It wasn’t on the flyer, but you could feel it: this was the kind of night where you left your inhibitions at the door — a night of gay abandon, joy, catharsis, and confessional punk.
The Garage bore witness to two very different kinds of transcendence on Saturday night. First up, Glasgow’s Dancer delivered a frenetic, Grogan/Morissette-voiced, Debbie Harry-esque, genre-hopping set — fuelled by charisma, chaos, and sheer musical chemistry. Then, The Hotelier transformed the room into a sanctuary of sweat-soaked communion: part confessional, part collective exorcism, high on energy, killer riffs, and resonant, rhythmic repetition. Both bands, in wildly different ways, reminded us why live music matters. It does matter, doesn’t it?
Now then, Dancer is Gemma Fleet (vocals), Chris Taylor (guitar), Gavin Murdoch (drums), and Andrew Doig (bass)- it seems to us a mystery how the four people on stage actually met each other and decided to form a band, but surprisingly, somehow, it bloody works.
Dancer’s performance was both intimate and expansive."
Gig Economy starts us off; its rhythmic insistency on bass and drums, skilful, intricate riff on lead guitar and monologue-style vocals are a classic post punk formula which captures hearts and minds from the very beginning.
After what turns out to be a signature abrupt ending, we segue into Just Say Yes, which delightfully stuns us with another killer bass solo. The start-stop guitars and the clash of merging riffs and beats deliver a kind of abruptness that sparks joy – the kind we at 1st 3 just live for. It’s that euphoric communion of people loving what they do. The enjoyment Gemma radiates on stage is infectious; she clearly loves performing, and we’re swept away with her into a realm of chaotic, euphoric madness.
This unit has some tight musicianship for sure."
Gemma’s self-described “squeaky” voice is a perfect foil to the stellar guitar playing and rock steady drums, its tight energy fuelling the joy-driven set. This unit has some tight musicianship for sure – there is something that we call total communication there. While Chris and Gavin are constantly looking, counting, checking; Andrew barely looks up from the floor and Gemma is a sweet, almost saccharine singular sundae of swooshing hair and youthful, melodic vocals.
This was a potent, inclusive, polished and emotional set that pulsed and warmed the large, highly appreciative crowd. Telling us it had been a “really good community feel” and “a privilege”, Dancer threw genre after genre at us: from reggae to surf, hip hop to 12 bar blues with some tongue twisters thrown in for good measure. Dancer’s performance was both intimate and expansive, but always immersive, always exhilarating and always thoroughly enjoyable.
Following on, bold and mighty, The Hotelier swept onto the stage and – oh brother – they effortlessly, powerfully, and utterly convincingly transformed The Garage into a confessional: a collective, communal singing therapy session where the whole town was invited, and belonging felt possible for anyone who sought it.
Tonight was about digging until something real broke through."
A slow intro; resolute, life-affirming, reassuringly steady, Hotelier start their service with a beat, and ostinato with increasing layers over the top. First piano notes, then a vocal hum, then something that sounds like…bagpipes? In finale to this startling, compelling opening, an impossibly strong, secure a capella voice, triple fortissimo, calls to his flock. Front person Christian Holden stares straight ahead, that first lyric, raw and unrepentant, and the room listened as if its own secrets were being sung aloud. An octave apart, the keys player joins in song and a wave of pure, perfect sound pulses across their followers. Everyone is ready.
It was sweaty, breathless, vulnerable - and absolutely electric."
There’s a prestissimo beat, a palpable surge of energy and suddenly, without warning, a huge wall of communal singing sound – like a male voice choir, such is the lustiness and fervour of the collective voice. It’s a post-punk football crowd, same passion with a lot more tune! Hotelier’s following isn’t casual – they’re family. Every fan knew every word, shouted back with near-violent devotion. The Garage pulsed with the intimacy of an inside joke, but the music kept hitting like a revelation. It was sweaty, breathless, vulnerable – and absolutely electric.
If we thought they may have peaked too soon, we were wrong. Hotelier are skilled in controlling the temperature of the room and the adoration of fans was such that the devotion only grew, the charismatic unadulterated servility multiplied as the night went on. Holden’s voice is rich, strong, full bodied and oh so powerful- we miss its sonorous warmth as he pushes it to its emotional limit and the sweet rush of pleasure as he returns to melody is captivating, leaving us deliciously and excitingly confused.
If you walked in looking for surface-level thrills, this was a testament to sincerity and belief."
There are no theatrical flourishes – just unadulterated authenticity. Christian prowled the stage like he was fighting his own demons, eyes shut at times, wide open at others. The twin guitars (Austin and Nick) chimed and shredded in perfect counterpoint, bassist Sam anchored with quiet force, and drummer Shawn drove the storm behind them. Song-to-song, they shifted between introspection and noise seamlessly. Mid-set, Christian stepped offstage, mic in hand, and walked into the crowd. Fans held him up as he gestured like a preacher leading a congregation. Total trust was held and understood like a particularly spectacular baring of souls. At other times, the whole room swayed as one, voices rising in simultaneous catharsis. Because of the versatility of Hotelier’s music, they could play with the fans’ emotions- raise them- bring them back down, build them, release them; but the ultimate goal was consistent- we are all one, we are here together, we believe in each other, this is us. We belong.
It was as tender as it was punishing, it was monumental in the most sincere way. If you walked in looking for surface-level thrills, this was a testament to sincerity and belief. Tonight was about digging until something real broke through. This was a raw, heart-wrenching glimpse into grief, growth, and the power of punk to speak the unspeakable.
The Hotelier played The Garage, Islington, Saturday May 31st 2025
Support from Dancer