck @ The Garage Glasgow 11/10/25

I breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the VIP Experience when we were told that we could stay in the room rather than trailing all the way down the stairs just to turn and trek all the way back up a few minutes later.

A little strategic positioning while the last of the VIPs got their photo with the band meant that we easily secured centre front on the rail for the night. Happy days.

By the time Nathan O’Regan stepped out on stage, shortly after 7:15pm, the room was filling up nicely. Hailing originally from Cork, ROI and currently a resident in Belfast, NI, Nathan swiftly charmed the Scottish crowd with his combination of music an stories. I can honestly say he’s one of the best support acts that I have seen in a very long time. Immediately likeable and relatable, he wears his heart on his sleeve and pours that heart and soul into his songs and their back story. He missed things up a little by adding in one cheeky cover that had everyone in the room singing along – ACDC’s Thunderstruck. An inspired choice! The only song from the all too short set that I captured was Baby Steps. Watch out for this guy. He deserves to go far.

Baby Steps – Nathan O’Regan @ The Garage, Glasgow 11/10/25

At 8pm, with the capacity crowd suitable warmed up, the lights dimmed, the intro tape played and within a few moments amid a thunderous welcome. Cardinal Black stepped out on stage to open their fourteen-song set with Ride Home. Having checked that we were ready, a magical evening of music commenced.

Ride Home- Cardinal Black @ The Garage Glasgow 11/10/25

Sometimes at a show you get an inkling that you are experiencing something just a little bit special. By the time we reached the fourth song of the night, Holding My Breath, it was clear that this was one of those occasions.

Holding My Breath – Cardinal Black @ The Garage Glasgow 11/10/25

Both guitarist Chris Buck and front man Tom Hollister had confessed to feeling under the weather at the soundcheck but there was little sign of their lurgy in the set. Drummer Adam Roberts was keeping his share of the lurgy to himself at the back of stage behind his shades.

 I think that this was the sixth time that I’ve seen Cardinal Black play and I accept that I may be more than a little biased in their favour, but these guys just keep raising the bar every time. The venues are gradually getting larger too. Chris commented that the garage was the largest so far on the tour. And they managed to sell it out. Much as I want to see these guys reach the heights that they deserve, I’ll miss the intimacy of shows this size.

With two full studio albums plus an EP and a live album under their belts, Cardinal Black have plenty songs in their armoury now to build their set around.

When I saw Tom pick up his acoustic guitar, I knew what song was coming next- Adeline, the song he wrote about missing his little girl while out on the road. Tom’s another one who wears his heart on his sleeve, and he got emotional singing this one.

Adeline – Cardinal Black @ The Garage Glasgow 11/10/25

A couple of songs later, just as we had heard and seen during the soundcheck, Nathan O’Regan joined the boys on stage for Morning Light, from their current album Midnight At The Valencia. The fans, having taken Nathan to their hearts earlier, loved every second of the performance.

Personally, I really like to see the headliners incorporate the support band into their set where possible and on this occasion it worked beautifully.

Oh, this show was flying by way too fast, with the ten o’clock curfew looming large on the horizon.

Your Spark and the ever popular Tell Me How It Feels followed.

I’m not a musician so I cannot express eloquently enough just how talented a guitarist Chris Buck is. I’m a music fan and I could watch and listen to him play all night. Watching Chris lose himself in the solos is a thing of sonic beauty. Seeing him smiling and laughing with Tom and the others throughout the set is equally beautiful. Such a talented musician and really nice guy.

I love Tom Hollister’s voice, even when it is a little huskier thanks to his lingering lurgy, and the larger-than-life personality he brings to the stage. It’s that spark that I worry may get lost a bit if the venues get too much bigger.

I don’t mean to leave Adam Robers out here. He’s a skilled drummer, presiding this evening at the back behind his shades, and is the engine room of the band along with touring bassist Sam.

Hiding out at the back, barely visible from where I was standing, was keyboard player Michael. He got his moment in the spotlight with his extended solo during Warm Love, the penultimate song of the main set. Stunning stuff that the rest of the band enjoyed as much as the fans.

Where Do You Go brought the main set to an energetic, party atmosphere climax….WOW!

 Warm Love + Where Do You Go – Cardinal Black @ The Garage Glasgow 11/10/25

After a moment or two off stage, Chris and Tom returned to perform the first song of the band’s two-song encore, Push Pull. Chris opened up and told the back story of this spine tinglingly beautiful song as he casually noodled away creating the perfect atmosphere for it. I love this song. So much emotion to it.

As the rest of the band returned to the stage, the evening was brought to a close with another of my favourites, Tied Up In Blue.

And just like that, the last note rang out, picks were tossed (Boy Child got one) , setlists were passed out (Boy Child caught Tom’s from Chris for me), drumsticks were tossed and the magic was over until next time.

As we all made our way towards the exit, there was a medical emergency in the room. I hope whoever it was who took ill is OK. Kudos to the staff for reacting so promptly.