Live Review | Fatherson | Glasgow O2 ABC

Headlining a sold out show at Glasgow’s O2 ABC is a major goal for any rising band within the Scottish scene.

Fatherson accomplished this on Saturday night, a day after releasing their second album ‘Open Book’.

Supporting on the night were The Xcerts, giving a great high energy show, performing hits from their three album repertoire. Frontman Murray Macleod did a fantastic job engaging the crowd, especially during fan favourite ‘Slackerpop’.

Fatherson launched their set with a very visually engaging intro with title song ‘Open Book’, which saw a single spotlight shine through the curtain focussing on frontman Ross Leighton, captivating the audience from the onset. As he kicked into the chorus, the curtain dropped and sent the venue into a frenzy which never seemed to drop.

Particular audience highlights seemed to come from tracks ‘I Like Not Knowing’ and ‘Hometown’ where verses were sang back to the band with gusto. Even lesser known songs from their new album, such as ‘Forest’, were well taken.

The range of individuals within the crowd also spoke to how well Fatherson’s music is received. From screaming youngsters to bearded twenty-somethings to people that could be their parents – everyone seemed happy to be there, enjoying the same experience of a band that spoke to them.

Fatherson’s musicality throughout the evening could not be faulted and Leighton’s vocals were fantastic, not dropping a single note on the night.

They seemed to have a great night while carrying out something they had probably wanted to do for a long time, taking the crowd with them on their journey. The band’s general happiness with the show was evident at the end of the night, especially when taking pictures of the crowd to remember their success by. This, and the permanent smiles seen on bassist Marc Strain’s face throughout the show.

Overall, it was a really special night and I was glad to be there to witness the rise of this talented band. Considering the successes of their singles ‘Always’ and ‘Beyond the point of Breaking’, taken from their new release, it is clear that with the remainder 2016, Fatherson will make it their year.

If you are going to T in the Park or Bestival this summer, make sure and head along to their sets – you truly won’t be disappointed!




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