Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Those Damn Crows "God Shaped Hole" UK Tour 2025, SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow. Tuesday 21st October, 2025

After last night's pop warblings, I needed a palate cleanser, and Those Damn Crows were on hand to provide such a feast.

I snagged a position in front of the sound desk, using the barrier to support my back. What a relief that was! Unfortunately, the space on either side was swiftly swallowed up before any of my pals arrived.

The first support act was James Bruner. I'd seen him support TDC in Edinburgh, and my opinion of him didn't change. He still looks like a wee boy playing with the big boys. They are talented musicians. He's the frontman who likes to show off his front by stripping to the waist. It's not a sight to swoon over. Hard pass!

Next up were Autumn Kings. From the off, I thought I could hear a Linkin Park influence, with the guitarist rapping opposite the singer. When they played an odd, heavy version of Livin' La Vida Loca, he admitted it might split the audience. It did. Their lead singer's voice wasn't strong enough to carry the melody. Their own songs were fine. The audience came alive during their cover of LP's Bleed It Out, cementing my previous suspicion over their influences. By the time they finished their set, I was into them. They need a stronger lead singer, though.

Up until then, I had enjoyed the luxury of a small space in front of me. Needless to say, as the place filled up before TDC took to the stage, that luxury was stolen away, this time by a petite, older lady with silver hair. Not a problem, I thought. She was so small, the top of her head only came up as high as my nipples, although her hair did keep brushing against my arms. I expected her bob to blow up like a dandelion head from all the static generated, but she must have been using a lot of product. I did feel slightly sad for her when Alex returned from his drinks run, leaving her literally in his shadow. Her appeals to those around her fell on deaf ears as he had been there first, and there was no space for her to shift over. Rather than leave, she decided to use her phone as an occasional periscope.

The Crows were in immense form tonight, if a bit ragged at times. Shane, the lead singer, fluffed the intro to Dreaming twice, much to the audience's amusement. I'd already accepted that videoing any songs was off the table, which allowed me to engage with the music. There's no better feeling than when a song inhabits your body, the bass and drumbeat taking control of your movement, making you feel alive and in the moment. It doesn't matter who is around you or what they are doing; the music has claimed you. Co-codamol helps too, to stop that movement turning into pain. My hip ain't what it used to be, hence the barrier relief.

I so wish TDC would book the Barrowland, rather than (almost) fill SWG3. I know it's a big step up in ticket sales, but their music deserves to be played in a greater venue. Maybe if they assembled a stronger support bill, they'd gain the confidence to proceed, but I suspect they fear the financial loss if the gamble didn't pay off. Shane complained tonight that the cost of running past the 22:30 curfew was two grand. I think everyone would have been happy to chip in an extra £2 if it meant they'd played on till midnight.

Come on, boys, book the Barrowland next time!

Setlist:

Dancing With the Enemy

Man on Fire

No Surrender

Find a Way

Spit & Choke

Turn It Around

Glass Heart

Dreaming

The Night Train

Who Did It