Bontempi! This is it. The place to be. I’ll be blissfully sharing any old twaddle that comes to mind on this here blog. Unencumbered by expectation, culpability, dizziness, peckishness or self consciousness, I’ll be shoving my opinions straight down your throat and into your body where they will take seven years to digest. There will be the much revered and sometimes critisized “What’s On In Glasgow” as well as reviews and music chat. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Named after the famous Tubeway Army track “Are Frogs Electric?” this year’s festival boasts a stellar line up that includes Candi Staton and Jazzy B from Soul 2 Soul. Saturday features the Purple Party in celebration of Prince and his influences while Sunday is headlined by Todd Terje! Get your dancing shoes on.
The opening concert of Glasgow Songwriting Festival features Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow), Donna Maciocia, Dave ‘Solareye’ Hook (Stanley Odd) and is hosted by Findlay Napier. The concert will be ‘Songwriters Circle’ style with the artists sharing songs from their repertoires and performing some of their favourite songs by other writers. Glad Café is a non profit café bar and restaurant serving good eatin’ and fine brews from across the land. Check out their website here!
First it was a play. Then it was a film. Now it’s a play again. The story centres on a team of real estate agents who are encouraged to sell undesirable properties to unsuspecting customers. It sounds dry but the lead character strips naked and dances the mashed potato at the end.*
A 112 mile bike ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh which passes through the Scottish borders. The Big Belter is a challenging ride for experienced riders but there’s also a 46 mile option as well as a local 5 mile jaunt.
Not to be confused with Bat Boy, half boy half rat / songwriter Rat Boy brings his UK tour to Glasgow’s best venue. Performing such hits as Karma Chameleon, Do You Really Want to Hurt Me and I’ll Tumble 4 Ya. Support from Paul Young, Snap and Aswad.
Choose life! Choose an unfulfilling desk job. Choose an hour long bus home. Choose Netflix binges. Choose never ending procrastination and guilt that you’re not realising your potential. Choose a healthy eating plan and a mid week trip to the pub which renders it pointless. Choose going to bed too late and yawning your way through the days meetings. Choose desk worker posture. Choose Tinder, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Youtube. You get the idea. Before it was a film it was a book. After it was a book it was a play! Then it was a film. Now it’s a play again and after that there’s another film called T2. Leaked plot details reveal a future cyborg killing machine sent back through time to kill the leader of the human resistance, John Connor.
It’s exactly what it says, an Explorathon! Explore the hidden universe at the IMAX, catch Pokemon on the UofG campus and finally get round to seeing the Kelvingrove and Riverside Museums with guided tours, talks and demonstrations.
Uber cool rock duo The Kills take a break from watching clips of The Stooges and The Ramones on Youtube to visit Glasgow! Following their triumphant gig at the O2 ABC back in 2011 where this happened, I’ve planned an elaborate prank involving dropping large sacks of cornflour onto the band’s heads from the rafters. I saw it in Back to the Future and it worked a treat on Billy Zane. I hate that guy.
That’s it from me! Have a slippery September whooooooo!
*An obvious fabrication.
That’s us into July already. We’re closer to 2017 now than we are to the start of 2016. The world just keeps turning ladies and gentlemen. There will be no stopping the inevitable deterioration of our bodies and minds. Let’s get started.
This year the festival celebrates its 15th anniversary as well as Shakin’ Stevens’ 400th deathaversary. The programme includes performances of Twelfth Night, Coriolanus, Hamish Macbeth, Doctor Zhivago and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.
Originally called Sage & Onion until a legal claim by the puppets off of Live & Kicking forced them to change their name to Wire & Wool, these funky lads will be making some tasty beats this month at Stereo. Expect such hits as Lookin’ for Linda and Labour of Love. Support from The Dirty Beggars.
Baw in! 64 teams representing 52 countries will come together to celebrate and highlight the work of the Homeless World Cup National Partner network via the little known sport of “football”. George Square will be converted into an outdoor street football venue for the event, with three purpose built pitches with seating. Entry is free every day and tickets are not required. Expect such footballing terms as “here!”, “man on!” and “SWITCH IT”.
Formed in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, The Low Anthem self-produced and released their debut album “What The Crow Brings” in 2007. According to THE INTERNET, they raided bins for cereal boxes to make into album sleeves, then hand painted and cereal* numbered 600 copies. Touring in support of their latest offering “Eyeland” with support from Paul Young, Snap and Aswad.
*LOL
Scotland’s biggest free multicultural festival is back! Bursting with live music and theatre performances, exotic and mouth-watering foods from around the globe and fun for all ages. Shop for unique gifts and dazzling clothes in the marketplace before chilling out in the summer sun to the sounds of the world. Asante sana squash banana!
That’s right. Another one of these corn starch runs. I don’t know. Is this what we want, people of Glasgow? Has our repeated participation in corporate organized fun sealed our fate as a community of bankable money relinquishing lamebrains? I mean, what hope is left? I don’t know. Next.
