err april …that was class
The release of The Last Light on 17 April fell on the same day Valtos played the first show of the Valtos Presents: High Water Mark run.
What followed was four nights of absolute joy.
17 April - Cairngorm Mountain
Valtos Presents: High Water Mark
Release day. The Highlands. The new songs out in the open for the first time, in front of a room that knew exactly what to do. This gig was a while in the planning as it is the highest place to play a gig in Scotland, probably even in the UK. It was a plan that myself and the wonderful Eilidh (from Cairngorm Mountain Resort) hatched back in 2025. The view was unreal and constantly changing; there is a small chance I took more pictures of the hills than the band…
18 April - Knoydart
Valtos Presents: High Water Mark
You don't just turn up to Knoydart. You have to get there (and I didn’t make this show - namely because there isn’t enough accommodation!). I was definitely not sitting up late at night watching someone livestream it from the hall though.
24 April - Òran Mór, Glasgow
Valtos Presents: High Water Mark
Òran Mór sold out super quick as so many people didn’t manage to get tickets for the Barrowland show, and this show was full 360 (crowd surrounding the decks). The Auditorium is hard to beat as a venue - that vaulted ceiling 🤯 and the room felt like it was leaning in for the whole set, it was very hot and sweaty, but the dancers were so up for it.
Credit: Arabella Rennie (https://www.instagram.com/arabellarennie/)
25 April - Barrowland Ballroom
Full band - sold out
The big one. The night after Òran Mór, a late night and an early morning. Full band on stage, and a sold-out Glasgow crowd.
A sold-out Barrowland is a milestone in any band's life, and watching Valtos take it was something else. I didn’t get to promote my own Barrowland show when I was promoting at DF Concerts back in the day, so this one felt full circle, but coming back as promoter, manager and agent. The team we had working that show, I want them to be on every show - actually I want them on every day of my life. The choir, the guests, the band - absolute dream team. Also having Beluga Lagoon and Valtos on the same stage that night was a dream, we take such great pride in our roster and the acts we choose to be on there, so when they collaborate (in this case on single ‘The Ghost’) it’s feels like a big family.
Credit: Rachel Cuthbert (https://www.instagram.com/rachel__roams/)
Beluga Lagoon jumps on for one
Credit: Arabella Rennie (https://www.instagram.com/arabellarennie/)
Huge thanks to the band and the wider team who made the run happen, on stage and off, in every venue from a mountain top to a sold-out ballroom. And to everyone who came out, travelled, sang songs, and made the rooms what they were - thank you. Genuinely.
Credit: Arabella Rennie (https://www.instagram.com/arabellarennie/)
What's next
Valtos are back at the O2 Academy Glasgow on 18 December. Tickets are on sale and moving.
Jen
Credit: Arabella Rennie (https://www.instagram.com/arabellarennie/)