Who
Half Man Half Biscuit
Support
JD Meatyard
Where
Glasgow O2 Academy
When
19th September 2025
Price
£25.00
Who with
No-one
Position
Towards the front
Comments
So Half Man Half Biscuit continue to storm ahead to solidify their status as my most seen band ever, although the 2026 Super Furry Animals reunion could give them a chance to catch up again a little. Although I'm watching HMHB so often now that it's hard to imagine them being overtaken again. I'm not mad enough to have gone to Scotland just to see them but I'd had plans to visit anyway, deciding wisely to arrange my visit around this and booking an extra Friday off work to travel to Glasgow one day earlier. Later The Beta Band announced a Manchester show the very night I was in that neck of the woods on my return journey, so the timing was just impeccable. The ticket was only £25 - or a less cool £32.60 after fees - and I'd delayed my return visit to Scotland specifically to ensure that Paisley Museum and Inverness Castle had reopened, so was pretty fucking pissed off that both had had their openings delayed due to incompetence that would make the English blush. I was seeing the guys on a lot of their shows now, and had redone my greatest hits compilation on the back of the Peak Cavern show in the summer, this time opting for four 20 song compilations, splitting their career into four eras. I'd also heard the new album again the week before the show and was definitely up for it. As far as holiday planning was concerned I was behind, and I only finalised my Glasgow itinerary and completed my packing the night before, not even having time to get my car checked over before embarking on its longest journey ever. I'd generally planned four 1 week holidays for each remaining year of the 2020s and this was the only two week trip I was intending to take before 2030, so I think I can forgive myself for being so busy, not writing up this review until over five weeks after the show. Also I'd visited Kos in Greece and had had overnight weekend stays in Lytham St Annes and Derby since the show and the two week holiday that followed, so I reckon I can let myself off the hook.

On the morning I drove as quickly as I could up to Glasgow, perhaps doing the longest non stop drive I ever have done, almost reaching the Scottish border before realising that I was unlikely to find a McDonalds in time for breakfast so stopping off at a Burger King instead. I made a special stop at Crawford Castle, which was quite isolated and involved a somewhat dodgy climb through long grass and opening a farm gate to get closer to it. There were no signs encouraging me to approach or to stay away, and as the sometimes torrential rain on the journey had stopped I wanted to have a reasonable look, also enjoying the views of the River Clyde a little further upstream before it reached Glasgow. I then reached my hotel in the suburbs of Glasgow, parking immediately outside on the road for free after being pleased to get petrol for exactly the same price I pay in Wolverhampton. I had a lot I wanted to see for Heritage weekend - or Open Doors day as they call it up north or in London - so I got the local train directly to Glasgow Central to embark on some sightseeing. I was keen to see some things but I also regarded this as a bit of a bonus day and had tried not to set too much stock on doing a lot. A safe journey, a few sights and a great show was plenty, anything else was a bonus. I visited the beautiful Merchant Hall and then the Police Museum before revisiting the Museum Of Modern Art, which was deeply disappointing as most of the art was unchanged from my last visit two years ago. Also the beautiful ground floor gallery was again plunged in darkness for a dull video installation, meaning that the prettiest part of the building was again impossible to see properly. I still held a grudge from the photo Nazi Banksy exhibition here which I'd thankfully avoided, as refusing to let people take photos of works by a street artist is the most moronic thing imaginable, and I'm disappointed that the gallery hadn't told him to allow pictures or to get fucked.

