By Kyle Horne
On the morning of the 15th of January, fans began gathering outside SWG3, one of Scotland’s most vibrant venues, eagerly awaiting what promised to be an unforgettable night. The reason? Joshua Bassett was set to perform a sold-out headline show.
Yes—the very same Joshua Bassett from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and the rising star who just last year released his debut album, The Golden Years.
As soon as you stepped foot into the venue, the energy was raw. A shared excitement filled the air, and it was clear that the crowd wasn’t just a group of strangers, but a community brought together by their love for Bassett.
Whether friendships had been formed online or from queuing outside, one thing was clear—a deep connection united the fans, making the night feel even more special.
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Unfortunately this night, Joshua Bassett’s right hand man, and support act, Thomas Day, was under the weather, and was unable to perform – however this meant the audience we were treated to local talent, Scottish singer-songwriter, Matthew Hall, who captivated the crowd with his original songs, and a unique rendition of Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, a moment that brought the audience together, and lifted spirits just in time for the Joshua Bassett to take the stage.
As soon as the lights faded to black, Bassett dashed onto the stage, to his album’s title track, The Golden Years, instantly igniting the atmosphere. From the very first note, his presence was electric, his passion undeniable, and the audience was completely enthralled. It’s safe to say that I’ve never seen an act with as much energy as Joshua Bassett.
To put his own Scottish twist on the night, he invited two fans up to dance to Circles, where they taught him a bit of Scottish country dancing. As a fellow Scot, I have to say—it looked like he’d been practising!
Heel, toe, heel toe…
He then introduced Lifeline with some food for thought, to “not wait til it’s too late”; until a life threatening distortion gets in the way. He explained how this perspective came after he was hospitalised for heart failure, and was unsure what his future would hold.
During this song, Bassett sang to his fans up close and personal, creating a truly intimate moment.
It’s rare to see such openness from someone with the magnitude of Joshua Bassett, and he really seems to be using his platform and influence for the better. It’s truly inspiring how he appears so positive and beams with joy despite hardship.
The rest of the set was a perfect balance of high-energy dance tracks and stripped-back moments. Before each slower song, he shared a personal backstory, giving insight into what the song meant to him. As a reviewer, I found this particularly interesting, and thought that it added depth to the performance and made the experience overall feel more personal.
A unique perspective of a concert reviewer is that sometimes you cover an artist you are only a casual listener of—or perhaps you haven’t listened to at all. Most times, you step into what feels like a fan club.
What makes a concert truly special isn’t just the artist—it’s also the fans. Their energy, passion, and willingness to welcome newcomers make all the difference. I can confidently say that this gig was one of the most welcoming I’ve attended. Whether you were a diehard fan or had only seen Joshua on HSMTMTS, you were embraced as part of the group.
The night ended with Set Me Free, where Bassett spoke about his journey of self-discovery through Christianity, a moment met with cheers and applause from the crowd. Of course the inevitable ‘one more song!’ chant began, so Bassett returned for an encore, performing SHE SAID HE SAID SHE SAID and Look How Far You’ve Come.
I can only imagine how emotional this moment was for both his longtime fans and for himself, standing in front of a sold-out room, hearing the lyrics sung back to him.
An unforgettable night indeed.
Photography © Kyle Horne 2025 for ADRENALINE Magazine
Chloe Morris 
Alfie Dook