FLO returned to Glasgow for their first-ever Scottish headline show the other night. Watching them go from emerging talents with huge potential at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2023 to now stepping on stage with the confidence and poise of seasoned performers has been remarkable.

They once again proved themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting live acts on the global R&B scene.

For those who are unfamiliar with their music, FLO are an R&B trio from London, made up of Renée Downer, Jorja Douglas, and Stella Quaresma.

In my opinion, they’re creating a comeback for R&B girl groups. Their music blends the harmonies of Destiny’s Child, the vulnerability of Brandy, and the emotion of Mary J. Blige while still sounding fresh.

FLO are not just repeating what came before; they are taking inspiration from the past and turning it into something new. If Destiny’s Child started the movement, FLO is carrying it forward with their own exciting style.

The group first caught widespread attention back in 2022 with their debut single “Cardboard Box”. Their harmonies were what had been missing from modern R&B. Two years later, they’re more than simply ‘ones to watch’; they’re already filling venues across the UK. I have had the privilege of seeing them a few times now, and it’s safe to say their first Scottish headline gig at SWG3 Galvanisers felt like a full-circle moment for both them and their fans alike who’ve followed them since the very beginning.

The night opened with Sekou, a rising London-based musician whose name is gaining traction.

He opened with his hit song ‘Catching Bodies’ and soon captured the audience. His voice was deep and impassioned, blending vulnerability with true strength. Even attendees who were unfamiliar with his music were intrigued by his performance and I must say that I feel his performance has massively improved since seeing him supporting Reneé Rapp.

It was then time for the main event. The girls are here! Despite the slight delay, it was clear from the beginning that this would be a show to remember. They appeared onstage behind three doorways with bright red curtains.

Projections of their silhouettes lit up each member as the Cynthia Erivo “This Is FLO” intro blasted from the speakers, building anticipation.

Act I began with the first track on the album ‘AAA’, followed by all three girls strutting down the staircase, a brief choreography break, and a segue into their hit single ‘Walk Like This’.

Both were presented with zeal and passion, getting the audience moving straight away. This was followed
by one of their biggest songs, ‘Check’, which they began performing while seated in a triangle arrangement on the staircase, providing an intimate feel before getting back to their subtle choreography. This was combined with a throwback to the 2000s, with a tiny excerpt of Ghost Town DJs’ ‘My Boo’

A major highlight for me was their classic song ‘Fly Girl’, which had a high-energy dance break during Missy Elliott’s verse, which had the entire audience roaring and clapping. Another favourite moment was the mashup of ‘Not My Job’, ‘Feature Me’, and ‘Immature’ from ‘The Lead’ EP. This section paid homage to their beginnings and further highlighted their harmonies. This mash-up was added exclusively for the UK leg of this tour.

Act II begins with ‘History (Interlude)’. The trio then switched to ‘Soft’ and ‘On and On’. This part showcased FLO’s soulful, intimate side while also highlighting their vocal power. During ‘Soft’, their dance became more fluid and expressive, demonstrating the group’s confidence and artistry onstage. They also took inspiration from Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour and decided to do a mute challenge during the performance of “Soft”, a fun element added to the show and a bit of friendly competition. ‘Get It Till I’m Gone’ injected energy back into the concert, with subtle but slick choreography.

This Act concluded with ‘Bending My Rules’, ‘Caught Up’, ‘IWBH2BMX’, ‘Nocturnal’, and ‘How Does It Feel?’. Each track added to the momentum. From the start, you can tell these girls are here to stay. They truly are Destiny’s Child reborn.

‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’ was pure R&B excellence, a modern echo of Destiny’s Child’s apex. This is arguably the best track on the album, and hearing it live just solidified that. The harmonies and vocal stacking between the girls were phenomenal, from Renée’s deep harmonies to Jorja’s belts and Stella’s flawless vocal runs and riffs.

Act III began with two interludes, ‘The Pact’ and ‘Trustworthy’, laying the groundwork for the night’s most emotional performance, ‘Losing You’. The crowd lit up the venue with phone torches, and FLO’s harmonies filled the air, giving me chills. This was the section of the show that blew me away the most, particularly Stella Quaresma’s high note near the end and Renée and Jorja’s perfect harmonies alongside her.

This then led to the fan favourite from their debut album. ‘In My Bag’, which was packed with iconic choreography from Sean Bankhead that went viral all over social media.

Next up was their most recent collaboration, ‘The Mood’ with legendary producer Kaytranada. FLO then surprised us with an unexpected new take on their debut single ‘Cardboard Box’, combining it with the instrumental from Usher’s ‘Bad Girl’. The audience’s reaction was electrifying, as a familiar song became something new and exhilarating.

Then it was time for arguably the best performance of the night, ‘I’m Just A Girl’. This is my favourite track on the album, and I had a feeling it would work well in a live setting, but oh my, what a performance. The girl’s vocal prowess was really put on display in the last section; Jorja was singing as if her life depended on it, and Stella’s extremely high note near the end reminded me of Beyoncé!

Renée blended flawlessly with them both. This is definitely the best I have ever seen them perform. This song is more ‘rock’ inspired compared to the soft R&B on the rest of the album, but the vocal distortion on the mics made it a standout moment! Renée captured everyone’s attention from the first note; some people thought the show was over, but they immediately ran back to watch after hearing the opening drums and guitar riffs. The live vocals were truly mind-blowing, and as I left the show, I overheard several people discussing how insane their vocals were!

This Glasgow headline show was more than just a stop on their tour. It was a statement of intent. FLO proved they can command a stage, carry a set, and deliver a night that balances nostalgia with something unmistakably current. If their rise continues at this pace, this show will be remembered as one of those rare, intimate shows people look back on and say, “I was there before they blew up.

Live review and photography by K Gilfillan (@kgshoots_) for THE SONGBIRD HQ