Following the release of their debut album Identity Crisis, WSTR have set back out on the road. Being both a huge fan of both WSTR themselves and their latest era, I was more than ecstatic to see they were back in Glasgow. The line up was new to me so having very limited knowledge on each support band, I started my night off unaware of what lay ahead. Combining the intimacy of The Classic Grand, the insane energy each band brought with them (both on, and quite literally off of the stage), with a chaotic crowd who refused to quit was nothing short of genius. It truly brought the local pop-punk scene together as an audience and community.
Unexpectedly, the night was on a high since the very beginning as Hey Charlie took the stage. Although the venue seemed sparse of an audience, nothing could stop the energetic grunge trio as they dove straight into their first song, “She Looks Like A Dreamer”. Seeing such a daring, all female band bring both style and chaos to the stage left me in utter awe with a sudden urge to mosh furiously. They definitely used the lack of barrier to their advantage, leaning in close to now entranced spectators, much like myself. This is a band I cannot recommend enough as their self-driven attitude and heart on sleeve songs are the true meaning of empowerment, making them a strong newcomer to my daily music rotation.
Still buzzing with energy, the wait for the next band seemed like torture but it was worth the while. Between You And Me were next to brace the stage and you bet they kept the crowd going. Their stage presence made their performance mesmerising to watch as frontman, Jake Wilson, bounced and flew around the room, even swinging from the ceiling bannisters of the venue. Their stage presence was more than enough to draw the audience towards them. Before we knew it, a hurricane of a pit formed and the whole venue seemed to be moving. Their upbeat songs and thrilling stunts truly made a mark on the timeline of the gig itself while proving that Between You And Me were not your usual pop-punk band. If anything, they may soon become your new obsession!
Unusually, the night had a sudden moment of calm. A brief pause from the madness, as WSTR‘s set was introduced by an ominous audio clip and mellow lighting. Smoke machines took over the stage as each member came on one by one, creating an anticipation like no other. Almost immediately, the band launched into the upbeat pop-punk WSTR fans know and love, throwing the crowd into an utter frenzy. By this point, the venue seemed to have peaked past its 500 capacity as the room was filled to the brim with eager concert goers and this was nowhere near the climax of the night.
Playing songs both old and new, the audience hung on their every word, following their every move. They clearly knew their fans well, taking the time to truly appreciate the atmosphere, audience and everyone who made their tour which put me at further ease. They gave myself and others a feeling of participation as their gratitude was made clear. Though there were heart to heart moments, nothing could bring down the static energy binding in the crowd. As WSTR left the stage for the first time, the crowd chanted in unison, eagerly awaiting their return.
The second set caused nothing but insanity as Sammy launched right back into the show with latest single “Crisis”, showing the crowd no mercy. It didn’t take long before the venue was in an uproar. Pits with no point of return, breathless lungs and hoarse throats were what truly made the show their own, hypnotising the audience once more with their astounding energy and stage presence. I often find many artists nowadays invest most of their time and energy into writing and producing their music, but it was clear WSTR had truly pulled out all of the stops to make this show a night to remember. Making a lasting impression upon myself and many others, the Identity Crisis Tour will now remain one of the best shows I have had the pleasure of experiencing.
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