Back in 2018, The 502s played their first international gig in Glasgow; a fan-organised event that took place in a random church to an audience of 30 people. On the 25th of November, 2024, they returned to Glasgow once again, this time to SWG3’s TV Studio and an audience of one thousand people. Ed Isola, the band’s lead vocalist, reminisced fondly of their first visit to the city, before the band launched into a particular favourite of the local crowd: ‘Backstage in Glasgow’.
Throughout the show, Ed was running over to the different members of the band, whispering in their ears. Halfway through the concert, he revealed to the audience that the group decides what they’re going to play as the night progresses. “No setlist. Just vibes.” This spontaneity guarantees a truly unique experience to concertgoers in different cities, adding to the magic of the show.
An overall concert highlight was the fact that each member of the band had their chance to shine. In larger bands especially, it is commonplace for some members to remain mostly in the background. The 502s are the antithesis; different songs showcased the skills of different members. ‘Lucky Lover’ gave the band’s guitarist, Graci Phillips, a chance to really show off her vocals, while Joe Capati’s saxophone solos brought dramatic flair throughout the night. Pianist Matthew Tonner picked up a guitar and took centre stage during ‘Something’s Gonna Go Our Way’, while Nick Melashenko’s passionate bass solo had the crowd headbanging. They routinely changed their positioning around the stage, giving a fluid and dynamic performance.
Whilst he was a little more tied down than the rest of the band, drummer Sean Froehlich also had his moment in the spotlight. The other members of the band crouched or laid on the ground as he performed his drum solo. He split the room in two, conducting the audience like an orchestra as he instructed them to cheer quieter and louder with the raise of his hand. He created a call and response where the audience whooped back the beat he played on the drum. By this point it was crystal clear: The 502s were putting on an enjoyable show, not just for fans, but for anyone who wanted to have a playful, fun night.
During ‘Something’s Gonna Go Our Way’, the band took a break from the music as Graci took to the front of the stage. She told the crowd that tonight was to be a carefree, joyous celebration and she wanted everyone to let go of anything negative weighing them down. She encouraged people to think of all their pent-up frustrations and annoyances, and to visualise them as a “rage ball”. The whole audience held their balls of rage above their heads, and those who didn’t participate were called out on it! “I can see you in the back,” Graci teased before she began the countdown. “At zero, I want you to scream as loud as you can,” she instructed, and judging by the deafening guttural scream that filled the room, the crowd obeyed her command. Before the screaming even stopped, the band launched back into their song, repeating the titular line: “Something’s gonna go our way.” The 502s made their concert into more than just a showcase of great music; they created beautiful, shared experience.
The encore encapsulated this spirit with ‘Feels Good To Be Me’ and ‘Stories To Tell’, both reminiscent of a campfire singalong. The latter proved the perfect finale. With all band members taking turns to sing, their lyrics highlighted The 502s’ commitment to showcasing each voice: “Drummers don’t really get to sing in the band / But tonight’s your lucky night / ‘Cause here I am.”
From that first church show to commanding SWG3’s TV Studio, The 502s have proven they’re no longer just playing ‘Backstage in Glasgow’— they’re creating magical moments centre stage, one spontaneous song at a time.
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