Brooke Combe – A dreamy Barrowland Homecoming (gig review)

On a cold dark Monday Evening at the Barrowland Ballroom, Brooke Combe shone, as an opener for Jalen Ngonda. It felt like a dreamy homecoming as she performed the last few songs wrapped in the saltire flag, and when she asked the audience ‘has anyone here not heard of me’, it was the only moment the crowd were quiet. 

I arrived past Sam’s Bar to find a space at the back of the crowd just as she opened. It was an acoustic set up with Danny Murphy on Guitar, which felt vulnerable – a slower energy than recorded versions, and more time to feel what was being sung. Seeing the artists’ hearts up-close-and-personal felt intimate in such a packed venue. All ears on the dreamy harmonies, no need for distractions. 

Combe is known for her soulful influences, dreamy voice, and bold personality on and off-stage. Queuing for the toilets I was behind someone proudly discussing how they’d taught her, and someone else who wanted merch for his daughter to show she could be a singer too. This really did start to feel like a community connected by the artists they’re there to see, and every song had people holding hands and moving together.

A Barbra Lynn cover led into a taste of Combe’s upcoming second album, inspired by her love of soul and sounds of the sixties. The set also ended with sincere thanks for all of the support from her Scottish fans, and an invite to join in with ‘Baby, how can I tell you how to love me more if you don’t try?’.

I got to chat to Brooke at the merch table afterwards and tell her how beautiful it was to hear her, and to see such a mixed audience connecting over soul. I’m sure she was too shattered for my verbal essay but she was sweet and thanked me before someone asked her for an autograph and I snuck off.

Personally, I cannot wait to see Brooke’s headline solo show at the Barrowland Ballroom on 11th March 2027, but good luck trying to get tickets for it.

Main photo credit: Sam Crowston