Live Review: Cavetown - Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow 10/03/2026
Ten years on since his first ‘official’ album, Cavetown’s is quietly triumphant in Glasgow as he reigns in a new era of artistry.
A Cavetown show is always full of charm, warmth and joy so on a rainy evening in the centre of Glasgow, it’s no wonder the Barrowlands Ballroom was fit to burst this week. Continuing to ride the wave from the release of his sixth album ‘Running With Scissors’, the gig was a celebration of identity, loving someone unabashedly, and being unafraid to stray from your roots.
The evening begins with Dreamer Isioma and their cries of ‘Are you ready to rock the f*** out’ signalling to the crowd that things are about to get angsty. Dreamer Isioma is everything and the kitchen sink; bold, unapologetic, and exciting, their artistry transcends genre and their charm is without limit. Nigerian-American, non-binary, queer and here to make their mark, their set is a celebration of identity and a call to action for the young people who are angry. Joined by the wonderfully talented Dante Swan on guitar, they own the stage (and the pit) with tracks ‘King’, ‘Sunset Drive’ and ‘Valentina’. Between flagrant displays of fiery Leo energy, Dreamer Isioma is brutally honest about their frustrations at the state of the world they find themselves in. Part speech part slam poetry, they incite change through joy as they tell the audience they ‘love being a part of this generation because we are the ones who make it funny’. The sermon leads into their breakout hit ‘Sensitive’ which has the crowd screaming along as they are lit up in red spotlights. Keen to give the crowd something to look forward to, Dreamer Isioma serves a real treat in upcoming single ‘Smile’, a heartfelt lyrical track about their journey towards healing. Their set closes with ‘Find Some Space’, a gloriously bassy track that leaves the room vibrating. Primed for the main event, the 1200 strong audience begin screaming at any lighting shifts or pauses in music, the atmosphere and sense of anticipation thick.
Cavetown’s set opens with ‘Skip’, the first song from the new album. Illuminated in black and blue, its a track that reels you in with its gentle guitar line before building up towards explosive distortion and rhythm. In keeping with the tracklist as it appears on the album, it is followed by ‘Cryptid’ which leans into the heavier end of Robin’s songwriting that is adorned with distortion and grungy guitar solos. In spite of the distinctly ‘rock n roll’ energy that is coming off the stage, Cavetown and his band are wonderfully coy and shy as they say simply ‘lets play some freaking songs or whatevs?’. Early highlights emerge in fan favourites ‘Sweet Tooth’ and ‘Rainbow Gal’. Fans scream ‘Say it back’ and ‘Without you there’s nothing else’ in a way that feels therapeutic; the heart at the core of Cavetown’s lyrics beating through all. The final in the first string of new songs is ‘Tarmac’, a sensational display of Robin’s vocal ability as he blends together haunted whispery sections with all out belting top notes.
Whilst it is the ‘Running With Scissors’ tour, it would be rude to not play some of the older tracks. Robin talks many times throughout the show about his love for the ‘OG Caveheads’ who have grown up alongside him and listened since his bandcamp and youtube days. As a proud member of this cohort, it was a joy to sing along with treasures like ‘Juliet’ and ‘Green’. Cavetown’s sound has grown and evolved since these were all released and it was exciting to hear them with the context of who he is as an artist now. The ways they’ve been reworked and given new leases on life all whilst still maintaining the integrity of what made them special in the first place is testament to Robin’s many talents as songwriter, producer and performer.
The joy that radiates off the stage is palpable, particularly on ‘Little Spoon’, a song Cavetown penned for his longtime partner. Unashamed and demonstrating that to be cringe is cool, they request that the audience channel their energy towards not just the person he loves the most, but to anyone else special who needs to hear the message ‘I love you and I miss you’. More than just endearing, its a demonstration of a love and comfort with oneself that cannot help but warm the soul. Robin laughs at the end, noting his certainty that she got the memo across the miles. The unapologetic loverboy energy returns later on in the set with ‘Wasabi’ which with the perspective of his current relationship has grown new meaning and importance. Compared to the technicolour sweetness from earlier, this track encompasses a love that is more sobering and honest. It’s a beautiful moment which I only wish could have lasted longer.
In between tracks whilst guitars get swapped out, the energy is playful and sweet. There’s acapella interludes of Pink’s ‘Raise Your Glass’ as water is passed around the crowd, and shoutouts to the many fans flying flags. With touching words about his gratefulness towards the community that have continued to build him up, Robin is frank about how important it is for us all to have fun amidst all the ‘whack out there’. The reminder that we deserve to enjoy ourselves and have a moment to forget the harsh reality of the world outside is devastating but in a way that makes it all the more important.
Huge kudos has to be given to the band for their talent, energy and charisma throughout. A step beyond his bedroom pop lofi days, the sound created by everyone onstage is powerful, punchy and gives Cavetown’s songs the production value they deserve. Wonderful lighting choices are made on ‘Let them know they’re on your mind’ which sees each of the band members lit up in a warm orange spotlight as they join in - one of many moments they are each given to shine. James on guitar has a particularly fun time on ‘Reaper’ which oozes the grit and confidence of an emo kid all grown up.
The set is closed with the hits, officially ‘Boys Will Be Bugs’ and then an encore of the oldest of the old, ‘Home’ and ‘Deviltown’, all zhuzhed up to match the tone of Cavetown today. ‘Home’ is particularly special as the stage is lit up in pink, white and blue; the colours of the trans flag. Not a dry eye in the ballroom. Nor a throat that hasn’t grown hoarse. To account for all the screaming, everyone onstage dials things up to 11 with Robin closing out the set with his feet in the air, an image of unabashed joy.
The Running With Scissors Tour continues into the spring and culminates with two shows in London’s Electric ballroom-one of which is already sold out. Cavetown will then venture into the continent, travelling to cities in Germany, Poland, Italy, France and more before taking a break to prepare for the US leg in the Autumn. Many of the gigs that haven’t already are nearing sell out but for those who haven’t yet snagged tickets, all eyes will be turning to festival lineup announcements over the coming weeks. To miss this music and the joy it brings live would be a real shame.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson