With a few Attic gigs under my belt, this was actually the first time I’ve been here where the room was already over half full before the first act even hit the stage. A clear sign this was going to be a big night.
Kicking things off were Kit Trigg – Trigger on guitar, Morgan on bass, and Max on drums – and what a way to start. Their sound carried a gritty energy with flashes that reminded me of bands like Rage Against the Machine, blended with a honky-tonk rock edge. It was actually very refreshing to hear a different sound for me! Their harmonies were tight, and the rhythm section had that foot-stomping groove. Oh, I must talk about Kit’s guitar – absolutely ace! I might not know all the technical terms, but it looked like proper rock ’n’ roll: effortless and cool.
The standout moment for me came with their track “Grow With the Flow,” which Kit dedicated to a close skateboarding friend who had passed away. He asked the crowd to cheer for him “up in heaven,” and it was genuinely emotional – one of those moments where a room full of strangers connects. They also gave us a taste of new material and showed off their creative side with merch featuring Kit’s own artwork. What I really enjoyed about them was there were hints of Chuck Berry and AC/DC in the mix; classic influences delivered with a fresh punch. A very strong opening set!
Next up were Fireheart, and they walked on to an already buzzing room filled with what was clearly a solid fanbase, many wearing Fireheart merchandise. They kicked off with “Wild Hearts, Wild Nights,” and it was an instant hit. Big, bold, and melodic, their sound leaned into that classic ’80s rock vibe, and for me reminded me a bit of the band Rev Theory. Frontman Russ Grimmett delivered powerful, soaring vocals, backed by Neil Hackett’s slick lead guitar work. Meanwhile, bassist Brett Barnes brought serious energy – long hair flying everywhere in full headbanging mode (honestly, I want that hat he was wearing too).
What really stood out was how much fun they were having on stage. Kev Baker (rhythm guitar/vocals) was especially animated – constantly moving, dancing, and interacting with both the crowd and his bandmates. He was hard not to watch and smile! A highlight for me was their song “Good Is Good Enough.” It had that nostalgic ’80s feel but carried such a wholesome, uplifting message. The vocal harmonies between Russ, Kev, Brett, and drummer Chris Hopton were gorgeous, and the way the drums built into the final chorus line gave it real emotional weight. When Russ got the crowd singing back “good is good enough,” it was one of those feel-good gig moments. They wrapped up with “Standing in the Sun,” bringing things full circle with a track that felt like a celebration of where they started.
And then – it was time. The reason the show sold out. Dan Byrne took to the stage and instantly proved why he’s becoming such a big deal. If I am honest, I am struggling to put into words how insane Dan’s talent is, but I will do my best. Opening with “Savior,” his vocals were nothing short of phenomenal. There’s a power and clarity to his voice that puts him in the same conversation as vocalists like Myles Kennedy, Vince Neil, and even Freddie Mercury. He can hold notes for what feels like forever, with incredible control, and then switch effortlessly between soaring highs and deep, rich lows. The range is unreal.
“Glasgow, it’s so good to see you!” he shouted before launching into “Like Animals,” a track that had fans moving instantly – clearly a crowd favourite. Throughout the night, Dan kept things personal and engaging. He spoke about how surreal it was to headline The Garage after previously supporting there, and got the crowd fully involved – especially during a moment where he had the room split, battling back and forth with their vocals.
One of the biggest reactions came for “She’s the Devil,” a track that’s clearly blown up for him, and deservedly so. His vocal transitions in this song were incredible, moving through different tones and ranges with ease. He also introduced newer material, including “Praise Hell,” which already feels like a future staple, and “Sober,” which brought in a cool ’80s synth vibe before kicking back into his signature rock sound. A standout emotional moment came when he picked up the acoustic guitar and reflected on playing to just 17 people at Sneaky Pete’s not long ago. Now, he was standing in front of a sold-out room.
He played “Easier” from his first EP, giving the crowd a more intimate moment before ramping the energy back up again. Tracks like “Sentimental” (with its catchy intro and danceable energy) and “Cherry and Leather” (packed with heavy riffs and a killer breakdown) kept the momentum going strong. This song is one I look forward to hearing again; the riffs in this hit really hard! He took time to thank his band – Glenn Quinn (guitar), Max Rhead (drums), and Colin Parkinson (bass) – as well as the support acts, showing real appreciation for everyone involved in the night.
“Hard to Breathe” got the loudest reaction of the night – pure energy from the crowd. And to finish, he played “Death of Me,” the first single he ever released. The entire room was with him, singing it back – it was the perfect ending. To me it felt like a milestone moment, and actually looking at Dan’s journey with his album coming out soon, I really do believe he is on the cusp of something massive.
This gig was one I thoroughly enjoyed after not knowing any of the support bands and very little of Dan’s music. It delivered! For me, Dan Byrne is only getting started and there is a reason he has been described as ‘voice of a generation’. You can get a taste of this as he also has an acoustic tour coming up!
His album “This Is Where the Show Begins” is released on 22nd May 2026 but you can pre-order here.
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Header image by Rob Blackham
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