On Friday the 30th of October, in celebration of the release day of their new album, “Joy In Short Moments,” The Snuts played a sold-out show in Glasgow as part of their record store performance and signing tour with Assai Records, a local and loved record store company.
The West Lothian band, formed in their hometown of Whitburn, have been working together for years and have become one of Scotland’s most successful indie-rock performers. The four-piece band consists of lead singer Jack Cochrane, guitarist Joe McGillveray, drummer Jordan Mackay, and bassist Callum Wilson. These school friends have developed their musical journey and sound throughout demos, local performances, and determination that has grown their huge loyal following across Scotland and the world. The Snuts built their career on local small gigs which boosted their confidence and connections with their audience. This soon attracted wider attention leading to them playing iconic Scottish venues such as Barrowland Ballroom, OVO Hydro, TRNSMT Festival and are set to play a show in the SEC next July. Throughout their discography they make sure to keep their Scottish roots at the core of their identity regardless of small-town venues or major stages.
With a career successful on low-key sets, a loving Scottish fanbase, and a connection to their home, the Snuts appearance at Assai Records in Glasgow felt like a fitting place to celebrate their new album. Playing to a much more intimate setting, the band had the chance to reconnect with a supporting audience. People queued up outside the record shop eager for a close-up view of the band. While waiting to be let in, we got to watch as the band unloaded their van, set up and sound-checked which made fans feel a stronger connection to the overall performance. As vinyls and CDs were being handed out prior to doors, the excitement and anticipation grew in the queue. Upon entering the store, it was clear that this performance was highly valued as the store was decorated with various vinyls of the new album as well as previous releases, and sunflowers to match the cover of the new record which shows the attention to detail that was put in from Assai Records and the band. The distance between the band and the audience disappeared as the modern indie rockstars took the stage.
The crowd may have been small, but the atmosphere was massive with fans cheering on throughout the lively act. Working through their set, The Snuts demonstrated why they have such a dedicated following. Each song was introduced and the fans got a background to the works of each track and the importance of it to the band which brought the audience closer to the songs. The Snuts also shined a light on their break between constant releases and time on the road and how they have appreciated having the time to work on recent music and spend time with family, showing their openness, honesty, and transparency with fans. The band played a mix new hits from the album such as “PTS” and “Summer Rain,” some of the first performances of these, followed by older classics such as “Always” and “Top Deck” which Jack joked abut disliking fan favourites but still playing them as he appreciates how loved they are, alongside the sentimental track to the city “Glasgow.” The crowd were ecstatic and energetic regardless of it being a new or older song, singing along to every word and clapping for each performance. Every song was met with enthusiasm from the band. They have a talented ability to bring their recorded tunes to life, performing stripped back versions of the tracks within an intimate setting, allowing each crowd reaction to become a key part of the performance.
However, it was not just the music that made it an evening to forget. The bands’ ability to engage with the audience and exchange hilarious banter that had the room in uproar showed their personalities. Jack spent a lot the performance keeping the crowd entertained through cracking jokes of good-natured Scottish patter. He made jokes about the difference between big and small venues; his signature sunglasses look and even about a crowd member yawning which the audience could not help but laughing at throughout. Rather than making the in-store appearance a straightforward performance, the band utilised the chance to chat and connect with the people that have turned up to see them in between each song. The humorous exchanges added another dimension to the set that made the audience feel like participants of the set.
After the performance finished, the crowd erupted into an applause before exiting the store to line up for the signing part of the experience. As each member of the audience went inside to meet the band, each member of the band were reactive showing their gratitude to each person that walked through the door, thanking them for coming, signing albums, taking photos with fans and continuing to make people laugh. They kept this up throughout the full signing and showed immense appreciation to their support system. The balance between displaying musical talent and genuine personality was the biggest strength of the performance. The room was filled with the same amount of thrill as a full blown, high-capacity indie gig.
For The Snuts, Assai Records gave them a space to showcase their skills by bringing the room together through music. This was more than a small appearance; it was a refreshing performance that captured the vibe of the Snuts. Whether someone has been a fan for years or a first-time listener, this event was an insane way to connect a group of people and highlight Scottish artists. Overall, this intimate gig was a reminder that live music is about more than performing songs but creating experiences that people will remember as well as a perfect way to celebrate release day as the band and fans really came together to share joy in short moments!
By Emma Louise.