From the Streets to the Stage: Alex Spencer takes the stage at Glasgow’s King Tut’s
The 17-year-old put on a memorable show.
Photo: Lauren Cameron
It’s not every day you see a 17-year-old command a stage like he’s been doing it for decades but, then again, Alex Spencer isn’t your average teenage singer-songwriter. Bursting onto the scene after being discovered busking on the streets of Manchester, Spencer has quickly carved out a name for himself as one of the UK’s most exciting new young voices, and his recent headline show at Glasgow’s iconic King Tut’s proved exactly why.
Still riding the wave from landing his track Nightmares on the EA Sports FC25 Soundtrack soundtrack — no mean feat for any rising indie artist — Spencer’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Just a couple of short years ago, he was busking in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Fast forward to today, and he’s touring the UK with fans singing his lyrics back to him like they've known them forever.
This gig marked his second visit to the city, and it was clear the crowd had been waiting for him. King Tut’s — a venue renowned for being a launchpad for greats — was electric with energy from the second he stepped on stage. With his trademark mop of curly hair and undeniable stage presence, the 17-year-old Mancunian proved exactly why he’s one to watch.
With boundless energy and magnetic charisma, Alex commanded the stage at King Tut’s, channelling emotion far beyond his seventeen years. His street-savvy vocals and instinct for earworm hooks have marked him out in the indie scene, with tracks like Nightmares, One Way Ticket, and Do What I Wanna (to name a few). Alex had the crowd in the palm of his hands, singing every word right back at him. His lyrics — honest, heartfelt reflections on the highs and lows of growing up — hit that rare sweet spot; deeply personal, yet instantly relatable.
He closed the set with Bucket List, his latest release, which already feels like a future fan favourite. And, just when it seemed like the show was winding down, he surprised the crowd with a mash-up of sing-along anthems — throwbacks to his busking roots that had the whole room belting along. A cheeky nod to where it all began, and a fitting way to wrap up the night. And, in case the night needed any more heart-warming touches, his mum was in the crowd, cheering him on.
Spencer’s summer is set to get even bigger, as he’ll be returning to Glasgow for TRNSMT 2025, where he’ll take to the BBC Introducing Stage on Saturday, July 12th. It’s a huge moment for any emerging artist and, given the energy he brought to King Tut’s, you can bet his TRNSMT set will be one to remember.
With support slots for the likes of The K’s, Jamie Webster, Jake Bugg and Miles Kane already under his belt — not to mention appearances at Sound City, Neighbourhood Weekender and now TRNSMT — Spencer’s trajectory is only pointing upward.
Joyful, fun, and utterly electric, his gig at King Tut’s was the kind you walk away from knowing you’ve just witnessed the beginning of something special.
To put it in his own words: here’s to the rise of the young — Alex Spencer is absolutely what the future becomes.