Gardenia Publicity
Review By Darren McIntyre
Images by Scott Anderson
When Kezia Gill rolls into town, you know you’re in for more than just a gig — you’re getting a full-blown country party with heart, humour and a whole lot of soul. The Nottinghamshire singer-songwriter has been grafting for over 15 years, cutting her teeth across the UK, Europe, Australia and America, picking up awards along the way — and tonight in Glasgow, she proves exactly why those accolades are so richly deserved.
As the house lights fade and Viva Las Vegas blasts from the PA, the anticipation inside St Luke’s is electric. The band take their places and then Kezia appears — red fur coat, red sparkly jumpsuit, and pure superstar energy. Glasgow greets her like an old friend.
Life You Always Dreamed Of kicks things off in style. It’s punchy, confident and bursting with country swagger. Kezia’s smouldering vocals fill every corner of the venue, rich with emotion and grit. The rhythm section locks in tight, wrapping the groove around the crowd as she commands the stage with effortless charisma.
Strapping on her acoustic, she dives into Dublin’s Outta Whiskey, a foot-stomping bruiser that has the entire room singing along. The guitars shimmer, the beat drives hard, and the atmosphere lifts another notch. “It’s party night any night in Glasgow!” she laughs — and nobody argues.
Gut Feeling, fresh from Radio 2 airplay, showcases her songwriting at its sharpest. Crisp guitar tones and a toe-tapping groove have the crowd swaying, fully invested in every lyric. There’s warmth in the room tonight — you can feel it.
The hits keep coming. Whiskey Over Ice struts in with a snarly guitar riff and a punchy backbeat, hands flying into the air as the band hit their stride. Barbed Wire brings a bluesy edge and emotional depth, revealing just how much Kezia has grown since her last Glasgow visit. Six years on, there’s maturity and confidence pouring from her performance.
A heartfelt highlight arrives with Local Man’s Star, a touching tribute to her father. The venue falls silent, hanging on every word as Kezia pours her heart into the song. It’s raw, honest and beautifully delivered.
Girl Of Your Dreams and What If slow the pace, piano-led and intimate, giving Kezia space to tell her stories — nearly 20 years with “Lloydy” earning a huge cheer. These are the moments that define her — authenticity, humour and genuine connection.
Then comes the fun. Money In The Bank sees Kezia at the barrier, throwing branded “cash” into the crowd as the groove thunders behind her. Whiskey In A Wine Glass and If Heaven Has A Honky Tonk turn St Luke’s into a full-on hoedown, complete with shimmies and dancing in the aisles.
For the finale, This House Would Sing sees Alyssa Bonagura join the party, their voices blending beautifully in a celebration of friendship and shared musical roots. Just when we think it’s over, Kezia reappears in her “Oh Benidorm” denim jacket for a cheeky, laugh-out-loud encore that sends everyone home smiling.
From powerhouse vocals to heartfelt storytelling, Kezia Gill delivers a night packed with energy, emotion and pure country joy. Glasgow came to party — and Kezia made sure it was one to remember.
Kezia Gill
- Kezia Gill – Vocals / Guitar
- Steve Shirley – Guitar / Backing Vocals
- Andrew Jones – Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals
- Phil Donnelly – Bass / Backing Vocals
- Luke Barrett – Drums / Backing Vocals
Setlist
Life You Always Dreamed Of
Dublin’s Outta Whiskey
Gut Feeling
Whiskey Over Ice
Barbed Wire
Love You Next
Ride Or Die
Local Man’s Star
Girl Of Your Dreams
What If
Money In The Bank
Whiskey In A Wine Glass
If Heaven Has A Honky Tonk
This House Would Sing (Ft. Alyssa Bonagura)
Oh Benidorm
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