Before I consider my usual list of what I’m looking forward to music wise as we step into a new year, let’s look back on what was exciting me as me moved into 2025.
Tanzana – I think we can safely say Tanzana went from strength to strength in 2025, from releasing their first single Covet in January and playing a stunning gig in King Tuts in the same month they went on to play live on several occasions across Glasgow, including the BBC Introducing Stage at Barrowland 2 as part of Tenement Trail, the venue was absolutely rammed for their set, the year also saw them playing live further afield into uncharted territories. As the band move into 2026 things are looking bright having signed a publishing deal which saw them re-release an edited version of Covet and already has them as an in demand band for festivals across the UK.
Xtro Ghost I’m raging at myself for somehow letting the debut single by Xtro Ghost pass me by, the duo made up of Rob and Suze from Diablo Furs released I Can’t Get It Out of My Head which has sold now out on vinyl but the song is still available to download on Bandcamp. I will be ensuring I don’t miss their next release, a joint 10” with DNAR coming early in 2026.
Scorpio Leisure and Lightnin’ Truck were both on my list of 25, and unfortunately due to my cursed year I managed to miss every single gig Scorpio Leisure played. I am hoping for less of a shit show in 2026, and will be aiming to rectify the lack of Scorpio Leisure in my life.
I had many young Scottish bands in my 2025 list Alcatraz, The Froobz, Corinne, soapbox, Sister Madds, San Jose, Martha May and the Mondays, and Vanderlye, all of whom made waves in 2025 with a huge offering of singles, EPs, awards, and gigs, gigs and more gigs. Alcatraz released You Make Me Bleed and Nowhere Man and won Best New Band/Artist from NFTA25, the band also headlined King Tuts and played a blinder at Tenement Trail, as did Sister Madds, soapbox (twice!), Martha May and the Mondays and Vanderlye. The Froobz continued to impress live and released a monster of a single in Manchild. Martha May and the Mondays were one of the bands I think I saw most in 2025, including a stunning show in Nice n Sleazy to launch their Zeroes and Villains EP, there was also the small matter of winning nest Rock/Alternative Act at the SAMA’s. Soapbox pretty much conquered the UK and Europe, every time I looked at their social medias they seemed to be slaying somewhere… and Vanderlye released one of my favourite songs of the year with the anti-war anthem Blackout Skies. I’m sure much more is to come from each and every one in 2026, with the majority of them coming together in one of my biggest hopes for 2026…
The Dead Shout released an EP that landed in my top ten of EPs for 2025 while I think we can safely say that f.o. machete lived up to my expectations with my album of the year, a single in my top 5 and up there with the best gigs of the year, and Middle Class Guilt’s album The Committee was also one of my albums of the year for 2025.
Corrupt Intentions & Klingonz were part of two of the best gigs of 2025 in terms of camaraderie and general fun and enjoyment while both Lambrini Girls and benefits released albums that more than lived up to expectations, and I once again missed benefits playing live despite having tickets well in advance. And Water Machine released one of the best albums of the year in the shape of God Park in my humble opinion, and they played some of the best live gigs of 2025, the album launch on the eve of…
Sex Pistols at Bellahouston Park who continued to prove there is life after Lydon with a brilliant headline gig with Frank Cater on vocals with a host of great supports, and from a completely different angle Sister John released a stunning album in the shape of Don’t Worry It’s Forever and launched it with an emotional rollercoaster of a launch gig in The Old Hairdressers. And talking of gigs, I missed more Under the Wire gigs than I managed to get to, but aiming to end that drought at Lux Lives in early February…
So what of my 26 for ’26? Gigs I’m looking forward to, new album releases, bands I’m excited about… in no particular order..
Lemon Drink just posted on their socials a couple of days ago that they will be making a return in 2026 with a new single coming in February…
February will be a busy month as Martha May and the Mondays new single Sink Dogs will be released too and…
…in another social media post, this time from Night Caller, who released one of 2024’s best singles Number One Wee Guy, hinted that their album will be out in February too.
More new releases in February with Keeley releasing their new album too, and if recent single Who Wants to See the World (my second favourite single of 2025) is anything to go by, it’ll be a cracker – pre-orders are open now… and to help celebrate it’s release Keeley will play a headline gig in the Hug and Pint on Saturday 28th of February.
That is set to be a great weekend with Sister Madds are playing a headline gig in King Tuts in the 27th of February. where they will be celebrating something extra special coming up? Intriguing….
Before that there will be a whole hots of gigs in January as past of King Tuts New Years Revolution, I’m not going to make them all(!) but will be heading (at least to see Count the Days, who will be supported by Comfort Girl, Dalmatic & The Noise Club and also…
Awful Eyes who, as well as Citizen Head and Vacant Pavements will be supported by…
Oedipus & the Mamas Boys whose new single Stretched/Kitchens is sure to be single of the month for January unless something extremely special comes out to match is exquisite charm. I may make some more of these gigs, all depends on life and work…
House Guest Fest returns for it’s third year in April with an already stellar line up announced with more to come…
Talking of return’s, the wonderful Thrum are back to play Glad Cafe for 2 nights in March. I wonder if they’ll have any Thrum make you come t-shirts to replace my long lost one….
…and also on the comeback trail, Angelfish play 2 nights at the end of January in Edinburgh and I think I have finally secured a Friday night ticket…
While over in Glasgow on the last Saturday in January it is the seminal Glasgow band Friends Again who make a comeback.
Dream Wife should be another early year highlight with a date in Stereo on the 28th of January
Two indie legends team up to play Barrowland in March with Rialto supporting Gene
Did I mention Comfort Girl are supporting Count the Days in King Tuts in January? There are a load of brilliant young bands I’m hoping for big things from in 2026, including pedalo who have a new EP planned for 2026, and a headline gig on 28th February (which I’ll unfortunately miss due to Keeley).
Looking forward to more from heavyskint after their excellent debut single Vice in 2025. They also have a headline gig in Tits on the 10th of January.
Lux Lives returns once again in Glasgow on the 6th of Feb and Edinburgh on the 7th
Clashing with heavyskint, Inkdrinker make their debut live appearance supporting Fiendz YT on the 10th of January…
The superb The Dears play the Hug and Pint on the 21st of February
A blast from the past, Chapterhouse are playing the Classic Grand on the 23rd of April
One of this year’s success stories The Cords are part of the inaugural Byrne’s Night in Dumbarton on May the 15th, they will be playing alongside Lungleg, The Beat Poets and Radhika
Bratakus are back in 2026 with a new album, and going by the singles they released in 2025 it’ll be a cracker… and they are another band with a gig on the 28th of February in Glasgow!
Bloc+ are hosting a free afternoon gig from Dragged Up, Count Florida and Exploding Head on the 11th of January
As we reach the end of the list, time for a couple of debut albums to look forward to. Casual Drag are planning to release their debut album in 2026..
….as are Brontës via Last Night From Glasgow, whose single San Francisco was riding high in my singles for 2025…
Who will also be releasing the debut album from Mackenzies, only 40 years in the making.
And for a bonus Number 27…. just hang on another few days and I’ll tell you about another 30 reasons to be cheerful in 2026…