Some bands become linked to a particular moment in your life. No matter how many years pass, hearing one of their songs instantly transports you back to when you first discovered them. For me, Turin Brakes are one of those bands.
I first saw them live at Glasgow’s Barrowland shortly after the release of their debut album. Back then they were one of the most exciting new acts around, blending folk, indie and acoustic influences into a sound that felt refreshingly different from many of their contemporaries. The years may have passed, but the quality of their songwriting has remained remarkably consistent.
In fact, it was a new song that brought me back this time. After hearing World Like That, I immediately started checking tour dates and made sure I secured a ticket for their Edinburgh show. One of the pleasures of following a band over a long period is discovering that they still have the ability to surprise you. Rather than simply relying on nostalgia, Turin Brakes continue to produce music that stands comfortably alongside their best-known work.
Before the main event, the audience were treated to a set from Tommy Ashby. Support acts often face the challenge of winning over a crowd that is primarily focused on the headline band, but Tommy managed it with ease. His songs and stage presence created the perfect atmosphere for the evening and ensured that the audience were fully engaged long before Turin Brakes appeared.
When the band finally took to the stage, they immediately reminded everyone why they have retained such a loyal following. Few artists manage to balance intimacy and scale quite as effectively. Their songs can feel deeply personal while still filling an entire room, and that quality was evident throughout the performance.
What struck me most was how naturally the newer material sat alongside the older songs. Sometimes anniversary tours or long-established artists can become exercises in nostalgia, with audiences simply waiting for the familiar favourites. Turin Brakes avoided that trap entirely. The new songs felt every bit as important as the classics, which is probably the strongest compliment you can pay any band with a career spanning more than two decades.
There was also something satisfying about revisiting an artist whose music had been part of my life for so long. Seeing them shortly after their debut album and then returning years later creates a strange sense of continuity. The venues change, the audience changes and life certainly changes, but great songs have a habit of sticking around.
Looking back, this was one of those gigs that reminded me why I continue to seek out live music. Sometimes it’s about discovering a new band. Sometimes it’s about reconnecting with an old favourite and finding that they still have plenty left to offer.
The full concert can be viewed below, along with photographs from the evening. If you’ve never explored Turin Brakes beyond their early material, I’d strongly recommend giving their newer work a listen. World Like That was enough to get me through the door, and the concert more than justified the decision.
You can read a review of the gig here.
The Photos
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