Tom McGuire & The Brassholes – Live at Barrowland Ballroom (Celtic Connections)

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

There are gigs, and then there are full-blown, sweat-dripping, funk-fuelled celebrations of life. At Celtic Connections, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes didn’t just play the legendary Barrowlands — they detonated it.

The Glasgow eight-piece has built a formidable reputation since forming in 2019, blending funk, soul and rock into a genre-bending groove machine. With their latest album A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be – inspired by McGuire’s journey into fatherhood – carrying a deeper emotional weight, tonight’s sold-out Barras crowd were ready for something special. They got it in abundance.

As the lights dropped, McGuire bounded onstage — headband on, microphone in hand, mini trampoline at the ready — launching straight into “Why So Serious Pt 1 & 2″. A punchy drum intro and blasting brass ignited the floor instantly. The a cappella interplay and soaring horn lines had the crowd clapping, stomping and singing back every word. McGuire’s message was simple but powerful: life is hard; music gets us through.

“Take My Money” kept the groove flowing, the cowbell ringing, and the bassline prowling low and dark. The brass section were colossal all night, but here they were razor-sharp, adding punch to a rhythm section that never let up. McGuire bounced between mic and trampoline, equal parts ringmaster and soul preacher.

“Depth Perception” and “Super Solid Soul Vehicle” showcased the band’s precision – slick guitar solos, crisp keys and tight backing vocals all working in harmony. The energy pouring off that stage was relentless. “4th Floor” brought swagger and grit, while “The Tooth” simmered with bluesy undertones and brooding bass, the crowd swaying as the groove built layer upon layer.

One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments arrived with “Leaving You Behind”, featuring E.M. Kane and the Community Choir. The tempo eased, piano notes rippling gently as McGuire and Kane traded soulful, emotionally charged vocals. It was a reminder that beyond the party-starting exterior lies real depth and storytelling.

But this is a brassholes’ show — sentiment never lingers too long before the funk returns in force. “Do You Still” saw McGuire rip off his shirt and bounce across the stage as the choir lifted the roof. “Sick Well” and “Better” brought dark, sultry basslines and irresistible hooks, the Barras floor moving as one unified mass.

Closing with the high-energy “Unshakeable”, the brass section once again stole the spotlight, driving the groove home with swagger and precision. Of course, they weren’t done. The encore track “Ric Flair” turned the venue into one giant party — and just when you thought it couldn’t get any more surreal, McGuire appeared with a giant inflatable pizza slice and crowd-surfed from front to back.

It was chaotic. It was joyous. It was utterly brilliant.

Tom McGuire & The Brassholes delivered funk, soul and heart in equal measure — a masterclass in live performance that left Glasgow grinning long after the house lights came up.