Another summer night at the iconic King Tut’s in Glasgow. A venue known by anyone and everyone in music: from the big acts that took their first steps here to the locals looking for a good night out with fresh tunes. It is always great to see King Tut’s championing the Scottish music scene and giving emerging acts a platform, and the Summer Nights series does exactly that. The 6th of August was no exception, a night packed with emerging acts and a big, exciting turnout to match.
First act on the bill were High Calibre, bringing in their blend of classic rock and indie to the stage. With Caiden on bass and vocals, Logan on guitar and Charles behind the drums, the trio delivered a fantastic start to the night. The instrumental side of the set was a personal standout; the guitar solos, the rhythm section locking in, and the chemistry that unites the band. The precision between the three was clear, with moments of jamming adding another layer to the performance. A very strong opener.
Next up were Edinburgh alternative rockers Filmstar. Fronted by the force of Lauren Thompson, whose voice filled the room, the set leaned into a darker, dreamier edge, moving between infectious pop rock and alt-leaning ballads. The performance of their original, Marla, gave me chills, with crisp vocals cutting through electric guitar, bass and drums to create a perfect moment. Fresh off the release of their debut EP Reality Bites, Filmstar delivered a show with the stage presence of a band far beyond their years.
Following them was bodyheat, and they brought everything you could want from a live band: bold guitars, thundering drums, strong vocals and an attitude to match. Sink Your Teeth was a personal highlight, full of exuberant youth and the spirit of an up-and-coming band only just getting started. Their sound carries hints of early Arctic Monkeys and the likes of Kid Kapichi; and having only played their debut gig a few months ago, bodyheat are already ones to watch, without a doubt.
Headlining the night were Dugout, taking the evening to its peak with a melodic, well-crafted set led by a frontman who absolutely commanded the room. The crowd stretched all the way back to the bar, fully invested from start to finish, with phone lights illuminating the room as the set reached its deepest moments.Their cover of Girls and Boys by Blur brought another rush of energy, with the entire crowd singing along. A lively and memorable headline performance that rounded off a fantastic night at King Tut’s.
King Tut’s Summer Nights delivered exactly what it promised: a packed, energetic evening full of emerging Scottish talent that deserves to be heard. If you’re not already going to your local gigs to discover new music, this is your sign to start. You will always leave with a new song on your playlist, a new artist to follow, or a reason to come back.