Calum Bowie (Manchester Deaf Institute)

There’s something special about seeing an artist go above and beyond to make a show happen, and Calum Bowie did just that. His ferries were cancelled coming from Dublin, and for a while, it looked like the Manchester gig wasn’t going ahead. But instead of calling it off, Calum went and bought a last-minute (and very expensive) flight, traveled alone without his band or team, and rented a guitar in Manchester—all to make sure the show went on. That alone deserves the highest praise. The stage was set for an intimate, one-off acoustic Calum Bowie solo show.

I’ve been a fan of Calum for years now. Back in lockdown, when I was attempting to pursue music myself, I came across his videos of him playing out of his window in Scotland. He even reached out to me in 2021, offering to help boost my following—a gesture I still appreciate, even though my own music never fully took off. But, as fate would have it, my love for music has still brought me here, writing about the artists I admire instead.

This was a very last-minute gig for me—I had just landed back from Spain and was feeling awful. Normally, I’d make a day of it with some food and a couple of drinks beforehand, but instead, I made the rare sensible decision of driving there and back. I’ve done a few gigs solo now, and honestly? I love it. Just pure focus on the music—no need for the usual post-song nods of approval or waiting around while a mate goes to the loo.

Parking was great (always a bonus), and I was excited to be back at The Deaf Institute—a venue I’ve only been to once before for NBHD Festival but loved back then. The upstairs space is perfect—great views from anywhere, a bar right next to the stage, and even some raised seating at the back for a bit of comfort. Plus, the sound is fantastic.

I unfortunately missed the support act but arrived just in time to get a good spot for Calum. And what a performance it was. Walking out alone with just his guitar, he completely owned the stage. The crowd sang every lyric back to him, and you could tell he was genuinely taken aback by the love in the room. I was actually surprised by how many of his songs I knew, which only made the experience more special.

One thing that stood out was his personality. With no band backing him up, his charisma really shone through, and he had brilliant, funny, and wholesome interactions with the crowd. Whether it was accepting a giant cookie from a fan or leading the room in a happy birthday singalong, he made sure everyone felt part of the night.

Then came one of those proper special gig moments—Calum stepping into the crowd, surrounded by his fans, singing a song about his dream of making it as an artist. A Scottish lad, miles from home, in a packed Manchester room, living that dream. It was a genuinely beautiful moment. And if that wasn’t enough, he later brought up his support act, Odhran Murphy, for an acoustic duet of Don’t Look Back In Anger—a perfect nod to all the Mancunians in the room.

This gig felt rare—a stripped-back, raw showcase of Calum’s talent. His voice, his songwriting, and his stage presence prove he has a huge future ahead of him. And if his dedication to making this show happen says anything, it’s that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that dream a reality.

Go listen to his new song, which dropped last Friday—you will not be disappointed. And if you ever get the chance to see Calum Bowie live, do not miss it.