By Emily MacLean, First Year English
On a typical rainy Sunday evening in Bristol, the sold-out crowd at the O2 Academy found refuge in the infectious energy of The Snuts’ unforgettable performance. The eclectic crowd, spanning a wide range of ages, was united by their enthusiasm for The Snuts, with many fans proudly wearing the band’s merchandise as a symbol of their devotion.
One of the evening’s greatest rewards was the chance to experience the opening performance by Siobhán Winifred. Winifred radiated sheer stage presence, expertly striking the perfect balance between authentic vulnerability in her interactions with the audience and commanding self-assurance during her performance. Everyone instantly became a fan and I am very excited to see what lies ahead in her promising career.
A particularly breathtaking moment came during Winifred’s cover of ‘505’ by the Arctic Monkeys. As the crowd fell silent and white lights illuminated the audience, a sea of phones rose to capture the memory of this phenomenal talent. After treating the crowd to some unreleased songs and creating an opportunity for crowd participation during nearly every song, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the audience immediately added Don’t Do Well Alone, Winifred’s debut EP, to their playlists as soon as they arrived home.
As the countdown to The Snuts' arrival began, the crowd grew incredibly energised. Everyone spontaneously engaged in an hour-long struggle for a central position, resembling the sardine-like density typical of a headline festival act – certainly surpassing the usual liveliness of a Sunday evening!
The band strolled onto the stage to the uplifting tune of ‘Millionaires’, sunglasses characteristically plastered to vocalist Cochrane’s face, the audience erupting in celebration. The center of the crowd jumped energetically while those on the edges danced passionately, with everyone enthusiastically yelling each lyric. The optimistic and carefree chorus of ‘Millionaires’ poignantly set the tone for the evening.
After a few songs of endless adrenaline, Cochrane began addressing the crowd, his Scottish accent acting as an unquestionable reminder of the band’s West Lothian roots.
Speaking with his usual self-mocking humour, Cochrane recounted an earlier encounter with a Bristolian in his hotel who remarked on how similar his accent to that of The Snuts. The audience particularly enjoyed this tale, bursting into laughter (after a brief pause to translate his accent, of course).
The energy throughout the evening remained joyful and upbeat, with an impressive synergy between the crowd and band. It was remarkable how the audience transformed into a unified, constantly animated entity, sharing in every lyric shouted back at the band.
Towards the end of the set, the tone became more emotionally raw, notably with the touching performance of ‘What’s Going On’ - a song they wrote at age fifteen. This song resonated deeply with the crowd, providing a cathartic release for all.
The atmosphere clearly merited more songs, meaning that there was barely a delay between the band’s exit and the start of the encore.
The band called for a moment of nostalgia with their debut single ‘Glasgow’ and concluded with the jubilant track ‘Gloria’ from their new album, paying homage to their musical evolution. It was remarkable that after nearly two hours, the energy remained just as powerful and uplifting as during their opening song.
The audience vacated the O2 Academy still chanting the lyrics of ‘Gloria' and swaying together in the memory of this incredible evening.
Featured Image: Emily MacLeanWhat is your favourite song from Millennials?
