Stephen Wilson Jr. (Gary The Torch Tour)

Stephen Wilson Jr. plays the O2 Academy Glasgow on Monday 19 October, as part of his Gary The Torch Tour. He's playing two nights in a row, with a second show on Tuesday 20 October, so you've got a couple of chances to catch him if one date doesn't work.

If you're not familiar with the name, it's worth knowing where he's coming from. Born in Seymour, Indiana, and now based in Nashville, Wilson lived a few different lives before music took over. He was an Indiana State Golden Gloves boxing finalist and worked as a scientist, a 9-to-5 lab job he left in 2016 to sign a publishing deal with BMG Nashville. For years after that, he worked behind the scenes writing for artists like Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash.

2023 was the year he stepped out from the writing room. He signed with Big Loud Records and released his debut double album, søn of dad—a 22-song set dedicated to his late father. Holler named it the No. 1 album of 2023, and it picked up praise from Rolling Stone, Whiskey Riff and Wide Open Country. Since then, he's made his network television debut on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2024, followed by appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Later... with Jools Holland. He's also a regular on Planet Rock's Stateside show with Loz Guest.

Both nights are at the O2 Academy Glasgow on Eglinton Street, with doors opening at 19:00. If you're heading in, it's the Gary The Torch Tour he's taking across the UK.