with Lauren Mayberry
By her own admission, vocalist Hannah Reid knows what it’s like to take stage fright, which might come as a surprise to many who entered the vast Hydro in Glasgow to hear the band play songs off their most recent album, The Greatest Love, in addition to a sprinkling of tracks from the three other albums that have made them a headline act over the past decade or more.
While Reid excels on vocals, drummer and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Major and guitarist Dan Rothman come together to deliver the hallmark sound of London Grammar. Cultured indie pop at its very best.
The set is a mix of fragility, emotion and versatility, showcasing why the band have attracted such a broad fanbase.
By their own admission they don’t make up-tempo music for the masses. What can’t be in doubt though is the clarity of the songs, the thought that has gone into each and the stories behind them.
Recognising that stadium tours can make the audience seem distant, London Grammar split their set into three distinct parts, with the middle section an opportunity to hoist themselves up to a small stage in the middle of the Hydro and play a couple of intimate acoustic numbers.
The intent was clear yet seated in the balconies the trio still seemed a long way in front of us.
From afar, the three bandmates seemed lost spread across the main stage, yet the combination of a simple light show combined with large screens either side of them made for an enjoyable spectacle.
While the tour is in support of The Greatest Love album, the show ended with a trio of songs from their debut album, with Strong the fan favourite that had everyone waving in unison. It’s probably a reflection of how the band first came to prominence in the consciousness of the night’s audience that the greatest interaction between band and fans were around this point.
The days of constantly touring may be over for the band as family responsibilities become, quite rightly, more important, especially for Hannah Reid the mother.
On this showing, there are hopefully many more opportunities to see these consummate professionals in action.
Support Act, Lauren Mayberry
In many respects, Lauren Mayberry has done that, played that and got the T-shirt as lead vocalist and songwriter with Scottish band Chvrches and opening the show for London Grammar held no real surprises for either her or the ever-increasing audience as she took to the stage.
With a debut album to showcase, she led us through a highly up-tempo set of songs that will no doubt have many purchasing tickets to see her when she tours herself in early 2025.
It was also refreshing to see that at the end of the show she was invited to sing with Hannah Reid on the closing song Lose Your Head. Support acts can often be cannon fodder for the headline acts, but tonight showed the appreciation London Grammar had for such a relatively local talent.
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