As the sun finally broke through the clouds, I set off alone up the M8 towards Glasgow. Thanks to the tailbacks due to the ongoing roadworks, it took me an hour and forty minutes to drive the 30ish miles to the science centre carpark- almost twice as long as usual. Have I mentioned that I hate driving in rush hour traffic? My nerves were in tatters! But I’d made it one piece. It was a relief to continue the rest of the journey on foot.

So, where was I off to?

SWG3 to see Welsh rockers, Those Damn Crows!

When I arrived around 6pm a queue was already forming. I’d arranged to join two AB family members for this one and had no trouble finding Mr D and Miss W in line.

The rail Gods weren’t quite on side, but a nice wee spot left of centre one row off rail was perfect for the night.

There were two support bands on the bill for the evening. The first of those was James Bruner who took to the stage at 7:15pm as the room as still filling. Being first support at a Glasgow show, especially if it’s your first ever Glasgow show, can feel like a daunting prospect to bands but James Bruner owned that stage as if he were headlining Hampden Park! His stage look (jeans, boots, biker jacket with no shirt underneath and some scarves around his waist) might be a tad cliched for some but he pulled it off beautifully. Unfamiliar with his music, I was impressed with what I heard (I later bought his soon to be released album at the merch stall which he kindly signed for me) Is James Bruner a solo act with a backing band or are James Bruner a band? That remains unclear but he is flanked by some superb musicians especially Zach Mears on guitar. Great opening set and definitely a name to watch out for in future.

Next up were Canadians, Autumn Kings. Again, this was new band to me but right from the off these guys had me hooked. This was their Glasgow debut and by the end of their opening song, Sleep When I’m Dead if my memory serves me right, they had won over the Scottish crowd. It’s hard to pigeonhole these guys. There’s a lot of Linkin’ Park influences in there but also a lot of Metallica and perhaps a smidgeon of Eminem… there was also a smattering of Ricky Martin. A surprisingly infectious rendition of Livin’ La Vida Loca revealed meany musical guilty pleasures as the Glasgow rock choir passionately sang along word perfect to it. It’s unusual for a support act, let alone one making their debut in Glasgow, to be honoured with the city’s familiar chant of “Here We! Here We! Here We …..” you know the rest, but Autumn Kings earned it fair and square. I always feel that covering a Linkin Park song is a bit of a risk, but these guys nailed it with their rendition of Bleed It Out. Highlight song for me was Aliens thought when every fan in the room was bouncing along with the band. Awesomeness!  Glasgow needs a headline show, guys! (hint hint)

With SWG3 full to the rafters, when the lights dimmed shortly before 9pm, the welcome offered to Those Damn Crows was deafening. This crowd was already on fire! The biggest cheers went to front man, Shane Greenhall. The band opened their ninety-minute set with Dancing with the enemy from their current album and set the bar high from the off. Awesome start!

A couple of songs later, Shane “fluffed” the start of Glass Heart but calmly brushed it off and the band sailed flawlessly through at the second time of asking.

Those Damn Crows fans are a passionate bunch. It had been almost two years to the day since the band had last played at SWG3 and Shane extended the band’s thanks to everyone for selling out the show.

The band are currently touring their #1 album, God Shaped Hole so it came as no surprise that eight out of the seventeen songs they played were taken from it.

One I had been looking forward to hearing live was Dreaming. The Gremlins weren’t done with poor Shane who “fluffed” the start twice. This time he was good naturedly heckled by the Glasgow fans (Honest, they were encouraging him and showing their love and not ridiculing him) Moments like that help make a gig for me as they prove two key things – it’s live and that these guys on stage are human just like the rest of us.

It’s hard to pick a highlight moment of the night for this gig as there were so many.

The Night Train mid-set was certainly one of those. After opening up to the fans about personal loss, Shane’s vocal on this emotionally evocative song came straight from the heart adding a rawness to this beautiful song.

I’m pretty sure Shane was praying to the Muses to be kind to him as he stood alone on stage a couple of songs later to play Still. Love this song.

Still- Those Damn Crows @ SWG3 Glasgow 21/10/25

A piano sat to the far side of the stage from where I was standing. It came as no surprise to the fans when Shane took his seat behind it that the ever-popular Blink of an Eye was next on the setlist. Having started the song as a solo, the front man was soon joined by the rest of the band – Ian “Shiner” Thomas on guitar, David Winchurch on guitar, Lloyd Wood on Bass and Ronnie Huxford on drums.

This show had flown by way too fast and with an early curfew looming (Shane said it would cost them £2000 if they broke curfew and that they didn’t love us that much LOL) all too soon the end of the set was in sight. The Crows closed out their set- no time wasted with encores – with one of my favourites, This Time I’m Ready followed by the aptly titled See You Again. The crowd almost lifted the roof off SWG3 throughout this one. Spectacular end to an awesome night.

They’ll certainly see me again next time.