Hinds return to Glasgow’s St Luke’s on their UK tour
The Spanish band stop off in Scotland.
Photo: Isla Kerr
Just twelve months since their last visit, Hinds returned to Glasgow on a dreary Thursday evening. Almost fifteen years into their career, they still have as much vibrancy as they did on day one. Tonight they burst onto stage with Hi, How Are You and had the crowd dancing from the get-go.
Their latest album VIVA HINDS is packed full of catchy yet profound tracks. Hinds have a way of not only relating to their listeners but involving them. Their power with words and sound is truly one of a kind.
As much was evident with the excitement in the air from the minute they appeared tonight. The girls introduced themselves as “We’re Hinds from a place called Madrid” (just in case you couldn't spy the massive yellow banner they had at the back of the stage saying so).
The light-hearted Boom Boom Back led into thoughtful Coffee before the crowd were treated to some classics from their earlier albums. Jumping around the stage Carlotta and Ana took turns on vocals and bassist Mira sings Grian Chatten’s sentimental section of Stranger.
Unsure if they have played this venue before because “life is very long” Carlotta and Ana recounted being given “the PDF with the wi-fi password” earlier in the day which, to their surprise, included a picture of them on the sofa in the green room. Jokingly, Carlotta suggests “maybe we have been gaslighted” but members of the crowd cheer to confirm they have in fact been here before. In turn, the pair thank those in the audience who have come again.
The Clash’s Spanish Bombs is almost a staple of Hinds’ setlist. Their reimagined version is a total crowd-pleaser and raises spirits so much that they even have a released recorded version.
Superstar, described by the duo as “maybe the darkest song we’ve ever written”, originated in the pandemic when they contemplated their future, and the possibility of never playing live again. Tonight that song takes on a degree of defiance, a euphoric anthem from a band who are doing what they love.
Before the night draws to a close, Carlotta leaps onto Anna’s back to be piggybacked across the stage. The girls then invite a crowd member up to play guitar as they swap the stage for the floor to involve the audience in their performance, being engulfed by a mosh pit.
Hinds have serious star-power; it almost feels like they were born to be on stage. The entire room was transfixed by them tonight, myself included. It was my first time at a gig of theirs and it’s safe to say it won’t be my last.
All photos by Isla Kerr.