Revenant – Live at Ivory Blacks, Glasgow
Review By Darren McIntyre, images by Scott Anderson
Revenant are a four-piece rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse from Newbury who have wasted absolutely no time making their presence felt on the UK circuit. Formed in 2023 and already armed with their debut EP What A Time To Be Alive (2024), the band have grafted hard on stages up and down the country, sharpening their sound through relentless gigging and carefully chosen support slots. Now with their new EP Best Medicine under their belts, the boys rolled into Glasgow’s iconic Ivory Blacks for only their second Scottish show — and while the crowd may not have been massive, what they lacked in numbers they made up for in noise, passion and pure Weegie warmth.
Catching up with the lads before the show, conversation ranged from future plans to the great Sainsbury’s chicken versus turkey debate — standard rock ‘n’ roll stuff. But once stage time hit, the chat stopped and the business began.
They opened with “Public Service Announcement”, and it was anything but subtle. A siren wailed through the venue before rasping guitars tore into the room. The cymbals crashed, the snare punched hard, and Sam Lay’s gritty, rousing vocals soared above a thick, muscular bassline courtesy of Robin Nutley. From the off, it was clear: Revenant don’t warm up — they ignite. It was a no-nonsense, fist-pumping opener that immediately demanded attention.
Straight into “Best Medicine”, Carl Donoghue locked in a tight, snazzy groove from behind the kit, controlling the tempo with confidence. The band sounded razor-sharp — no rust, no hesitation — just a slick, cohesive unit firing on all cylinders. Sam’s more mellow vocal approach here showed range and restraint, while Matthew Hudson’s crisp guitar licks added colour and swagger. The groove rolled smoothly through Ivory Blacks, and the Glasgow crowd responded in kind, fists in the air and cheers bouncing off the walls.
The banter flowed thick and fast throughout the night. The lads reminisced about their previous Scottish stop at Bannermans, sparking the inevitable debate about which city boasts the better crowd. Glasgow, naturally, made their feelings known.
“Waste My Time” delivered a punk-infused stomp, full of crisp twin guitar interplay and an infectious rhythm section that simply refused to sit still. Sam’s raw, edgy vocal tone is what sets this band apart — there’s grit there, but also control and melody. It’s that balance between classic rock swagger and modern bite that makes Revenant feel fresh.
The newer track “Something Ur Not” showcased the band’s more melodic side. A soulful bassline wrapped around a rousing guitar lick while Carl steered the rhythm with ease. It’s a track that highlights their songwriting maturity — catchy hooks, soaring riffs and a tight, dynamic structure. The chemistry between the four is undeniable; they just get each other.
Merch plugs were delivered with humour — Sam joking that if we bought enough T-shirts, Robin might get to eat tomorrow. (For the record, I did my bit and added to my ever-growing collection — much to my wife’s despair.)
The mood shifted beautifully for “Healer”, with Sam encouraging phone lights in the air. His soaring melodic vocals gave the track real depth and emotional weight. The rhythm section thundered beneath him, gutsy and grounded, while a slick mid-song guitar solo rippled effortlessly through the venue. It was one of the night’s standout moments — a reminder that beneath the swagger lies genuine musical substance.
“Black Dogs & Sad Men” leaned into a heavier groove, Matt stepping forward with a meaty riff that let the rhythm section drive hard. Toe-tapping yet weighty, it’s a track that allows the band to flex their dynamics, shifting gears seamlessly. The crowd were fully on board now, singing along and throwing fists skyward.
If there was ever any doubt about their ability to turn up the heat, “Masquerade” erased it. A deeper, pulsing bassline gave the song real soul, while galloping riffs and rumbling snare work injected urgency. Carl wandered confidently across his kit, unleashing controlled chaos that culminated in a sweet, melodic solo that hit the mark perfectly.
A bold move came with their take on “When The Levee Breaks” — and fair play, they owned it. Tackling Zeppelin is no small task, but Revenant delivered a darker, groove-heavy version that suited their style. The bassline was deliciously thick, and Sam made the vocal his own without straying from the spirit of the original.
Heading into the final stretch, “Coming Back To Life” surged forward with galloping energy and twin guitar harmonies that filled the room. The band were visibly loving every second, feeding off the Glasgow response and giving everything back tenfold.
Closing with “I’ll Be There”, Revenant delivered a powerful, emotionally charged finale. A dark bass intro set the tone before the full band kicked in with a roaring, meaty finish. Backing vocals added extra punch, and the final chorus landed with real weight. Sweat poured, smiles widened, and Ivory Blacks echoed with well-earned applause.
Revenant might still be early in their journey, but nights like this prove they are building something serious. Tight, energetic, melodic and packed with personality, they blend classic rock foundations with modern grit in a way that feels authentic and exciting.
And let me put it this way — these boys are tighter than an American paintballer’s jockstrap. And that’s saying something.
If you get the chance to catch Revenant live, do it. Small venue or big stage, they deliver the same fire, the same groove, and the same unwavering commitment. Glasgow won’t be the last city they win over.
Revenant
Sam Lay – Vocals / Guitar
Matthew Hudson – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Robin Nutley – Bass
Carl Donoghue – Drums
Setlist:
Public Service Announcement
Best Medicine
Waste My Time
Something Ur Not
Healer
Black Dogs & Sad Men
Masquerade
When The Levee Breaks (Cover)
Coming Back To Life
I’ll Be There
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