Horns Up in Glasgow: Preacher Stone Ignite Ivory Blacks with Pure Southern Fire

Preacher Stone – Live at Ivory Blacks, Glasgow
Review by Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

Preacher Stone rolled into Glasgow and turned Ivory Blacks into a sweat-soaked Southern rock revival, delivering a no-frills, all-heart show that reminded everyone exactly why this band has earned its reputation the hard way. Formed in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2008 and propelled onto the global stage after their music featured on Sons of Anarchy, Preacher Stone have shared stages with giants like ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke and Black Stone Cherry. But tonight wasn’t about history lessons—it was about raw power, connection, and a crowd fully locked into every note.

From the moment the lights dimmed and ‘Hard Life PhD’ thundered into life, it was clear this was going to be something special. Wyatt’s drums hit like a freight train, Jim Bolt’s bass locked in deep and dirty, and the twin-guitar attack of Ben Robinson and Darrell Whitt sliced through the room with precision and swagger. Frontman Ronnie Riddle’s gravel-soaked vocals were commanding and soulful, instantly igniting an electric atmosphere that spread through the crowd like wildfire.

Despite the Ivory Blacks not being packed to the rafters, the energy was immense. Fists were in the air, heads were nodding, and every chorus was met with roars of approval. New material from By The Horns sat comfortably alongside fan favourites, proving just how strong and confident the band are right now. Tracks like ‘Old Joe’ and ‘Old Fashioned Ass Whoopin’ Sum Bitch’ hit hard, dripping with groove and Southern grit, while ‘That’s Just The Whisky Talking’ had the entire room stomping along in unison.

The middle of the set was relentless. ‘The Devil You Know’, ‘A Blessing & A Curse’ and ‘Not Today’ kept the momentum surging before Wyatt delivered a jaw-dropping drum solo that brought Ivory Blacks to a standstill. It was powerful, dynamic and totally captivating — a reminder that this band’s strength lies not just in songwriting, but in musicianship of the highest order.

As the night barreled towards its finale with ‘Think By Now’, ‘Horse To Water’ and ‘Come What May’, the connection between band and crowd felt unbreakable. Smiles, laughter, raised beers — this was a celebration. ‘Last To Know’ and ‘Save My Soul’ closed the show in classic Preacher Stone fashion: soulful, heavy, and full of heart, sending everyone back out into the Glasgow night buzzing and wanting more.

Preacher Stone didn’t just play Ivory Blacks — they owned it. A ferocious band, a fired-up crowd, and a Southern rock show that hit straight to the soul. If this is them “by the horns”, the future looks loud, proud, and unstoppable.

Ronnie also took a heartfelt moment during the set to publicly thank me and Jace Media Music for the continued support over the years. He spoke warmly about the importance of independent media, acknowledging the reviews, interviews, and ongoing backing that have helped spread the Preacher Stone message far and wide. It was a genuine, classy gesture that earned a big cheer from the crowd and perfectly summed up the band’s gratitude and down-to-earth spirit.