— a vessel both unforgiving and electrifying.

For those who haven’t yet experienced the raw, gritty soul of Bristol’s Thekla, imagine an old ship moored deep in the Mud Dock, its wooden bones creaking under the weight of decades of music history. Bands who step on its stage shed any illusions of comfort — there’s no hiding here. Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless artists emerge from bedrooms, garages, and studios only to have their craft tested, stretched, and laid bare against the harsh, unforgiving elements of this floating fortress.

Tonight, the atmosphere buzzes with a tangible electricity. The 400-capacity room is packed to the rafters, a sell-out crowd buzzing with anticipation for Glasvegas—a band returning to the stage to perform their self-titled, platinum-selling debut album from 2008 in its entirety. A decade has slipped away since that landmark release, yet the album still resonates like a classic, effortlessly blending layers of swirling guitar feedback with harmonies reminiscent of the Ronettes. Frontman James Allan’s lyrics—brittle, raw, and steeped in loneliness, love, and loss—cut deep, proving timeless in their emotional weight.

From the moment the first chords ring out, there’s no sinking into the depths tonight. The opening thirty minutes unfold as near-perfect rock ‘n’ roll theater—tight, passionate, and filled with a palpable urgency. As the night progresses, something extraordinary happens. Four hundred voices rise in unison, singing word for word, line for line. The crowd’s devotion is so overwhelming that the band themselves pause, stepping back from their instruments to soak in the moment, the feedback, the powerful connection.

Glasvegas hasn’t just played their seminal album—they’ve resurrected it, reminding everyone in the room why this record still matters, why these songs still cut to the bone. Tonight, the old ship didn’t creak under the weight of nostalgia—it soared.