Ash Gutierrez, the 20-year-old musician from North Carolina known as Glaive, was met with a wave of cheers recently from a sold-out 9:30 Club. About a year ago, Glaive sold out The Atlantis, the 450-cap venue next door, and now touring in support of his new album Y’all, he has graduated to much larger venues like the 9:30 Club.
Despite his relatively young age, Glaive owned the stage like it was a second home, frequently roaming from end to end and consistently reaching across the barricade of his catwalk to touch hands and engage with his fans. On Jan. 17, Glaive was polite between songs, thanking his fans and telling them to pursue their goals, because he was 16-17 when he started making music, even saying, “Now some of you guys might call me unc!” He even took a fan’s phone and did a live Pokémon card unwrapping on stage!
The show’s sound mix was excellent, balancing Glaive’s vocals with his intense beats. There was a backing track on most of the songs, but it was apparent that Glaive was definitely putting his full vocal power into each song. The lighting of the night was intense and incredible, beams of light shot through the club while bathing Glaive in colorful hues through the night. Flashing perfectly in time with the punchy drums and heavy bass beats. Every time there was an explosion of light, the bass vibrated the entire venue, immersing you in the experience as you felt your whole body vibrate.
Watch the official music video for “Asheville” by Glaive on YouTube:
Saturday’s show at the 9:30 Club opened with Kurtains, a young Welsh singer and producer touring as Glaive’s support across the USA. Providing the club with classic produced vocals and glitchy beats, the perfect warm-up for the main act to come. Toward the latter end of the Glaive’s set, Kurtains returned and performed some new songs along with Ash. The energy the two of them brought to the stage together was unmatched, hand on shoulder, jumping together. The two performed a few unreleased songs, teasing a new duo album with Kurtains. It was very impressive work, and I anticipate the announcement of the album after hearing the songs: “The Band,” “The Troubles,” and “Let’s Link Up and Die.”
Finishing up the show, Glaive ended with one of his most popular songs, “Asheville.” It might’ve been the last song of the show, but it was absolutely met with one of the loudest cheers of the night. Written about the town in North Carolina, Glaive grew up in it, explores some deep introspective themes, but it got the crowd pumped either way.
It’s not very often you see a crowd as dedicated as the 9:30 Club that night, but Glaive brought them out. It was clear that many were on the younger side and fans of Glaive’s early Soundcloud days, but they stuck around well into Glaive’s musical career. The fans I talked to were excited to see those classic songs, but equally excited for the new material and the future to come for the young artist.
Seeing Glaive sell out the 9:30 Club, not even a year after selling out The Atlantis, felt like watching an artist step into a new era of higher horizons. He’s still young, goofy, and game to open Pokémon cards mid-show, but his songwriting and producing have noticeably matured. It’s clear he’s building something that resonates deeply with fans and attracts plenty of new ones.
Setlist (Retrieved from Setlist.fm)
We Don’t Leave the House
Appalachia
Foreigner
For U
For God and Country
60.000 ISK
Ik
9
Bluebirds
I love you and it sounds stupid
Even when the sun is dead, will you tell them how hard i tried
Fuck
Veni Vidi Vici
huh
Weird
EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY
Nouveau Riche
oh are you bipolar one or two?
Joel
Bennie & Kay
Modafinil
The Band
The Troubles
Let’s Link Up and Die
minnesota is a place that exists
Asheville
Here are pictures of Glaive performing live at the 9:30 Club on Jan. 17, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester (@flicksby4ster).
Here are some photos of Kurtains opening Glaive at 9:30 Club on Jan. 17, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester.
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