Rosie Doonan – Live at The Hug and Pint

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

There’s something quietly special about a Friday night at The Hug & Pint when the rain lashes down outside and the room inside hums with anticipation. Tonight, that buzz belongs to Wakefield-born, Tyne & Wear-rooted songwriter Rosie Doonan — a Northern talent steeped in musical heritage and storytelling craft.

Born into a family of musicians — her grandfather John Doonan, a world-renowned piccoloist, and her father Mick, a founding member of Hedgehog Pie and later The Mighty Doonans — Rosie carries tradition lightly but confidently. With inspirations ranging from The Beta Band to Joni Mitchell, she brings a modern folk lens to Glasgow, and the intimate venue suits her perfectly.

We arrive just as ‘Brother’ fills the room. Twin keys shimmer beneath slick guitar lines while Rosie’s textured, soulful vocals wrap themselves around the crowd. There’s weight in her delivery — emotion without excess — and the deep bassline gives the song a richness that immediately commands attention. Conversations stop. Heads nod. The connection is instant.

“Too Much Love” follows with thoughtful lyricism and mellow piano tones, Rosie guiding us through stories that clearly mean something personal to her. The rhythm section settles into a smooth, assured groove, and the band’s chemistry becomes increasingly apparent. Every note feels considered, every harmony deliberate.

“Sweet Kinda Feeling” brings a smouldering vocal performance layered over crisp snare hits and warm bass pulses. The tempo shifts subtly, giving the arrangement breathing space while Rosie’s voice leads confidently from the front. On the compact Hug & Pint stage, the band make their presence felt without overwhelming the intimacy.

Before “Man In The Car”, Rosie shares the song’s darker themes of greed and indifference. The mellow guitar picking and layered keys provide depth, while Krish Thiruchelvam’s guitar work adds texture and movement. “Heart Of Stone” injects a subtle funk undercurrent, toe-tapping yet still steeped in folk sensibility.

“Therapy” strips things back slightly, Rosie peeling away emotional layers with a delicate but commanding vocal. Georgia Jakubiak’s backing vocals add warmth, while Sam Lawrence’s bass brings a delicious low-end groove. “Now Now Now” edges into darker territory, almost spoken-word in places, with brooding instrumentation and a chorus the audience happily joins.

The closing run of “Coming Home”, “Gone”, and the final track “Winter Song” brings the evening to a beautifully understated climax. The piano-led finale is breathtaking in its simplicity. The room falls silent as Rosie showcases her range — controlled, expressive, utterly captivating.

Rosie Doonan doesn’t need grand gestures or bombast. With heartfelt songwriting; a tight-knit band — Krish Thiruchelvam (guitar), Sam Lawrence (bass), Georgia Jakubiak (keys/backing vocals), and Jamie Lockheart (drums); and a voice rich with character, she held The Hug & Pint in the palm of her hand.

On a cold Glasgow night, she brought warmth, depth and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful performances come wrapped in quiet confidence.