There’s no better place to catch rising Scottish talent than at this year’s Summer Nights Festival, only at the infamous King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. On the 19th of July, the four band lineup consisted of Samsara, Cosmic Empire, Slow Dance and lastly, headliners Solasta.
SAMSARA
Samsara opened the night sharply at 7:45pm with their unapologetic track ‘Fuck Knows,’ followed by ‘Ordinary People.’ Based in Fife, Samsara delivered a tight, energetic set that immediately engaged the growing crowd. The lead singer summed up the vibe best when he declared, “We have dreams that belong in cities like this.”
Their single ‘A Crime To Be Confident’ was a standout, with crowd interaction and chemistry between members creating an infectious atmosphere in the venue. Guitar solos and breakdowns gave their half-hour slot a well-rounded finish, slowing things down for a final reflective tune that contrasted well with the fiery start.
COSMIC EMPIRE
Cosmic Empire took the stage at 8:30pm with a sound rooted in mellow indie ballads, reminiscent of Briston Maroney. Their first couple of tracks built an intimate, vibey mood, while ‘Just a Taste,”’ due out next month, hinted at big things ahead. ‘Shoreline’ stood out, not just for its melody, but for the shared vocals between the frontman and drummer, an effective move that added depth to their performance. They closed with a slowed-down ballad, their last tune ‘Laurie,’ showed off the reflective undercurrent of their set.
SLOW DANCE
At 9:15pm, Slow Dance delivered one of the night’s most polished performances. Kicking off with ‘Another Like You’ and ‘Stay Tonight,’ their dynamic guitar riffs and explosive drum build-ups quickly won over the crowd. ‘For Me and For You,’ a clear fan favourite, featured powerful joint vocals and high energy from the lead guitarist and singer. Their chemistry on stage was real and palpable, especially during the emotionally driven ‘Worse Than TV.’ A reminder they’ll be “back in Glasgow in August” was met with cheers, which clearly showed that Slow Dance left an impression on the Glasgow crowd.
SOLASTA
Solasta took over at 10pm with tracks like ‘Holiday’ and ‘Immigrant’, bringing out melodic layers, with strong guitar breakdowns and powerful vocals. ‘Control’ featured one of the night’s heaviest guitar solos, met with applause mid-song.
Slower tunes like ‘Well’ and ‘Weekday’ balanced their set, with atmospheric lighting, purple haze and smoke to add visual drama to songs like ‘Julia.’ ‘Dead and Heavy’ leaned into rock territory before the band closed with the haunting ‘Fading Away,’ a engaging slow-build masterpiece that ended the night on a powerful, emotional note.
From start to finish, the showcase was a testament to the strength of Glasgow’s indie scene. Check out below for the latest Summer Nights gigs!
https://www.gigsinscotland.com/festival/king-tuts-summer-nights