Originally Published on July 8th, 2025
About the Artist
Yet another great indie up-and-comer out of the UK! I’m telling you, if you are in the UK, there are NO excuses! There is great independent music around every corner. You’ve got indie bands popping up like Starbucks over there! Out of Glasgow, Scotland, Flair are a talented group of musicians that will leave you no choice but to give them your attention!
Flair formed in 2023, releasing their debut single Come and Get it. Blending contemporary ambience with heavy reverb guitars, silky bass guitar arrangements, with more vintage sounding vocal performances that garner comparisons anywhere from 70’s punk rock to 00’s indie rock, they instantly brought a sound that had the potential to cater to any audience.
2024 proved to be a year that would test Flair’s drive; a test they would pass. In February, they released their second single, Ritual, a slower groove that, with its haunting reverb and nostalgic vocals, gave another look at the potential they offered with their dynamic performance. Then, in December, they released their debut Self-Titled EP.
A little more than a year after their debut release, Flair showed significant growth and intent. Leading off, Run Away is a well orchestrated, slow to mid tempo performance that builds to anthemic choruses, layered guitars and vocals, dynamic percussive transitions, and altogether impressive material. The production value is also notably more refined, as the recordings sound more open and brighter.
Flair experienced a bit of a breakout year in 2024, a year that would not only feature the release of their debut EP, but would have them headline sold-out shows throughout Glasgow and the rest of the UK, and they received recognition from The Scotsman, being featured as one of their “Under the Radar” artists of the month.
In 2025, Flair continues to build on the momentum from the previous year by building on the appeal of their live performance. Now, being backed by the indie label Revo Pro Records and producer Mark Morrow, they are building a fan base that extends beyond Scotland to Ireland and the rest of the UK. In February, they released their debut music video for their song Saccharine, which has already surpassed 100,000 views in just 4 months.
As the year progresses, so does Flair. They are rolling the dice, taking the risks, and it seems to be paying off.
About the Song
City Lights is the first release of 2025 for Glasgow recording artist, Flair. It is a mid to up-tempo, alt rock anthem that feature the strengths that have brought Flair to prominence over the last year. Open, airy guitars, disciplined and dynamic percussion, and a vintage vocal performance that turns just as many heads in 2025 as they would in 2005. It runs at just over 5 minutes and released on Friday, July 4th, through Revo Pro Records.
About the Music
City Lights is a significant release from Flair because it almost features a different and brighter personality from them. It is reminds me of peak Kings of Leon or fellow UK indie rock band, Fiction Plane.
City Lights isn’t a song that showcases a different direction for Flair. Instead, it’s an enhancement from the direction they’ve been heading. Just as Flair showed significant improvement in composition and production, City Lights reflects a continuous commitment to really refining their music. If anything, they’re the same band that released Come and Get It, they’re just more locked in.
The entire song is radio-ready. I love how tight the percussion is. I love how the bass is locked in with the melodic and percussive performances. The guitars have really found their niche, with big, ambient parts that open the entire sound space for the song.
The vocal performance is a high-quality, star in the making performance. I can’t necessarily say that Flair sound unique but they’re doing it better than the acts that are making similar styles of music today.
Final Thoughts
In just two years, Flair have built a foundation that consists of all the components a band should have to breakthrough into mainstream music. They’ve got consistency, they’re improving with every release, they have a reputation for being a great live act, and their production value gets better and better.
Flair have a clear vision for what they want the sound of their music to be. I think there are two ways a band can maintain relevance as performers; they can either change or they can grow. A changing band is a band that aims to put out different music from previous releases, or to be “experimental.” A growing band can incorporate experimental ideas, but they have a generalized idea of what they want their sound to be and they have a loyalty to that sound. They do not, however, just regurgitate a formula and expect their audience to be fooled (some bands do that and it doesn’t work out well for them). Flair is a growing band for sure. With each release comes something more refined, something more imaginative, and it all operates within the parameters of who they are musically.
It’s one thing to release great music and content. There are bands who make production their identity. In 2025, it is conceivable for band members to reside in different states, or even countries. However, if a band has a presence in live performance that is capable of captivating an audience, it is more likely they will build a fan base. I know that, in the digital age, we do not like to raise our eyes above our screens. That does not mean that there are not amazing things this world has to offer. One thing at the very top of that list is live music. Live music hits differently. My wife and I were recently introduced to the solo artist, Medium Build, when we went to a concert a couple of months ago. We were blown away by his live performance. It was just he and his guitar and he HAD THE AUDIENCE. After the show, we got into our car and listened to his music. As good as it is, it just did not have the same energy. It makes me wonder if I would continue to listen to his music had I not seen him live first. It also makes me wonder if I have ever glanced over an artist because their performance was simply good and not too memorable, yet had I seen them perform live, I would have built that rapport with their music.
Flair have the reputation of being incredible performers which bodes very well for them. Being all the way in Nashville, Tennessee, I unfortunately do not have the ability to see this for myself, but people are talking about them. They are selling out headlining shows in Glasgow, Scotland, Ireland, and throughout the UK. That is saying something.
Finally, Flair reached a point in their music where they knew they wanted to grow. I think they’ve made wonderful choices in who to work with to enhance who they are and what they sound like. The production value of their EP and for this new single, City Lights, is a testament to that. Furthermore, it can be seen in their debut music video as well. It is so much easier to succeed in music if we listen to each other and we listen to our team. Flair present themselves in a way that indicates they are transparent with each other and with their producers. A clear vision, accepting feedback, and hard work have made them a radio-ready, exciting new act that is poised to break out at any moment.
Follow Flair:
Additional Media:
Listen to City Lights:
Check out the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Blind Reaction for Saccharine!
Fifteen Minutes of Fame Music Entertainment 
Leave a comment