SWG3, Glasgow
4th Nov, 2025
In the evening we walked in the rain to get to an SWG3 gig to see a prolific band called ‘Hard Life’. The usual buzz had the room warmed up for the nights support act called simply Woody. The pop/rock vibes were enjoyably electric with an abundance cascading through the floor.
Once Woody had finished their 45 min slot the famous stage prepared for something special – Hard Life. The band hare 8 years old, snce forming in 2017 via the vocalist’s desire for a new band. With super momentum they released their debut single ‘Pockets’ that same year. Touring and succeeding classy musical nominations it wasn’t until 2021 that their second album ‘Life’s a beach’ was released.
This current tour we enjoyed comes on the back of a fresh new album named ‘Onion’ released this year, 2025. It is well attended and has sell out shows. The pop revival group write their vibes and come straight to their audience. The organised lighting at this venue had for the eve discovered a deva who performed with all members sharing a music brought to speedy life.
Back in their beginnings they had the name ‘Easy Life’, but they learned a lesson in the music trade regarding infringement of copy right because of their name and in like they changed to the now loved ‘Hard Life’ which creates quite the turnaround, but ‘Hard Life’s’ music never suffered in its completeness.
Their music got them invited onto the highly revered Jools Holland, which is a ticket to the big time, so to speak. ‘Hard Life’s’ three albums transgress with their heart on their sleeve. Following them since conception gives a happy trace of progress, growth and development.
Where they fill the room with high energies of pop, they also have a gripping edge that makes them believable. They looked very animated with long shadows from lighting, colours that could be compared to a kaleidoscope, and delightfully a softness for their swaying audiences, a spectacle of a room full of many well-earned fans.
‘Onion’ is now being received well, three years after ‘Maybe in another life’ (2022) their breakthrough into lovable music is well rooted now as pop, aficionados, but out of the box lyrics give them a good reason to be up there.
Playing with topics in a very down to earth sympathetic manner. At the stage fans were having an immediate time, you could tell as they sang along lyrics to lyric. The harmonies, bridges, of a favoured band, an act of energy, musically famous group in their prime.
The overflowing sound of only 4 had bits of great ambience to it directing it and making it to dance to, become free and express yourself. Of the 1000 in the room, which has its own atmosphere, it seems easy to entertain and cajole listening to their intensity, compositional mood striking, laying down in blue light a more than genuine exchange. Original offering of collaboration of styles to suit the feeling of this band’s writing to easily relate to.
Daniel Donnelly
themumble.uk 