The Commoners, "Ghosts on the Highway" Tour. Stereo, Glasgow. Friday 5th December 2025.

I nearly bailed on this gig. I wasn't feeling 100%, my stomach churning, like something bad was going to come out (again). I'd arrived too late to join my mates in the pub, so I messaged them to meet me at the doors (I was holding the tickets). For the next twenty-five minutes, I had to dodge drunks, beggars and addicts, who staggered, wanted money and acted unhinged, respectively, before they eventually appeared. By that time, the support act was already on stage, and the crowd had filled the front half of the room. 

Another gig with shit photos and no videos.

 

But that isn't why you go to gigs, I hear you say. It's for the atmosphere and the music. 

That's true, and it's the reason I stayed (plus I was their lift home). 

The support act, Candar, was okay. A bit like a reverse White Stripes (girl on guitar, guy on drums), but without the cracking riffs and unstoppable energy. They were young, so still time to grow (or give up).

 

The Commoners were excellent, once I'd accepted the poor view. The last time I saw them was at the Maid of Stone festival, where they didn't impress me. They are not a mid-afternoon outdoor band. It's a more magical experience seeing them under the artificial lights, the sound bouncing off the walls, coming at you from all angles, not that you can tell because it's so loud. Their groove gets under your skin. You find yourself swaying to the rhythm, your head rocking from side to side. You feel young again, alive. The best feeling in the world (with your clothes on, I'm told). 

They didn't play for very long, just under an hour and a half, but it was enough. I got annoyed at myself for believing the 'one last song' routine, having failed to check the setlist in advance. After the show, the lead singer waited on the stairs and greeted everyone, shaking hands, posing for photographs and signing merchandise. Nice to see, and everyone appreciated him taking the time to do it, except the venue staff, who insisted we leave as quickly as possible. I always thought the curfew meant the band had to finish at that time, not that the venue had to be cleared. 

We discussed Scotland's World Cup group on the way home. There's hope, and there's Scotland. 

Setlist (may be inaccurate - taken from previous gigs on this tour as no listing available for this one)
Gone Without Warning
The Way I Am
Runnin' Blind
Just Watch Me
Devil Teasin' Me
Too Soon to Know You
Restless
See You Again
Alive
Searching (For Something) (New song)
Ghosts On The Highway
Fill My Cup
Find a Better Way

Encore:
Shake You Off

Ticket Price: £22 x 3 plus £1 transaction fee = £67 from Gigantic

From the band's FB page

Band backstage photo from their FB page.