Following the release of 'Meltdown', touted by fans and critics alike as a triumphant return to their punky origins, it was time for the Glaswegians to hit the road once again to show off their new wares (and some fan favourites). First stop: the Toon, and the familiar haunt of Boiler Shop.
Boiler Shop is an interesting venue. A modern industrial aesthetic surrounds an off-centre stage, and high, vaulted ceilings dominate like the nave of a church. Twin played here back in 2022 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of sophomore album, 'Free', and despite a faultless performance, that night felt… flat. Was it the crowd? The venue? Whatever it was, it had me intrigued to hear that this would again be the site for their latest visit, and had me wondering: would history repeat itself?
Also hailing from north of the wall, DAYTIME TV were called upon to warm up the crowd, doing so with aplomb (once the lead singer’s mic was turned on). Their Royal Blood-esque riffs got heads bobbing and toes tapping, and with a prize of signed merch on offer to the ‘wildest’ punter, the stage was set.
However, it soon became apparent that the crowd might be a little too comfortable. Metres from the stage, we had sufficient room for an impromptu picnic - not quite sweaty moshpit euphoria, then. Having failed to sell out the gig, the band would need to put in a shift to convince their audience to let loose. Would they be up to the task?
Bravely, Twin opened with 'Meltdown'’s titular track. Though brilliant, its slower, mellow feel killed off some of the momentum gathered by DAYTIME TV as the crowd searched for lyrics they’re yet to learn. Frontman Sam McTrusty himself picked up on this, explaining a more chilled start in the hope that the crowd’s enjoyment and energy wouldn’t falter. When the audience responded with silence, he chuckled that he’ll “take that as a resounding no!”. When his guitar cut out shortly afterwards (requiring a mid-song switcheroo), it seemed as though it might not be their night.
However, this wasn’t Twin Atlantic’s first rodeo, and what followed was a lesson in the power of the frontman. Ducking under guitar straps and holding the microphone to a sheepish audience, McTrusty never missed a beat. With stage presence coming out the eyeballs and classic Scottish stage patter, the experienced singer knew exactly which buttons to press. Spaces gradually filled as the crowd were drawn like moths to the flame of the better-known hits and livelier new releases.
The show grew from strength to strength as the crowd became increasingly animated, fan-favourites like ‘Make a Beast of Myself’ and ‘Hold On’ getting a tune out of the most hesitant fans. And when the stage is left to the frontman, acoustic guitar in hand, you know there’s the chance of a tear jerker; McTrusty’s emotional delivery of ‘Snow in Texas’ beautifully demonstrated the charismatic singer’s and band’s versatility.
A formidable finish followed with ‘Chaser’ and ‘No Sleep’ eliciting a head bang or two along the home straight before closing off exquisitely with ‘Crash Land’, the crowd swaying as one, arm-in-arm, to the band’s go-to finisher.
Despite a stuttering start and an initially hesitant crowd, Twin Atlantic delivered the goods (again) with a set list replete with bangers new and old, and led from the front by the incredible Sam McTrusty. They treated the Geordie crowd to a night to remember.
