Newcastle’s own Lizzie Esau lit up the stage at Glasgow’s St. Luke’s, delivering an electrifying performance as the opening act for Scottish band swim school. This gig marked the finale of swim school’s debut UK headline tour, where Lizzie was supporting throughout. Within the last couple of years, Lizzie has already made significant strides in the music industry, having released two EPs, graced numerous festival stages, secured several supporting slots on major tours, and headlined her own UK tour last November.
The anticipation was evident as Glasgow hosted the tour’s last show, with expectations sky-high for an unforgettable night in the Scottish city. The crowd’s energy was electric as Lizzie and her band, consisting of Joe Bennison on bass, Robb Maynard on drums, and Shaun Chipp on guitar-burst onto the stage. The audience erupted in cheers, setting the tone for a memorable night. Lizzie kicked off her set with ‘Wait Too Late’, her latest single. This politically charged anthem reflects a frustration with the current global unrest, encapsulated by the lyrics “Far, cry, war, rage, we fear, in pain, and take, no blame.” showing the song’s powerful message and call to action.
The bond formed between Lizzie and swim school during their tour was evident. Lizzie’s admiration for the headlining band shone through, notably when she performed her set wearing a shirt that stated, “I Love Swim School,” a testament to their mutual support and friendship. Her set also featured another recent single named ‘Impossible + Strange’, a track that delves into anxiety and overthinking. Lizzie’s compelling vocal performance and her ability to convey deep emotions through this song showcased her exceptional talent and connected with the audience on a profound level. Lizzie’s command of the stage was undeniable. Her vocal delivery and range were so powerfully captivating to the Glasgow crowd from start to finish. The true raw emotion and vivid feeling that Lizzie sings with encapsulated the meanings of her songs so well. The audience’s engagement peaked during ‘Bleak Sublime’, Lizzie’s debut single. Invited to join in during the bridge, the crowd responded enthusiastically, with their voices filling the venue of St. Luke’s encouragingly.
Lizzie ended the set with the big energy song ‘Cool’, a song about being yourself and being over trying to be cool for other people, this got the crowd jumping and pumped with energy before the set came to a close. Lizzies’ ability to connect with the audience, along with her dynamic stage presence, solidified her status as a rising star in the music scene. As her set ended, the energy in St. Luke’s was a blend of exhilaration and passion. Lizzie Esau’s performance not only met but exceeded the high expectations, ensuring that her part on the tour concluded on a high note. The crowd were in no doubt perfectly set up with anticipation and excitement for the main act, swim school.
With the crowd buzzing with adrenaline, swim school made their electrifying entrance onto the St. Luke’s stage. The Edinburgh-based three-piece indie rock band, comprising Alice Johnson on vocals and guitar, Lewis Bunting on guitar, and Billy McMahon on drums, immediately took over the entire venue as their performance kicked off. They opened their set with ‘Bored’, a fiery and powerful tune that tackles the battle against misogyny in the music industry. This song portrays overcoming such adversities with a sense of strength, ideally being bored by it, this was a perfect opener for such an already high-energy gig.
The audience were clearly a dedicated group of superfans, they sang along to every lyric, their enthusiasm was uncontainable. Some fans even brought signs and flags to show their support, amplifying the sense of community that the band has formed. Throughout the concert, there wasn’t a moment when the crowd wasn’t fully engaged-dancing, jumping, and giving their all to the music. A standout moment of the night was when lead singer Alice Johnson stepped off the stage and into the crowd. She navigated her way to the centre, initiating a mosh pit. The crowd encircled her, creating a ring of energy. As Alice belted out the lyrics with passion, the crowd responded with equal intensity. At the peak of the performance, as the beat dropped, everyone jumped in unison, creating a rockstar moment that epitomised the band’s dynamic presence and connection with their fans.
swim school’s ability to maintain their incredible atmosphere was evident as they progressed through their setlist. The band played a mix of older favourites and new tracks, as the tour was based off the release of their most recent EP Seeing It Now, each single from this was played and it was evident that the crowd were beyond excited to be hearing their new music finally live. The band ended their set with the song ‘anyway’ from their debut EP, the combination of Alice’s lyricism in this song and the high-energy guitar riffs were so endearing and captivating for the finale, leaving the crowd stunned.
This gig not only highlighted swim school’s musical power but also reinforced their reputation as a band that truly understands and appreciates their audience, especially in the Scottish music scene. Their performance was an immersive experience that brought together the energy of live rock music with the intimacy of shared moments. As the night ended, the band left their fans with a lingering sense of craving more. With such a compelling live performance, swim school is definitely a band to watch, as they continue to make waves in the indie rock scene.
Written by: Amanda MacEachen
Photographed by: Amanda MacEachen
Edited by: Vanessa Svejkovsky
