Indie pop superstar Holly Humberstone is set to release her second studio album in just over a week. I had the chance to attend one of her tour dates leading up to the release! Her first album, “Paint My Bedroom Black”, has been on repeat in my house since it came out. I couldn’t wait to hear some of her new songs. The singles we’ve heard so far are right up my alley.

These are her first full-band shows in almost two years, aside from festivals. Rising Geordie artist Heidi Curtis is joining her on support. Let’s find out if the concert at The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow was worth the wait!

Heidi Curtis

The night kicked off with a stripped-back performance from rising indie artist Heidi Curtis.

Heidi Curtis is a rising indie artist from Newcastle upon Tyne. She is known for being one of the UK’s most promising young voices. She has gained recognition for her passionate songwriting and powerful vocals, which delve into themes of love, sorrow, and self-discovery. She developed her skills on the grassroots music scene.

She has also supported well-known musicians such as Sam Fender and Paul Weller on their UK tour dates. In fact, she has often cited Sam as a major inspiration for her music, and it’s clear after seeing her live that she really puts everything into her craft.

After this, she released her debut single, “Undone”, in late 2025. In 2026, Curtis was named one of NME’s “Essential Emerging Artists”, representing a new generation of honest, guitar-driven British talent.

Holly Humberstone

Then the clock hit 9pm; it was time for Holly to take the stage. The stage was jam-packed with lots of props from her “Die Happy” music video. The props included gravestones, trees, and foliage. I knew this was going to be a great night. Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket is a stunning venue choice. Paired with all these props, it created an absolutely gorgeous stage setup.

Holly kicked off her set with the haunting song “Make It All Better”. She showcased a confident stage presence right from the start. This was refreshing to see. My main criticism of her last tour was her lack of stage presence. She seemed reserved and somewhat shy during her performances. Nevertheless, she is back now, and she’s back with a vengeance!

The lighting was very subtle, but when mixed with the smoke effects and graveyard themes, it created a perfect atmosphere. This combination produced an eerie introduction enhanced by strobe lights. As soon as Holly took the stage, the lighting transformed into something beautiful. This seamlessly transitioned into the lead single from her album, “To Love Somebody”. This track is creating a lot of excitement on social media. Many people are saying it is her best work so far. I’m inclined to agree! I didn’t expect it to be so early in the set list, but it worked perfectly!

The next few songs gave us our first glimpse into her brand-new studio album. “Cruel World” is set for release on April 10th. This was the first time she played these songs live. Currently, artists often go on tour just before their album releases. Fans usually aren’t thrilled about this. They feel they don’t have enough time to listen to the album. As a result, they find it difficult to decide whether to attend the shows. Still, I feel quite the opposite. I absolutely love it when artists do this. It gives us an early glimpse of what to expect. Yet, they keep a few songs under wraps. This way, we have some surprises during our first listen!

The next track we heard was another single, “Cruel World”, which was released just a few weeks prior. Nevertheless, it was the next song, “Blue Dream”, that really caught my attention. I’m really enjoying the change of direction with this new era. Her signature synth-driven melodies and soft guitar/piano sounds are still there. We are also getting a glimpse of another side of her songwriting. This song, in particular, was absolutely beautiful.

Holly then transitioned into one of the standout tracks from her first album, titled “Kissing in Swimming Pools”. Including this song at this point in the set was a great choice. It offered a glimpse into her earlier production style. “Kissing in Swimming Pools” balances itself between the raw minimalism of “Deep End”. It also contrasts with the cinematic scale of “Die Happy”. This positioning shows a clear step advancement in her production style. It still starts from an intimate place, with soft keys and close vocals. On the other hand, the arrangement feels much more structured and layered. Steady drums, subtle synth textures, and a warmer, fuller mix gradually come in.

The song stands out with its sense of forward motion. Instead of just floating in space, it has a gentle pulse that carries it along. This makes it feel more like a fully formed pop track. The production also plays more with texture. There are slightly distorted elements and ambient fills. Background layers add depth without overwhelming her voice. It’s still emotionally vulnerable. Yet, it is less fragile than her early work. It points toward the richer, more immersive sound she’d later fully embrace in her debut album.

After that, she moved on to her new material. But the next song became my standout moment of the entire night. “Die Happy” is honestly one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a long time. Holly’s vocals are dreamy and full of emotion, while the production is stripped back to just a soft guitar accompaniment.

In “Die Happy”, Holly Humberstone’s production style shifts dramatically. It moves away from her earlier, stripped-back piano-led intimacy. The new style is much more theatrical and expansive. The music begins with a simple foundation featuring her distinctive, intimate, and vulnerable vocal. It eventually evolves into a deep, atmospheric experience filled with layered synths, driving percussion, and rich textures.

This sound feels deliberate and widescreen. It contrasts sharply with her softer, demo-like, or indie-leaning tunes. It uses contrast and dynamic progression to show the intensity of the lyrics. There’s also a darker, gothic edge to it. Echoing elements and a sense of movement add urgency to the song. This indicates a shift toward a more polished, immersive alt-pop sound.

This show was mainly focused on the new album. Holly made sure to include some older songs in her set. After all, these songs were how she was discovered. These include “Paint My Bedroom Black” and her debut single, “Deep End”.

