19 February 2026, SWG3
Big Special
I’ve been lucky to see Big Special three times now. As a support act, higher up the musical food chain as part of a one-day Glasgow festival and at SWG3 as the headliners. I’ve yet to be let down by their performances. The intensity, the humour, the political messaging, all filtered through their Black Country accents.
On the face of it, they don’t appear to take themselves too seriously, however a listen to their first two albums displays a style that can easily draw you into each track.
Following the duo’s acclaimed 2024 debut Postindustrial Hometown Blues, Big Special released National Average last year and, while the tour is an ideal opportunity to promote and highlight the steady development they have made as song writers and musicians, the set remains heavily indebted to the debut release.
It’s a decision that find a great deal of favour with the packed-out audience at SWG3 giving everyone the opportunity to sing/shout along as required.
There’s a grim reality to the work of Big Special with the songs built around tales of hardship, brotherhood and strength in a community that has suffered more than most. Both act as protagonists, proudly wearing their hometown influences on their sleeves to deliver their personalised thoughts about the state of the country right now and what it means to be working class in the Black Country.
Like any gig there are highlights amongst the roster of carefully curated tracks from both albums. Black Dog / White Horse with a fan joining singer Joe Hicklin on stage while drummer Callum Moloney watched on awaiting the song to collapse around about them. That it didn’t says as much about the personal touch of both band members as to the talent and bravery of the young lady who took to the stage. Throw in Shithouse, Professionals and my personal favourite This Here Ain’t Water, and the duo gave everything and a little more to the fans in front of them.
Looking back on the night, the combination of both as musicians, comedians, political commentators and honest human beings created a sense of belonging to everyone in attendance. Big personalities. Big sound. Big Special in every way.
Gans
Like Big Special, Gans have been growing their own army of fans on the back of their debut album Good For The Soul.
Another similarity with Big Special is the makeup of the band with drummer Euan Woodman and bass guitarist Thomas Rhodes the leading lights. On the night though they were joined by Tommy Lawther on sax and flute duty instruments that added a sensitive layer to the playing of Woodman and Rhodes.
Support acts inevitably have a short time span to capture your interest. However, it didn’t take long for the three on stage to have everyone watching and listening to their set. Dynamic. Energetic. Lively. Any number of synonyms could ably describe their show. Maybe it’s a Black Country ‘thing’, but everything about them suggested that they were talking and playing from the heart. People who had been there. Read the book. Wore the T-shirt. Probably watched the documentary too.
At times you have to take a step back and recognise that many people in this developed country of ours are suffering on a daily basis. Listening to both Big Special and Gans is a reminder, if one is actually needed, that music is sometimes the only way to get some topics out into the mainstream and the hope has to be that both bands continue to evolve and grow their fanbase in the months and years to come.
If you get the chance, go see them. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