The most famous and best artwork remained the traffic cone donning the Duke Of Wellington statue outside, and the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham is a much stronger candidate as best modern art gallery for sure. I stopped nearby for a takeaway haggis and chips lunch which I ate on a bench, before heading to the Wasp Gallery and just photographing the main hall as the gallery itself looked more like an Estate Agents and not at all inviting or interesting. By now time was getting on and possibly they were closing up anyway. I ate my evening meal in a very nice converted church and had no drama going upstairs afterwards to check out the other rooms, and despite being pretty full up I couldn't resist getting a Toffee Crisp McFlurry. I hung near the River Clyde as I was impressed by all of the graffiti there, before eventually crossing a bridge towards Glasgow Academy as the sun was setting and the skies were pink and pretty. The venue itself was a little walk away from the centre in a quieter part of Glasgow, but it was beautifully illuminated, with Half Man Half Biscuit's name in lights as it should be. I got in after a drama free search using the shitty app rather than a ticket, and the venue had an appealing entrance and an elevated rear section with steps down from the rear bar to the main standing area, affording excellent views and great old school theatre vibes for everyone. Firstly I looked at the merch store but nothing jumped out, although I did spot that there was a raffle for a painting of HMHB which actually looked like a photo. The King Of Hi Vis was wandering around and the support band JD Meatyard were already onstage, but I focused on making these notes which is good really as otherwise I'd have forgotten just about everything beyond what my video and photos had captured. Also my phone was behaving well, needing just one restart to fix the touch screen going bad, although it did end up at 10% battery life as the evening finished. It's surprising that after contracting the purple screen of death and the replacement screen overheating and then breaking that it seems to have settled down now after its second replacement.

The less said about my camera the better though, and if I can bring myself to relive the trauma I may mention that in a future review. Here though everything was great. Somebody passed the singer from the support band a Guinness to which he pointed out that it's good for you, and the band had nice lights and three members onstage, including one sporting a mohawk. They had similar vibes to Coventry HMHB support act The Crapsons, but as I'd missed the start of their set, was intently making other notes and now so much time has elapsed, I'm afraid I can't really remember anything else. When they departed the stage I thought I'd head for the loo but I saw a long queue so gave up and wandered back in, managing it just about as the venue was getting rather busy. It was either a sell out or close, and it did make me wonder if Half Man Half Biscuit had ever played to such a large crowd before? Certainly it felt above average, and it's unusual that they can play here in Glasgow yet are visiting a smaller Wolves venue in November rather than the Civic. I saw a few nice t-shirts in the crowd including one of The Trumpton Riots EP artwork and one referencing the man with a mullet lyrics. Before HMHB took to the stage a couple appeared to do the draw for the raffle, which was very British but I didn't want the hassle of getting a large painting home, and had not entered. The band appeared onstage a little after 8.30pm, and I couldn't help wondering if they'd be driving all the way back to Birkenhead tonight, as that would be a little mad. Apparently their intro track was Mouldy Old Dough by Lieutenant Pigeon, giving the band time to tune up before launching into opening number She's In Broadstairs. I shot videos for most songs so I'll try not to keep mentioning that, but I could barely see Carl on drums in his red t-shirt and Karl was doing backing vocals throughout, even joining Neil on the chorus of She's In Broadstairs. Although it's a shame when a band lose a longstanding member, Karl seemed to bring much more energy than Ken used to, and a willingness to sing is probably the main reason for that.

There was a swirling background and Nigel was wearing glasses initially and pulling rock star poses with his guitar. The three guys up front were all wearing black tops and the sound was a little out but seemed to improve, although it sounded tinny on my earlier videos. Fuckin' 'Ell It's Fred Titmus I recorded from near the opening to the inevitable crowd participation chorus, and Horror Clowns Are Dickheads featured great guitar and the swirls had now been replaced with smoke and simpler lights, which makes sense as it's weird seeing HMHB having any kind of backdrop. Nigel gave away his water bottle and failed to catch a replacement bottle that Neil threw to him, before commenting on VIP pass water after seeing that security had started to hand out free cups of water to the front rows anyway. Nigel said that the venue was great and goaded fans into booing by referencing Karl having a Paisley related top, but given that I'd torn up my plan to visit Paisley due to the failure to reopen the museum in a timely manner, I didn't particularly want to think about it. After Renfield's Afoot was I'm Getting Buried In The Morning with purple lights and it's a real belter, and Bob Wilson: Anchorman featured blue flashing lights. One highlight was Venus In Flares, played with dramatic guitar flourishes amid cool green lights. Nigel made his joke about going to a Malaysian restaurant on St Vincent Street earlier for a pelican curry, which was very nice but the bill was massive. He also kept spotting minor celebs in the crowd, identifying two together in a homage to the Coldplay kiss cam scandal, before clarifying that they are here in a professional capacity to save these imaginary attendees from any embarrassment. Record Store Day reverted to blue lights and I shot a long video to ensure that I captured the I Do Like To Re-Release My B-Sides bit, before cutting it out promptly after that so I didn't get stuck into the overlong outro. Otherwise it's a brilliant tune and instant classic.

