Reliever’s Triumphant Finish: A Night of Rising Talent at ‘Upstairs’ Inverness
Words and pictures by Alan Cruickshank
Delighted to catch Reliever as they concluded their March tour at “Upstairs” Inverness. The night showcased a mix of emerging talent, but the performances varied significantly in execution and impact.
First up was The Suits, a Glasgow-based female fronted four-piece formed in 2023. Despite their relatively short career, they’ve already made a name for themselves in local venues like Nice n Sleazy in Glasgow – a venue known to be a proving ground. Their stage presence last night was immediate, and they kept the crowd nicely engaged throughout their seven-song set. Standout tracks included “Rodeo,” which had a rock feel that resonated well with the audience, as well as “All We Need” and “Sixteen.” Impressively, there wasn’t a single weak song in their repertoire, a rare feat for a young band.
However, the set was tinged with bittersweet news. Due to upcoming university commitments, The Suits may have to disband, disappointing given their clear potential. If they do part ways, I really hope they each continue to pursue music, as their individual talents were evident throughout the performance.
Next on the bill was Ace & All The Other Animals, a six-piece from Edinburgh that, on this occasion, performed without a drummer. The absence of their drummer certainly hindered their set. Without that backbone their sound felt noticeably thin thus making it difficult for the band to play their set as intended. It’s commendable that they persevered and performed despite the setback, and the audience was supportive. Reviewing them under these conditions wouldn’t be entirely fair, as it’s clear that their full line-up could offer a more polished performance. That said I hope to catch them again with a complete band.
Finally, the headliner: Reliever. Having first encountered them supporting “Forgetting The Future” last year, I’ve kept an ear on their progress, and tonight’s performance proved just how far they’ve come.
The last outing I saw them in October 2024, supporting Iain McLaughlin and The Outsiders, already showed notable improvement, but tonight’s set was on another level entirely. The most striking change was in their vocal delivery and stagecraft—both of which have developed significantly. The band has clearly put in the hours, refining their sound and presence through practice and live performances at various venues, and the payoff was undeniable.
Reliever now shows more confidence in their music, delivering their set with an ease that was previously a little lacking. Their newer songs added another layer of depth to their performance, showing their ongoing growth as songwriters and performers. It’s always brilliant to see young musicians committed to honing their craft, and Reliever is a prime example of a band that is truly putting in the work. If they continue on this trajectory, 2025 could be a brilliant year for them.
A fantastic night overall, and an excellent showcase of genuine talent.
As a footnote I would like to say it was great to see young bands from the central belt make the effort to come to Inverness, we should make a point of making Inverness a welcoming place for them to play, there is great young talent to be heard, let’s make them welcome.
