Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles has announced a headline show at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 7th December as part of his upcoming European tour!
About Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles unassumingly upholds and continues the tradition of traveling troubadours, relaying the news, putting pain into words, and healing with a little humor. Fearless, he reports from the frontlines of a divided country on the brink, addressing inequalities and injustices, cutting through all bullshit and driving directly to the source of the matter. His songs leave the same mark in front of a sold-out club as they do under the unbiased eye of a smartphone camera as he strums his guitar alone in the wilderness of Arkansas. Following tens of millions of streams and a groundswell of acclaim from Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and more, the singer, songwriter, and guitar player cuts deep on his 2025 full-length album Middle. "Breathe to write, write to breathe," he says. "Humans are meant to create, so I'm gonna create music and keep releasing it constantly."
Jesse calls Ozark, AR home. Growing up, his father worked as a mechanic, and his mom a school teacher. Early on, his grandpa copied The Beatles' White Album and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for Jesse. At 12-years-old, he finally scrounged up enough to dough for a “$56 first act guitar from Walmart.” It became like another limb. He fed his obsession by checking CDs out of the public library and ripping them to the family computer, embracing classics from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie.
Relocating to Nashville, he launched his eponymous band Welles, releasing music and touring incessantly. He logged 280 shows in a year, canvassing North America and Europe alongside the likes of Royal Blood, Highly Suspect, Greta Van Fleet, and Dead Sara. Dropped from his old label (mid-Pandemic), he quit a job at a vegan meat manufacturer and returned to Arkansas. In February 2024, life changed again when dad suffered a heart attack. Sitting in his father’s hospital room with a Woody Guthrie biography on his lap, Jesse realized what he needed to do.
He walked into the Ozarks, placed his phone on a tripod, sang right to it, and posted the performance. The ensuing series of videos made a seismic impact online. He impressively attracted over 1 million followers on Instagram by performing tunes like “Cancer,” “Fentanyl,” and “War Isn’t Murder” out in the cold. On a creative tear, he served up two full-length albums, Hells Welles and Patchwork, and sold out successive headline tours. Capping off 2024, he railed against the corruption of the healthcare system in the powerful polemic “United Health,” which Rolling Stone hailed as “a John Prine-like ballad.”
Now, Jesse turns the page on another chapter with his new album Middle and its first single “Horses.” “It’s a pro-love song,” he notes. “Fear leads to hate. Hate leads to all kinds of atrocities. You build up walls. If you love everyone, it’s a lot easier on you—and everybody else too. Hate is a whip for the mule. Nobody gets nutrition from it.”
“If my music helps you believe you can make art and tell the world how you feel, there would be nothing better,” he leaves off. “I hope you get those paints out of the garage or fill up your journal. Turn on your phone and say what you gotta to say. There’s so much wild stuff in my head. I want to see where it can go.”
| Find tickets with Ticketmaster: | Search now |
Some external links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click or make a purchase.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at The Old Fruitmarket
Siobhan Miller Band and Saltfishforty
Siobhan Miller returns to Celtic Connections for her biggest headline show to date, a one-night celebration in the iconic Old Fruitmarket marking the release of her first live album!
READ MORE
Québécois Cèilidh Dance
Try out Québécois ceilidh dancing at this special event in the Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections 2026!
READ MORE
Le Vent du Nord and Support
The raucous Québec quintet Le Vent du Nord returns to Celtic Connections for a foot-stomping live performance at the Old Fruitmarket!
READ MORE
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Celtic Connections 2026 welcomes the return of soulful Southern rock group St. Paul & The Broken Bones to The Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 25th January!
READ MORE
Celtic Fandango and support
Celtic Fandango is an extraordinary collaboration between many of the best musicians from Scotland and Mexico, resulting in a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation.
READ MORE
Shooglenifty and Moxie
Prepare for a spectacular night of genre-bending music as Shooglenifty, the iconic pioneers of 'Acid Croft', return to the magnificent Old Fruitmarket!
READ MORE
Friends Again and Support
Get ready for an unforgettable, celebratory night as the legendary Friends Again take to the spectacular stage of the Old Fruitmarket for Celtic Connections 2026!
READ MORE
Yann Tiersen and support
Yann Tiersen brings his profoundly unique vision to Celtic Connections, following a series of low-impact, anti-capitalist tours that have redefined live music!
READ MORE
Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker will bring The Wormslayer Tour featuring The Mad Alchemist Liquid Light Show to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Wednesday 11th February!
READ MORE
Myra DuBois: Cosmic Empath
After a barnstorming 2024 which saw Myra Dubois sell-out venues across the UK and Ireland, she returns to the stage with her brand-new show Cosmic Empath, don't miss her in Glasgow in February!
READ MORE
The Useless Hotline: Now Hiring!
Max Balegde & George Clark are taking their hit podcast, The Useless Hotline, on its second UK tour, join them for an evening of fun games and outrageous dilemmas at the Old Fruitmarket in February!
READ MORE
13 Again: Live
The 13 Again podcast, hosted by brothers Max and Harvey alongside their younger sister Tilly is heading on the road for the very first time, don't miss them at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall!
READ MORE
Glasgow CREATE Big Band & Guests
Glasgow CREATE Big Band take to the stage in the iconic Old Fruitmarket on Monday 23rd February for another fantastic celebration of jazz, funk and soul!
READ MORE
Trance Classical
Expect the biggest tracks from the likes of Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk and more, reimagined by a 24 piece orchestra when Trance Classical returns to the Old Fruitmarket!
READ MORE
Tom Davis: Spudgun
Tom Davis is back on the road with new show Spudgun, firing out his freshly cooked observations on life's hot topics at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival!
READ MORE
Holly Humberstone
Award-winning and critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone returns to Glasgow for a headline show at the Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 29th March!
READ MORE
The Longest Johns
Chart topping folk group The Longest Johns are heading out on The Ends of the Earth tour in 2026, don't miss them at the Old Fruitmarket on Wednesday 13th May!
READ MORE
Calum MacPhail
An exciting new presence on the Celtic live music scene, Scottish accordionist and vocalist Calum MacPhail will headline the Old Fruitmarket on Friday 22nd May!
READ MORE
I’m Grand Mam: Happy Campers
Kevin Twomey and PJ Kirby, the wildly popular Irish comedy duo, bring their live show 'Happy Campers' to The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow on Thursday 28th May!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your child to music? Amplify's fun and engaging ukulele classes are designed just for 5 to 8-year-olds—the perfect stepping stone into music education!
READ MORE
Adult Music Workshops
Always wanted to play an instrument? Now's your chance! Join Amplify Music Academy for their relaxed, one-hour daytime group lessons for adults!
READ MORE
Music at The Burrell with The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
This special concert series at The Burrell Collection features eight unique performances showcasing 25 outstanding young musicians from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations... discover the music of Simon and Garfunkel at the Trades Hall.
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Oasis
Discover the music of Oasis in Glasgow's Trades Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!
READ MORE
DECADES - Beatles & Beyond with Itchycoo Park
Itchycoo Park are excited to announce a three set performance with a full set dedicated to one of the most influential bands of all time - The Beatles!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Green Day
Get your tickets now and discover the music of Green Day at Merchants House of Glasgow under the gentle glow of candlelight!
READ MORE
Simply Rod Stewart
James Frew is Simply Rod Stewart... performing all the hits in immaculate fashion and in the inimitable style of the man himself!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute To Taylor Swift
Discover the music of Taylor Swift at Glasgow's Trades Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!
READ MOREFind other events in Glasgow
Sponsored Links