Waxahatchee – Glasgow Barrowland

Some gigs are planned months in advance.

Others happen because you happen to glance at Twickets and make a slightly cheeky offer.

This was very much the latter.

I hadn’t really heard of Waxahatchee before spotting a ticket for sale. Curious, I played a couple of songs online and immediately liked what I heard. Rather than paying the asking price, I decided to chance my arm and submitted what could best be described as a “cheap as chips” offer.

To my surprise, it was accepted.

At 6pm.

Fifteen minutes later, Emma and I were in the car heading towards Glasgow.

Sometimes the best nights out are the least planned.

The venue, of course, was the Barrowland, which immediately improves the chances of any concert being memorable. I’ve said it countless times before, but there really is something special about that room. Bands seem to raise their game there and audiences tend to bring a little extra enthusiasm.

Before Waxahatchee took to the stage, we were treated to a set from Merce Lemon.

Support acts often face the challenge of winning over an audience that may know very little about them, but Merce Lemon managed it with ease. There was a warmth and authenticity to the performance that suited the evening perfectly, and the songs had a quality that made you want to investigate further once you got home.

It was exactly what a support set should be.

Then it was time for Waxahatchee.

For someone I’d barely heard of a few hours earlier, Katie Crutchfield made an immediate impression. Sometimes you can tell within a song or two why an artist has built such a devoted following. The songwriting was strong, the performances were heartfelt and there was an honesty to the music that connected with the audience right away.

The songs managed to feel both intimate and expansive at the same time.

What struck me most was how natural everything felt. There was no unnecessary showmanship or overblown theatrics, just excellent songs performed with conviction. In an age where many artists seem determined to distract audiences with spectacle, there was something refreshing about seeing a performer rely so heavily on the strength of the material itself.

The audience certainly seemed captivated.

Emma and I looked at each other more than once during the set with that familiar expression that says, “I’m glad we came.”

It’s one of the great joys of live music. Sometimes you spend months anticipating a concert and it merely meets expectations. Other times you take a chance on something at the last minute and discover an artist you’ll continue listening to long after the show is over.

This was one of those nights.

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine a better return on investment. A last-minute bargain ticket, a trip to the Barrowland, an excellent support act and a headliner who exceeded expectations.

Not bad for a spontaneous decision made over dinner time.

The videos and photographs below capture some of the evening, including Merce Lemon’s support set and a memorable performance from Waxahatchee. If, like me a few hours before the concert, you’re not particularly familiar with her music, I’d strongly recommend giving it a listen.

You might just find yourself buying a ticket fifteen minutes later.

You can read a review of the gig here.