‘A Night to Remember’: Girl In Red at Barrowland Ballroom

Date: 29th August 2024

Location: Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow, Scotland

In a world where live music can be perceived as fleeting moments and fleeting emotions, there can be instances when a concert exceeds the ordinary, becoming something unforgettable. girl in red’s headline gig at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom on the 29th of August was one of those nights — an electrifying experience that left a long-lasting impression. From the moment the lights dimmed, you knew it wasn’t just another show, but A Night to Remember forevermore.

girl in red, whose real name is Marie Ulven Ringheim, first shot to fame with her debut single “i wanna be your girlfriend” back in 2018. She offered something different: a signature sound, raw emotion, and necessary LGBTQ+ representation within her lyricism. She has since released two chart-topping albums and supported many artists on tour, including Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023, in addition to completing three of her own headline tours, including her latest: “DOING IT AGAIN!”

This has been her comeback tour, after becoming TikTok viral during the pandemic and navigating her mental health. It’s safe to say that I don’t think I have ever been to a concert as wild as girl in red’s before. It felt more like an experience than your average concert and a captivating one at that, full of energy, intensity, and passion. I’m almost ashamed to admit that this was my first time attending a show at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom. It truly is a euphoric venue, spacious and well-equipped with two bars to get you psyched up for the show. The ballroom’s ceiling is also covered in stars, adding to the dazzling ambience of the night.

Nieve Ella, the support act for the European segment of this tour, came on stage at 8pm, an hour after doors opened. With her four-piece band, the crowd were mesmerised, recording her performance on their phones, so they could watch repeatedly after the concert had ended. She played half a dozen songs, including “Girlfriend”, “The Things We Say” and even an unreleased song, “Ganni Top”, which is due for release soon, on the 19th September. Nieve has had a brilliant 2024 so far, and it’s only just beginning, as she’s releasing an 8-track EP later this year too.

Fans then packed in closely to the stage, preparing their view for the main event. As the lights went down, fans were treated to cuts of dramatic orchestral music, which gradually became louder, faster, and increasingly chaotic, to which girl in red then took to the stage, beginning with the titular song of her latest album and tour, “DOING IT AGAIN BABY”.

Something I didn’t expect was just how energetic she is as a performer; she moves around the stage like an athlete, full of infectious animation and psyche, and being a photographer in the pit meant we had to keep running after her! The dramatic rush of energy that the Norwegian artist provided by jumping around the stage, only increased the audience’s euphoria, adding to the overall multi-sensory experience. There was even a screen behind her displaying eye-catching graphics, perfectly synced to each song; how often do you see this in a small venue like the Barras?!

Despite the advanced visuals, girl in red explained that this show would be “rock and roll” because the venue happened to be too small to fit the entire set in! She wore a black shirt and trousers, with her band offering a similar cohesive look, with the exception of the vocalist sporting a red tartan tie for Scotland. Those who have followed girl in red’s journey for a long time know that a tie is a signature fashion accessory for her, and I saw lots of fans in the crowd wearing them too which was sweet to see.

We’re told she spent €550 on tartan clothing in Scotland, and she explained how she loves this country because we’ve got “great fabrics.” I may be biased, as a Scot myself, but I definitely can’t argue with her there! Wearing tartan for Scottish shows is something I’ve seen other artists do as well, like Maisie Peters, who wore a tartan skirt at her Scottish show last year. It’s a heartwarming gesture, and it proves that artists, like girl in red and Maisie, conduct research about where they’re going on tour and care deeply about their fans by paying attention to small details like this.

Fans began to jump in unison when the artist’s hit track “girls” began to play, a song about her exploring her sexuality and feelings for girls: “They’re so pretty, it hurts! / I’m not talkin’ ‘bout boys, I’m talkin’ ‘bout girls.” Fans held up rainbow flags, a supportive gesture which reflected the safety and inclusivity within the crowd. One eager fan even held up their Nintendo DS to film parts of the show, a great way to record moments without the distraction of phone notifications. Now I know what I’m taking with me to my next gig!

In an often oversaturated, over-obsessed online world, girl in red provides true authenticity and relatability. Her candid approach to songwriting is one of the reasons fans love her, and she openly talked about her personal life this night, such as how she started new medication recently and also how she met a random guy called Zach in a pub. He became the inside joke of the night, as she said that she told him she was a journalist, rather than the beloved international artist she is.

After singing “I’m Back”, the first song on her newest album, which is about growing up and navigating her mental health, she joked, “I could’ve done something there and gone… ‘I’m ZACH’”, to which fans burst into laughter.

The night continued blissfully with catchy songs, some with seamless transitions, and, in her own words, “theatrical” piano playing. She had many fan interactions, including discussing what fame is really like for her, and that she finds it crazy how people say they “grew up” listening to her songs, though she still feels very young at 25!

A song the crowd definitely did not expect to hear was “dead girl in the pool.”, a single from 2019, which was met with huge cheering and applause, as listeners appeared to be in shock after hearing one of their favourite songs performed live in front of them. The set eventually ended by going back to the beginning, with her 2018 debut “i wanna be your girlfriend”, to which the crowd erupted in a mass of jumping and dancing as they chanted each and every lyric. Nearer the end of the track, girl in red organised a mosh pit where she asked fans to step back before she got in the middle for everyone to start jumping around her.

For this reason and, in general, the crowd’s electric spirit across the entire night, it was, without a doubt, the most lively gig I’ve ever attended! I walked out of that show with an entirely new perspective on things. girl in red has beautifully normalised being ‘normal’, in the sense that she’s reminded us that it’s normal to struggle with self-esteem issues or suffer from mental health issues, in the same way it’s human for it to take time to work out who you are.

The stage design at the Barras, and the close proximity to different bars, made me feel like I was at a festival, and Girl in Red managed to create the most supportive atmosphere, where fans who had only met each other 20 minutes prior to the show were dancing together to her songs joyfully. With flashing lights and fog machines, the production felt spectacular and, even though it was likely designed with a larger venue in mind, the audiovisual experience translated in the smaller venue as uniquely exclusive yet completely natural.

I would highly recommend anyone – superfan or casual listener – to attend one of girl in red’s shows, soak up the accepting atmosphere, and take the multifaceted experience in.

Nieve Ella