AIRBOURNE // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
AIRBOURNE PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S LEGENDARY BARROWLAND BALLROOM
★★★★★ (5/5)
AIRBOURNE PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLAND BALLROOM
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR
Yorkshire’s ASOMVEL might have last played Glasgow in a tiny 150-cap venue, but tonight, they take the legendary Barrowland Ballroom by storm. Wasting no time, they launch into "Louder & Louder", a blistering opener that sets the tone for a set dripping in high-octane, Motörhead-infused rock ‘n’ roll.
The highlight of their performance comes with "Outside The Law" and "Into The Fire", both driven by relentless, pounding drumbeats that have heads banging across the room. Frontman Ralph Robinson has the crowd in the palm of his hand, grinning as he asks, “Glasgow, are you feeling lucky?” before tearing into "Luck Is For Losers".
Closing with the thunderous "The Nightmare Ain’t Over", ASOMVEL prove themselves more than worthy of tonight’s stage, delivering a set that feels like a perfect match for Airbourne’s energy. If you miss them this time, don’t worry—Glasgow gets another shot when they hit Slay on August 29th!
Before the band even sets foot on stage, the energy inside the room is electric. The unmistakable closing guitar solo of "Ready to Rock" rings out before giving way to the Terminator 2 theme—then, with a surge of lights and cheers, Airbourne explode onto the stage, launching straight into "Ready to Rock". From that moment, chaos reigns.
Frontman Joel O’Keeffe is a whirlwind, barely stopping for breath as he races around the stage. The energy is relentless, and when "Girls in Black" kicks in, he takes things up a notch—climbing onto a roadie’s shoulders, he makes his way through the crowd, pausing only to smash a beer can against his head and drench those closest to him.
The madness continues with "Bottom of the Well", where Joel wields a giant torch, sweeping it across the room like a searchlight. But it’s not just the spectacle that makes tonight special—it’s the connection between Airbourne and their Glasgow fans. Mid-set, Joel declares, “When we come to Glasgow, there’s a fucking real energy. A real belief, a real power of people. Nowhere else on this fucking planet has it. Best time ever had is at the Barrowlands in Glasgow.”
That bond is cemented further as the band tear into "It’s All for Rock ‘n’ Roll", bringing out Lemmy’s bar, pouring Jack and Coke, and leading the crowd into chants of Lemmy! before closing the song with the iconic riff from Motörhead's "Ace of Spades".
The main set roars to a close with "Stand Up for Rock ‘n’ Roll", but the night is far from over.
Drummer Ryan O’Keeffe manually winds up an air raid siren, its wail cutting through the venue as the stage lights mimic searchlights—then Airbourne are back, charging into an encore of "Live It Up", with Joel tossing drinks into the crowd (many of which are impressively caught and downed on the spot). "Rock 'n' Roll for Life" follows, before a final blast of "Runnin’ Wild"—preceded by Joel shredding Scotland the Brave on his guitar—seals an unforgettable night of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll.
Airbourne are one of the best live bands on the planet. If you ever get the chance to see them, don’t hesitate—just go!