This year’s week-long festival is packed with panels, exhibitions, pens, colouring books, stickle bricks, Meccano and retro video games – everything the discerning man-child yearns for. Actual working industry professionals will be leading talks and workshops for the aspiring… Comicer? Comicist? Comic-maker? Comicologist? Comic-person. Let’s go with that. For the full programme listings, visit the website! I’m not your slave.
Summer is here and June is a month of festivals galore! Let’s get started…
The life and times of idiot Donald Trump brought to life through the music of known idiots, Green Day. Starring dreadlocked guitar punching idiot, Newton Faulkner and TV talent show idiot, Amelia Lily. Be there or be an idiot, idiot.
Dig if you will the picture of you and I engaged in a game of Jenga. Sipping on a Purple Rain cocktail along to Hot Thing. No, this isn’t a depiction of one of my dreams, this is happening. Don’t care where we go, I don’t care what we do. I don’t care pretty baby just take me with you when you go to Rum Shack on 3rd June.
A whole month of liveliness taking place across the West End of Glasgow. There will be music, workshops, food, comedy and loads more. Check out the website for full listings.
Are you a div? If so then you’ll fit right in here at Divvyfest, the festival organized by divs for divs. Featuring DJ GOZINTHESTREET, DJ SNAKE TROUSERS and DJ TURJID. Meet me there with a giant net, some rope and a bunch of heavy rocks.
Get your mum to hand over your pocket money and a jar of jam because it’s Play Expo time baby. What safer opportunity could there be to finally meet Arlandria the goddess you met in Second Life? This way when she reveals herself to be Colin, retired refuse collector from Glenrothes you won’t have wasted the whole day! You can hang around and try out all the most exciting new games and see how the pros prestige on CoD. Hungry? Remember you’ve got your jar of jam. Don’t get carried away though because mum is picking you up at five o’ clock sharp because you’ve got trombone practice at five thirty.
A strange looking alien with a squeaky voice comes to earth and befriends a ten year old boy. The friendship between the two is exposed and the authorities become heavily involved and attempt to capture the alien. This is the story of the 1993 civil proceedings brought against Michael Jackson by the family of Jordy Chandler, a dentist’s son with whom Jackson had shared a bed during several sleepovers. Jackson was so pleased with the film, he contributed the aptly titled song “Someone in the Dark” and a voiceover for the soundtrack.
A super massive selection of presentations, experiments and workshops about everything from natural energy sources and human biology to Harris Tweed! The best part is that most of it is free and right here on University campus. Okay so you’ve probably done your fair share of learning during exams, but fun science is a science of fun!
The Glasgow Jazz Festival has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B and world music, from Paul Young to Snap and Aswad. With major concerts, a late night jazz club, film screenings and talks, it’s one of the biggest events in the Scottish jazz calendar. Yes there is a Scottish Jazz calendar you jive turkey!
That’s your June sewn up! Behave yourselves xoxo
I am livid. I’m standing in the O2ABC2 with a warm tin of Carlsberg that just set me back £4. I’m in full on ripped off customer mode and I’m just not having it. Not one bit. Enter Brother Strut; and by the time the sax solo kicks in on their opening number, a cover version of The Weeknd’s ‘I Can’t Feel My Face’ – and I’m being genuine here – I almost weep tears of joy. I’m not fucking joking. I’m still Prince-motional okay?!
For the uninitiated, Brother Strut are a five piece funk-soul band mixing reimagined cover versions of well known songs with James Brown / Marvin Gaye style original soul music. They’re also full tilt session pros having toured individually with pretty much everyone you can think of, and it shows.
Whatever the show lacked in variation, it more than made up for with an audience-flattening array of musicianship. Lengthy funk jams, mashups of Ed Sheeran vs Marvin Gaye and soaring instrumental solos ensured the steady build of crowd energy which by the end was nothing short of frenzied.
This is very American music. The band’s (English) lead vocalist dropped the odd “y’all” into his mix of crowd rousing call and response bits, but for a band to do this type of music I’d wager it’s nigh on impossible not to have traces of it’s roots and influencers seep through. That said, I did wince a tiny bit. On the subject of lead vocals, imagine if Adam Levine from Maroon 5 was genuinely musically skilled, then add on at least another octave of vocal range at each end and you’ve got Sam Tanner. I lost count after 4 key raises at the end of Vinyl Is My Bible but it felt like he could’ve happily kept going into K-9 only territory.
I desperately want to go on and talk about the unbelievable sax and guitar solos, the samba drum solo with plenty of cowbell and the World Championship winning Bass Face, but I think you get the idea. It was good. Very good. I’m still pissed off about that £4 tinny though.
