1000/10
by ava on 06/03/2025Rating: 5 out of 5great singer, always interacts with the crowd. let's sell out the hydro come on!!
Venue
Scottish singer-songwriter who has swapped the streets for the big stage
Callum Beattie rekindles the blue-collar, working-class pop torch lit by Scottish strummers of yesteryear, yet gives it a contemporary sheen.
Born in Edinburgh but raised in Musselburgh, East Lothian by his single-parent dad who grind away each day to put food on the table for Callum and his two siblings, Beattie was brought up listening to classic albums from the greats like Rod Stewart, Elton John, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, and Bruce Springsteen.
It sparked an ambition in him to become a musician like them, so pestered his dad to buy him a guitar at the age of 14. He did, and Beattie began writing songs. Music became his primary focus after leaving school with no qualifications, so gigged around local pubs and busked on the street, building a word-of-mouth reputation. Taking his hard graft to T In The Park one year, Beattie wore the hi-vis jacket and pretending to be security to sneak in, handing out demos and even crashing the stage during R.E.M.'s headline performance in front of 70,000 people.
But his heart-on-the-sleeve, salt-of-the-earth songwriting connected with his fans, who shared similar life experiences. Releasing his first single 'We Are Stars' in 2017, Beattie relocated to London then Berlin, gaining more and more experiences to put into song. 2019's 'Boris Brexit Song' went viral, with Beattie going on to perform at Glastonbury Festival that year.
In 2020, Beattie's debut album People Like Us broke into the Scottish album charts, with his stories of ordinary people's struggle and strife resonating around the country. 'Salamander Street' – a personal story of a friend that turned to prostitution – reached number six in the Scottish charts and broke Beattie through to the top 50 of the UK download charts too.
'Heart Stops Beating' was the first offering from Beattie's sophomore album Vandals which came out in 2023, topping the Scottish album charts and establishing Callum as one of Scotland's premiere talents - maintaining his status as an independent artist all the while.
Beattie's effortless blend of emotional storytelling and indie folk with a tinge of rock propelled him towards his biggest show yet. In 2025, the singer-songwriter announce an enormous show at Glasgow's OVO Hydro for November that year. After the announcement was made, Beattie admitted on social media: "I'm an emotional wreck - I just have no words."
great singer, always interacts with the crowd. let's sell out the hydro come on!!
I've been to see Callum numerous times now from small intimate gigs in King Tuts to the Barrowlands and Usher Hall and if anyone deserves a headline show at the Hydro it is Callum, his dedication, hard work and good heart means his music resonates to the masses as we have all shared experiences and in the emotion of his heartfelt songs. If anyone reading this hasn't seen Callum live then I'd recommend you go see him as his shows are absolutely amazing ❤️
We have seen Callum Beattie twice in Swansea and we're blown away by his performance. Please come again to Wales soon. What a lovely guy!
Seen him at least 4 times, and at Radisson Red, just gets better and better since following him since the beginning of his journey, ❤️ my daughter and granddaughter are following him also, we just love him and his band and every time is better than the last, do not miss him ❤️💙❤️👍
Never fails to put on a great show. Cares about his fans & this is reflected in his ticket prices. In my opinion more acts should follow suit so its more affordable for family's
Amazing gig yet again, Callum does not disappoint. Well run gig
Amazing gig good time had by all. Amazing signed/entainner
I didn't know much about Callum Beattie. I'd heard a few singles, that's about it. It was a brilliant night. Started with a very good support, Pistol Daisies, and followed by a blistering performance from Beattie. I'll definitely be back.
What a fantastic show at Glasgow Barrowlands, Callum is such a down to earth and talented fella! Looking for dates for 2025! And well done for raising amazing amounts for mental health charities ❤️
First time seeing him live. Will not be the last (unless I have some sort of horrendous life altering event beforehand).