deaf havana // the garage, glasgow
THE “WE’RE NEVER GETTING OUT TOUR” KICKS OFF IN GLASGOW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
DEAF HAVANA PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S GARAGE
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR PHOTOGRAPHY
When Favourite Daughter take to the stage at Glasgow’s Garage, the room is still filling up. But with her laid-back indie pop and quick wit, it doesn’t take long to win people over.
She jokes, “My name is Favourite Daughter – these are my less favourite brothers and sisters – we can’t all be Mummy’s favourite,” before tongue-in-cheek declaring, “This is my first ever gig, respect me.” It’s playful, but the songs carry real weight. Her debut single, about losing someone young, explores how grief shaped her choices and outlook.
The standout of the night is “You But Different”, its rapid-fire lyrics and catchy rhythm drawing the crowd in. By the time the set ends, the Garage is buzzing and far busier than when she starts – proof that Favourite Daughter leaves Glasgow with more than a few new fans.
By the time Deaf Havana take to the stage, the Garage is absolutely rammed, anticipation fizzing through the room. They waste no time kicking things off with “Sinner” from Rituals, a fan favourite that instantly sets the crowd moving and singing along.
From there, the set runs like a victory lap through their catalogue. “Worship” feels massive, its hooky chorus sparking one of the first huge singalongs of the night. “Pensacola, 2013” brings a wave of nostalgia from All These Countless Nights, while “Lawn Tennis” keeps the energy high, the band clearly enjoying every moment as much as the crowd.
One of the evening’s standout points comes when James and Matthew Veck-Gilodi step forward for an acoustic “Happiness.” Stripped back and raw, it’s the audience who carry much of the middle section, their voices filling the venue in a communal, spine-tingling moment. But before things get too tender, the full band crash back in for “Pretty Low,” introduced with a grin as “a depressing song – but with drums!”
Momentum only builds from there. “Hurts to Be Lonely” hits with cathartic weight, before “Kids” turns into something bigger when the drummer climbs up to the balcony, leading claps from above and sending the crowd into overdrive. The catchy bounce of “22” keeps the energy peaking, and the main set closes with “Car Crash,” a thunderous finale that leaves the Garage longing for more.
Of course, the night doesn’t end there. Returning for an encore, the band rip through “Tracing Lines” and “Hell,” before James smirks and announces “This one’s old as fuck” to introduce “Anemophobia.” Finally, they close with “Trigger”, a last burst of anthemic power that seals the night with sweat, shouts, and smiles all round.
Deaf Havana’s set is a balance of heartfelt storytelling with big, cathartic hooks, keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish!
Their new album “We’re Never Getting Out” drops Friday 3rd October - be sure to check it out!
REVIEW & PHOTOS BY PAUL STORR PHOTOGRAPHY