After a short moment (I think) called That's A Moray, Half Man Half Biscuit wrong footed me by launching into Vatican Broadside, which was great to hear after being excluded from my last two shows and losing its ever-present status. I shot a video of the second half as I wasn't quite ready for it. National Shite Day I recall Nigel pointing to a random victim in the crowd as someone who didn't come out of Boots with due care and attention, but weirdly I didn't record this, although I did do my first zoomed out video for The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train), demonstrating that I was a little further back than usual to take advantage of the great views from all around the venue. Running Order Squabble Fest was played unusually late in the evening and featured purple lights, and of course I had to record up until the Crispy Ambulance chant. Apparently it was the live debut of new album closer Possible Side Effects but it passed me by a little, just like I know that Nigel removed his glasses at some point but I'm not quite sure when. All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit was followed by We Built This Village On A Trad. Arr. Tune, by which time the swirls were back on the backdrop, which surprised me as I'd suspected that the band had asked for them to stop, but apparently not. I got a great recording of the intro up until the end of the first chorus though. Nigel shared his idea for Dragons Den but dedicated to the worst ideas, suggesting a Steve McClaren talking birthday card featuring his terrible Dutch accent. I think that there was a real life joke there, but the surrealism of the concept was enough to make it very amusing regardless.

Also someone threw a t-shirt onstage featuring a Venn diagram logo, but Nigel decided to throw it back as he was worried that the fan would catch his death outside if he didn't. Surging Out Of Convalescence was followed by Look Dad No Tunes, which featured purple swirls as it built up, but an annoying guy was holding a beer in the air and blocking my video a bit, as I also tried to keep away from the freakishly tall guy to my left. McCalliog And His Hens had been such a wonderful surprise last time and so it was again, and by the time Every Time A Bell Rings came along the lights seemed to have settled down into mostly blue with a bit of purple. I shot a long video of The Trumpton Riots from near the intro of the build up until the first chorus, and by now some moshing up front was clearly visible. This was promptly followed by Everything's A.O.R., and although HMHB have so many tunes that they could play, I can now quite reliably predict which mainstays are a dead cert or thereabouts. The band left the stage before returning with Jack's Been To The National, after which I recorded the start of the next song before giving up, later realising as they hit the chorus that it was a cover version of You Trip Me Up by Glasgow legends The Jesus And Mary Chain. It was a good and fitting choice, and the show then finished in the only possible manner with the ever amazing Joy Division Oven Gloves, as Nigel stretched out his arms for the oohs as usual. As it was clear that the show was over I slipped out an exit near the front and avoided the crowds, stopping at a local supermarket for a Coke and packet of obscure Haribos that I couldn't resist, also figuring that if there was a minimum card payment there that I'd then be above it. I caught the train back from Glasgow Central and used the ten minute wait to write up some more notes, doing a better job than I did for my next show The Beta Band but still feeling that I've most likely forgotten some fascinating titbits. This was a great start to my holiday and I will have to say more about that on my next review.
Setlist
She's In Broadstairs
Fuckin' 'Ell It's Fred Titmus
Horror Clowns Are Dickheads
Renfield's Afoot
I'm Getting Buried In The Morning
Rawlplugs Of Yesteryear
Bob Wilson: Anchorman
Terminus
Venus In Flares
Record Store Day
That's A Moray
Vatican Broadside
National Shite Day
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train)
Running Order Squabble Fest
Possible Side Effects
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
We Built This Village On A Trad. Arr. Tune
Surging Out Of Convalescence
Look Dad No Tunes
McCalliog And His Hens
Oblong Of Dreams
Every Time A Bell Rings
The Trumpton Riots
Everything's A.O.R.
Jack's Been To The National
You Trip Me Up
Joy Division Oven Gloves

Mark: 8.5/10