The Garage was the right call. One of Glasgow’s most emblematic nightlife venues, and the winning space to host the three Brighton bands: the right size, phenomenal acoustics, and the soul of hundreds of artists across genres who have set foot there before.
The night had an impressive bill. YONAKA, as headliners, is a strong act in itself, but on this tour, KNIFE BRIDE and SNAYX accompany them. Walking into the venue, you could feel the excitement building. Fans were already gathering and saving their spots in the front row the moment doors opened. The venue’s preshow playlist was setting the perfect mood for the night, a blend of rock and metal classics with a sprinkle of songs from everyone’s collective memory.
Just by the merch table, adding to the atmosphere, was the sight of the Broken Bunnies Bookclub touring bookcase – created by frontwoman Theresa Jarvis and LittleRedLibrary, travelling with the band to encourage a book exchange at every stop. A lovely little addition to the night, and something fans could take part in beyond the music.
There was a strong start to the night, with KNIFE BRIDE taking the stage as support. A perfect blend of strings, drums, and melodic vocals, their sound carries a theatrical darkness alongside a genuinely warm stage presence. Starting the night with Lillies, a dreamy track that develops into a heavier sound, they define themselves as a Nu-Gothika metal band. Every song in their set transports you to a different world, each one building on the atmosphere of the last. Closing with Worthy and its great riffs, they set the bar high for what was still to come.
SNAYX were next, and they did not hesitate to make an impact and get the room moving. The trio has been making waves in the punk-infused alternative rock scene, and the most impressive thing about their live show? No guitarist on stage. Their wall of sound is built from groovy bass, heavy drums, and keys, the bass driving the beat and sitting so deep in your chest you feel it before you hear it, with distortion doing the rest. Commanding and magnetic, they got the crowd involved throughout: jumping, moving, and even at one point hand-picking people to start a mosh pit – fittingly, since that energy is part of what birthed the band. High-pace cuts like Deranged and Work gave way to Sink or Swim and Fayx to close. A memorable set from a band worth keeping on your radar. They have already announced a Glasgow return at King Tut’s on March 11, 2027.
Shortly after, the lights went down. The silhouettes of YONAKA took the stage. An instrumental introduction built anticipation before frontwoman THERESA JARVIS stepped forward, walking on like an ethereal being, the air catching her hair as she sang the opening notes of Problems. The moment she started singing, there was no mistaking who had taken the stage. Had you been at the back of the venue or at the bar with your back turned, you would have known YONAKA had arrived.
From there, the energy just kept building. Predator followed: empowering, anthemic, and charged with rage and emotion. The 20-song set was effortlessly cool and full of emotion, with the commanding dynamic between stage and audience magnetic. With such a fervent fanbase, the Scottish crowd was in for a treat. Miss Millennial was a particular crowd moment that had fans singing every relatable word back. When it comes to the live vocals, they sound even better in person than on the record, if that’s even possible.
The members played with precision from first note to last. Guitarist GEORGE EDWARDS got down to the barricade towards the end of the set, absorbing the energy of the front rows. Bassist ALEX CROSBY anchored the sound with an infectious beat. Drummer ADAM BREEZE stood on his kit, theatrical, demanding more and engaging with the crowd. During Call Me a Saint, the audience’s voices nearly drowned out the band. Someone shouted, “I love you, Theresa.” Someone in the crowd was blowing a party horn. It was contagious.
Trouble Follows goes heavier live than on the record. Stay a Little While Longer was the emotional centrepiece of the evening: raw, but keeping the rock energy fully intact, before the set shifted to acoustic for Don’t Wait Till Tomorrow and Lose Our Heads, causing goosebumps across the room. Both songs landed beautifully, before Hands Off My Money brought the energy straight back up and had everyone jumping and losing their heads – no pun intended.
Bite the Bullet, Teach Me to Fight and Clique closed the main set, with George taking the microphone to sing alongside Theresa, their energy feeding each other, the crowd feeding both of them. As soon as they left the stage, Glasgow did what they do best: here we, here we, here f**king we go – and screaming for one more tune. YONAKA obliged, returning to the spotlight for Ordinary and Seize the Power – one of their big hits, bringing the final night of the headline UK tour to a close. After a set that moved between huge singalongs, heavier moments and quieter acoustic passages, Glasgow gave them the send-off they deserved. A party, a celebration, a perfect farewell.
YONAKA are returning to Glasgow in December as support to hard-rockers THE PRETTY RECKLESS. After an unforgettable show like this, grabbing a ticket is a no-brainer.
