SWG3, Glasgow
Feb 9th, 2025
Glasgow’s SWG3 has two main stages; we were on our way for some fun at the TV Studio, it’s a smaller and so more intimate room. On this evening we were there to see a band called ‘Kawala’, in a late weekend gig. They are a band from England who for support had the Australian ‘Teenage Dads’, both groups are currently touring UK and Europe, and both present a master class of their perspective genres within the realms of Indie Rock.
Having formed in 2017 ‘Kawala’ leave two albums behind them, one EP, and copious songs. Their sound was distinctive as they took to the stage, having a very youthful presence and great vocal range. A sound made by two electric guitars, bass, percussion and vocalist (who shared singing with guitarist). Their confidence exuded in some very exhilaratingly sounding music.
‘Teenage Dads’ offer a darker take on indie music, which bellows through their sound and vocal, wielding a rock impact for a crowd warming up. The two bands teamed up to make a magical night of powerful Indie music coming from eclectic influences such as England’s ‘Bombay Bicycle Club’, and Canada’s ‘Half Moon Rising’, ‘Teenage’s’ two Studio Albums are seeing them on tour, one of many since forming in 2015.
The performance of ‘Kawala’ set quite a scene and felt like relaxing into a bombastic gig. The roots of this music are based on a lot of experimenting in studios and live in a vibe of making sure to share everything about it with all the artists they can, creating a communal hub bub and clean genre. This was brought on well by the stage act, easily seeping through the room with an ecstatic, abrupt and joyful attitude to their talented proceedings.
There is always great stage lighting at play at this venues gigs, in a scene of ease and sound that travels well to every corner of the room. Kawala’s 8 years experience had this well in hand, keeping dancing in a swinging speciality, a vocalist rhythmically moving, swaying, talking and soothing the crowd, who respond well with general roars affirming a good time.
The two albums, released a year apart; ‘Better with you’ 2022 and ‘Circular Motion’ 2023 have shown the world a craft of high propensity, expression of a chest full of themes, creating an environment where smiles were everywhere, spirits were high and music was righteous. It turned out, as they announced, that their band is coming towards its end, they played their heart out but I clearly got the feeling that that is just what they do, a band so well imbued and played to soar with big heart, new musical twists and a high life of variations.
The SWG3 venue is situated in an interesting almost cul-de-sac with an in use railway line literally going over it. So there is a vibe of that plus river that helps create a special atmosphere for all these devoted music lovers. A place where this evening had a straightforward example of fantastic songs played with ease and free of negativity in regards to their attitudes on stage.
Very rich, celebratory, highly joyous music for a two-hour long celebration that didn’t really stop. Altogether it was what I can only call a lovely atmosphere of seriously talented and importance of fusions of genre that drive so much of the current music world, an all-pervasive presence shared by two bands dedicated to great music.
Words: Daniel Donnelly
Phots: Anastasia Devlin
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