THE FRONT ROW

It’s a special kind of magic when a band returns to the city where it all began, and tonight (22.05) at York Crescent, Glass Caves delivered a homecoming show that felt both nostalgic and newly electric. With a packed crowd buzzing for the long weekend, the band, kicking off their Back To Earth Tour, treated fans to a setlist that traversed the past decade of their career, all in support of their stellar sophomore record, Back to Earth.

We sadly missed the opening night so starting off the night for us were local heroes Youvee, who, true to form, lit the touchpaper with a polished, alt-rock sound that has echoes of U2 and The Temper Trap but remains entirely their own. Their 2024 single “Fancy People” shimmered under the stage lights, its soaring vocal hooks setting a high bar early on. The mood darkened slightly but impressively for “Ultraviolet,” a track with more weight and grit, showcasing the band’s versatility. There’s no denying Youvee are one of York’s most consistent and captivating live acts, tight, confident, and always elevating the room.

By the time Glass Caves took to the stage, the energy in the Crescent had boiled into anticipation. With zero hesitation, the band launched straight into “Swim”, a bold move, flipping the script by opening with a track usually reserved for the set’s climax. It worked. The crowd, caught slightly off-guard but wholly on board, erupted. That decision set the tone for a night that constantly surprised, all while feeling totally assured.

Glass Caves have always been a live force, their roots as buskers in the streets of York forged in sweat and spontaneity. But this night was something else, a masterclass in progression, showmanship, and heart. The band’s newer material from Back to Earth slots in seamlessly with their older fan favourites. “Otherside” brought a surge of euphoria, its driving rhythm and expansive chorus making it an early standout. “Yes You Can” also was a highlight, a motivational banger with arena-ready energy, while “I Know You Know” was the main set closer – a new favourite and the number one track on Spotify.

The band clearly know the value of balance, structuring the set like a well-told story. The debut album wasn’t forgotten either, “Go” and “Out of Control” both earned ecstatic singalongs, the audience remembering every word as though no time had passed at all. That sense of shared memory only deepened as the band dove into their 2020 EP A Spin Around the Sun. “Eye to Eye” hit especially hard, its dreamy guitar lines dancing around a propulsive beat, while “Who Are You” built into a cathartic crescendo that had fists raised high.

Glass Caves are not ones to ignore their earliest work, either. “Do You Have A Name” arrived like a lightning bolt from their formative I Do EP, raw and defiant, still sounding fresh almost a decade on. It’s a testament to the band’s songwriting consistency that their earliest material can still command the same attention as their latest. Closing the night with “Alive,” also from I Do, felt symbolic, the end looping back to the beginning, a reminder of where it all started and how far they’ve come.

Nestled mid-set was a moment for longtime fans to savour: the appearance of “Taipei Nights,” the glistening highlight from 2019’s Trilogy EP. With its sleek, nocturnal vibe and pulsing groove, it served as a perfect bridge between the band’s past and present sonic explorations. If Back to Earth is about grounding and reflection, “Taipei Nights” represents the introspective detours that shaped that journey.

Frontman Matt Hallas was in fine form throughout, vocals soaring and eyes constantly scanning the crowd with the look of someone fully aware of, and deeply grateful for, the moment. His chemistry with the rest of the band was palpable, especially on older cuts where instinct takes over and muscle memory gives way to joy. York has always embraced Glass Caves, and the feeling is clearly mutual. Whether it was the shoutouts to how this city made the band, or the knowing nods between crowd and stage, this was more than just a tour stop. It was a celebration.

There’s something poetic about a Thursday night gig ahead of a bank holiday, people itching to let loose, to be moved, to feel something real, and Glass Caves gave them all of that in spades. The setlist was generous, the performance airtight, and the atmosphere electric without ever losing its intimacy. In a world of algorithm-led pop and fleeting TikTok trends, Glass Caves offer something refreshingly grounded: real songs, played by real musicians, in real venues, for real fans.

As the final notes of “Alive” rang out and the band took their photo with the crowd, it was clear that this wasn’t just a night to remember for the fans. It was a statement from a band that’s grown, endured, and returned not just to a stage, but to their roots, with a new record that cements their place in the alt-rock landscape.

Glass Caves at York Crescent wasn’t just a gig. It was a homecoming, a celebration, and a reaffirmation that some of the best live moments happen when the lights are low, the amps are loud, and the band is playing like their lives depend on it.