The single “Deep End” was released during the pandemic back in 2020. “Deep End” highlights her raw, minimal style, especially compared to later tracks like “Die Happy”. The production is stripped back. It focuses on soft piano, subtle ambient textures, and light percussion. This allows her vocals to convey deep emotion. This lo-fi, bedroom-pop aesthetic creates an intimate and vulnerable atmosphere. It showcases her evolution toward more cinematic and fuller arrangements over time.

After this, Holly and her band went straight back to the new songs. They gave us a little teaser of some more emotional tracks. The next one, titled “Beauty Pageant”, is her most heartbreaking yet relatable song. It focuses on the struggles of being a woman. The song explores feeling constantly compared to others and having every aspect of your life judged.

It also plays with the idea of never feeling good enough. I believe this is the part that resonated with the crowd the most. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. The song is stripped back to just piano. I think this will be the fan favourite from the new album. Many members of the crowd were in tears, and I was close to it. Holly’s vocals keep improving over time. The softness and raw emotion she puts into her music can really bring you to tears. She is such a captivating songwriter, and this new project is absolutely gut-wrenching at times.

The next song is titled “White Noise”. Unlike a piano ballad, this one is performed on guitar. It is not fully stripped down but somewhat danceable. The song is about trying to escape overpowering emotions and sensations. It does this by losing yourself in something or someone that drowns out everything else. According to the lyrics, the “white noise” metaphor refers to constant mental static. This includes anxiety, overthinking, or emotional chaos that never truly goes away. The song explores how being near another person temporarily quiets that.

That thought causes me to feel both relaxed and apprehensive. While the relationship is calming, it implies reliance, as if you require someone else to drown off your thoughts. This tension is characteristic of her writing, with a focus on seeking connection for comfort rather than love. The best moment of the song was when the disco ball illuminated the venue, bringing its beauty to life. Since then, Old Fruitmarket has been solidified as one of my top five venues in the country.

The relationship feels calming, but it also suggests a kind of dependence, like needing someone else to quiet your thoughts. This tension often shows up in her writing, where she explores connection for comfort instead of love. My favourite part of the song was when the disco ball lit up the venue and made everything look beautiful. Ever since that moment, Old Fruitmarket has been one of my top five venues.

The rest of the set featured typical Holly Humberstone classics like “Paint My Bedroom Black” and “Down Swinging”. There are also some new album tracks scattered in. Holly performed “Drunk Dialling” live for the first time just before the encore. The disco ball was on yet again, creating the most gorgeous atmosphere.

This song is more direct and rhythmic than Deep End and Kissing in Swimming Pools, which have a gentler vibe. The prominent drums and crisper bass, joined with sharper, often distorted synths, heighten the tension. She combines passionate vocals with controlled production. This approach brings a confident, modern alt-pop sound. It bridges her early minimalism with a larger, cinematic aesthetic.

Believe it or not, Scarlett is not actually Holly Humberstone’s biggest song. However, it is one of her most recognisable early tunes. If you saw her at a music event, you’ll remember it. This song helped shape her voice. Her breakthrough hits, “Deep End” and “Falling Asleep at the Wheel”, showcased her unique, piano-driven style. Later works include “Haunted House” and “The Walls Are Way Too Thin.”

These songs drew greater streaming traffic. They solidified her fan base. Tracks from her younger, cinematic pop era, such as “Die Happy” and “To Love Somebody”, are gaining popularity. As a result, “Scarlett” has become a popular transitional song and a fan favourite.

Then it was time for the encore. Holly returned to the stage for just two more songs. She thanked everybody for coming and shared her gratitude for all the love and support. Holly admitted that she was slightly nervous to come back after a long time without band shows. Nonetheless, she absolutely nailed it.

Kicking off the encore with “Lucy,” one of her saddest songs. Many people consider it the experience of watching someone they care about struggle with their mental health. They feel powerless to intervene. The lyrics express a close relationship, usually with a friend or sibling. This connection is marked by strong care and protectiveness. It also includes irritability, worry, and guilt. The song captures the excruciating dynamic of attempting to aid someone who is in pain. You are aware that you will be unable to properly contact them. This is especially true when they start pushing others away or retreating.

There’s also an undercurrent of self-blame. It’s as if she’s questioning whether she’s done enough or somehow contributed to their pain. This makes it feel even more intimate and heavy. Overall, it’s about love in its most difficult form. It involves staying available for someone in a dark place. This happens even when you feel powerless to change what they’re going through.

Then it was time for the final song of the night, dive. This is particularly effective as a closing track. It feels like the emotional conclusion of everything that has come before it. The song is about standing on the edge of something. It considers whether to truly let go and commit in the face of dread.

That unresolved, open-ended tension is ideal for closing a performance. It doesn’t neatly close things up. It leaves the audience with a sense of vulnerability. It also provides a possibility that lingers long after the act has ended. Sonically, it has that steady build and release that works well live. It conveys a sense of finality without being overtly explosive. It is more introspective than victorious.

Holly Humberstone’s music is rooted in intimacy. It is also rooted in emotional honesty. Ending on a song like “Dive” feels true to her identity. It closes the night on something raw, unresolved, and deeply human. It does not end with a clean, polished finish, and I think that is artistically genius

5/5 STARS

All words and images by Kyan Gilfillan.