The Backline Newsletter - Issue 29

Issue 29

Author

Allan Watson
December 04, 2025

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 29 - Thursday, 4th December 2025

Editorial

As the Scottish gig calendar edges toward its end of year crescendo. Bands are rounding off their strongest runs, venues are packed with end-of-term energy, and 2026 already feels like it’s sharpening its teeth.

This week’s featured artists, Static Sky, are a perfect example of a young band figuring out what they want to be in real time, pushing beyond their indie roots, aiming for something weightier, more lasting, and unapologetically theirs. Their answers are honest, sometimes blunt, and give a refreshing snapshot of what it actually feels like to build a band from scratch in Scotland right now.

We’ve also got a gear pick that dives into the cinematic, Walrus Audio’s Lore, plus a standout Gig of the Week guaranteed to shake loose the December frost.

Let’s get into it.

Artist Q&A – Static Sky

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
Band has 5 members made up of the brothers Agnew our rhythm section, Ross on Guitar and backing vocals, Cameron on guitar and our vocalist and frontman Marc.

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
Raucous energetic riffs melancholic lyrics.

3. What was your first gig as a band?
Our first gig was at Venue38 in Ayr last June.

4. Biggest show so far and how did it feel?
Our biggest show so far was probably playing at pavilion festival we drew a massive crowd and to play alongside the likes of James Starsailor Vistas was absolutely crazy for us 

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
Venue38 will forever be our home. It’s where we got our start and where we feel at home with it being in the bands hometown. It’s an amazing venue with some of the best sound we’ve ever had.

6. If someone’s never heard of you what song should they start with?
14 is more the sound we are leaning towards now as we come to the end of the year, next year we plan on bringing the sound we have from the live gigs and really showcasing our musical ability more and moving away from our catchy indie anthems for something more deep and meaningful. Something long lasting that could catapult us into the stratosphere of the music industry we want to be in. But Human Touch was the first and most noteable song to date.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
I think we are massively inspired in terms of sound and Marc is in terms of lyricism by Fontaines DC and Grian Chatten and that would be amazing gig to have under the belt, as well as Radiohead. We’d be silly if we never mentioned Oasis though who doesn’t want to open for oasis. Without Oasis none of the bands doing what we do or the bands we love would be here of the last twenty years. They’re exactly who they think they are and without them none of this happens.

8. Are we in a golden age or a dead zone for new music?
Marc - I think there’s a cool new sound and wave of music out there and it’s all been sparked from the likes of Sam Fender Fontaines and Wunderhorse with so many bands taking different approaches I feel like it’s a good time for guitar music and it’s slowly coming back Sam Fender being at the forefront of it all I’d say.
Euan - A golden age although the music scene can feel saturated due to the high amount of bands on social media etc.

9. What’s something fans don’t understand about being in a band?
Marc - It’s a lot of work behind the scenes, from the booking of gigs and rehearsals to getting the set polished and sounding great before any gig. It takes a lot of time and effort but it’s absolutely all worth while when you’re on that stage with your boys playing tunes you wrote in your bedroom, a bizarre concept to say the least.
Euan - The behind the scenes work that goes into it. Songwriting, practicing, booking gigs, funding recording new song and the recording process as a whole.

10. What songs are your guilty pleasures?
Marc - I think these would be classed as guilty pleasures but I don’t feel guilty about it one bit I’m very open and honest about it but I love girly pop, it will never be beaten unfortunately. If I had to pick a 5 songs to highlight my guilty pleasures I’d say:
Oscar Winning Tears -Ray
Better than revenge - Taylor Swift
Kiss you - One Direction
Out of love - Anastasia
Von Dutch - Charli XCX

Euan - Katy Perry - Hot n Cold
Ross - WAP (Biffy version)
Callum - One Less Lonely Girl - Justin Bieber
Cameron - Man I Need - Olivia Dean

Catch Static Sky Live:
Metro, Saltcoats, Saturday 6th December 2025 – SOLD OUT
King Tut’s, Glasgow, Friday 30th January 2026 – Tickets

Essential Gear – Walrus Audio Lore: Reverse Soundscape Generator

Short Description
A dual-engine ambience machine designed to create reverse textures, swelling atmospheres, and dreamlike cinematic beds unlike anything else on a pedalboard.

Why We Love It
Lore doesn’t just add ambience, it reshapes the space around your playing. With two interacting algorithms, it pushes you into creative territory you wouldn’t normally wander into. Every phrase becomes a soundscape.

What It Does

Combines reverse delays, granular textures, and atmospheric reverbs. Uses two parallel engines to blend movement and depth. Creates swelling pads, ghostly trails, and soundtrack-ready ambience. Encourages experimentation through interactive controls and mode combinations

Best For
Players looking to escape the ordinary: ambient guitarists, post-rock creators, soundtrack composers, and anyone who loves pedals that spark ideas rather than simply decorate them.

Bonus Tip
Place Lore first in your reverb/delay chain and roll back your tone control, it creates a haunting, lo-fi tape-like bloom that sits beautifully under clean chords or volume swells.

Gig of the Week

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Thursday, 11th December 2025, O2 Academy, Glasgow

A rare chance to see one of the great modern rock-and-roll bands in a venue that’ll let their signature wall of sound hit at full force. With thunderous drums, low-slung fuzz bass, and moody atmosphere that only BRMC can conjure. Their Glasgow shows are always intense, always loud, and always worth the tinnitus.

Best of the Rest

Rianne Downey - Saturday, 6th December 2025, Old Fruit Market, Glasgow
One of Scotland’s most exciting rising voices returns with a set that blends soulful delivery, sharp songwriting, and a growing catalogue that feels tailor-made for bigger stages. A home crowd, a stunning venue, and an artist catching fire, a must-see.

The Rolling People - Monday, 8th December 2025, King Tut’s, Glasgow
Manchester indie energy meets sharp modern songwriting. Tight, urgent, and already attracting serious attention, The Rolling People are built for King Tut’s sweaty, loud, and right on the edge of chaos.

Get Involved

Got a story from the rehearsal room, a feature you would like to see, a gig pick, or a gear review you want to share, or just want to plug some great Scottish music, suggest a band or get featured? Have you attended our gig pick - write a review we may feature it a future issue.

Hit us up at [email protected]

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