The week before last was Depression Awareness Week. As such I did some humming and hawing about writing this post but in the end thought some people may find it of use. The post wasn’t published when I had intended because Prince went and died, the cheeky monkey. I’m definitely not thrilled about broadcasting personal stuff so will keep details to a minimum. I suspect however, that more people than you would think are quietly milling around in a perpetual state of wretchedness. If their mental state could be represented by a sound, it would be the noise your Dyson makes after you switch it off and it slowly grinds to a halt. Beeeeeeooooooow. I’m not a fan of the word “depression” so for remainder of this article I shall be referring to it as Cake.
Cake is a much more talked about illness now than say, ten years ago. It’s troubling however, that it’s still mainly only talked about in a sort of anonymous way. You can read articles about it in The Guardian newspaper and some celebrities are candid about their experiences but I’ve found very few people in real life who are open about suffering from mental illness. It’s not hard to imagine why that might be. Most people assume that if they talk about the fact they’re depressed, they’ll be judged or worse, pitied! Unfortunately, in some cases they’re right. This is something that absolutely needs to be remedied. In my opinion, this is one of the most significant factors when considering why so many people keep their cake to themselves. (LOL)
Obviously, this is a complicated issue. People who don’t suffer from depre… cake can find it hard to understand, which I get. It’s partly that element of unpredictability in people’s attitudes that perpetuates the “suffer in silence” problem. So you see, we don’t talk about it because we fear we won’t be understood and we’re often not understood because we don’t talk about it. So here I am talking about it! Stick that in your pipe. I’ll tell you a bit about my experience, what I’ve tried over the years to cope with it and what I’ve learned on the way. Hopefully if you’re reading this and you’re feeling shit and alone and that you can’t talk to anyone about it because they’ll think you’re a mad badger, this will at the very least offer you some comfort. You’re not a mad badger and you’re definitely not the only one feeling dem feels. So many feels!
When I was a kid, as young as ten or so, I’d get days when I couldn’t talk to anyone or do anything. I would experience a strange feeling I couldn’t understand at the time which I can now articulate simply as: DOOM. The inescapable, inexplicable feeling of fucking doom. Doom for no reason whatsoever. I’d worry about the potentiality of things all the time. “I hope I never have to do this, I hope that doesn’t ever happen to me. I bet it will! AAAHHH!” I started sleeping during the day, (I still do this) and couldn’t focus on anything, least of all my school work. Now, I’m not saying I was shit in school because I was depressed, but it was a significant factor. I was also thick as shit in a bottle. (Some self-deprecation for you there; a classic.) In a nutshell, I felt sad a lot but I didn’t know why. This pattern continued into the years that followed with varying degrees of severity, eventually stretching its blackened tentacles into my relationships and work life. Of course I had no idea at the time that it wasn’t normal to feel distant, angry, bored, tired, sad, impatient etc ALL THE TIME. I treated loved ones badly and I imagine I was quite difficult to be around. I did some damage that was irreparable and that I now have to live with. I buried myself in music, which has always been my go-to reprieve, and pretty much just ploughed on.
My twenties wizzed by, I got my pointless degree in Performing Arts, made great new friends, moved to Glasgow and got myself the band I’d always wanted. On paper, all really positive things. That shadow still clung on to my heel though and I couldn’t shake it. I’d find myself in social situations unable to engage and making excuses to go home. I then started making the excuses in advance to save myself a journey. I still do this sometimes. I couldn’t escape the feeling of being unfulfilled; that my life just wasn’t enough. I hadn’t achieved what I wanted to achieve and therefore never would. It was too late, I was too old, not good enough blah blah blah. And these are just the feelings I can articulate. There’s also all the underlying stuff that, much like The Terminator, can’t be bargained with, can’t be reasoned with and it will NOT STOP UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD. A total fucking albatross of misery man. Pure shite.
In 2014, I’d come far enough to accept that this wasn’t just going to fix itself, nor was it an acceptable way of life. I found a doctor that wasn’t a jaded, uninterested cyborg incapable of engaging with a human being and we had a chat. I did a box ticking test and she told me I was a genius. Also, I was depressed. I agreed to try a course of a drug called Fluoxetine – an anti-depressant. I also started exercising more and did a bit of meditation. I didn’t start jumping for joy and smiling from ear to ear, but I noticed a massive difference in my emotional stability and wellbeing. Most importantly, it enabled me to experience something which I didn’t realize at the time I’d never really experienced before; normal, non-doom laden consciousness. I stopped worrying all the time, was able to hold conversations with more ease and became more confident and secure in my own skin. Also, and this was a big one – I just didn’t feel so sad all the time.
The thing is, I probably wouldn’t have even considered medication had it not been for a conversation I had with a friend who had recently tried it. That conversation broke down the barriers I had in my head with regards medication and seeking help in general. Here was someone who on the surface of things was absolutely firing on all cylinders in life, quite candidly discussing their mental health. It was a watershed moment. Someone else is going through this same thing! This, among all of the pep-talks I’d had over the years, all of the stuff I’d read, watched and thought about, this was the thing that eased the pressure. Of course, no two experiences are the same and in this case mine was quite different. Medication isn’t a one size fits all solution and I’m not writing this piece to offer any miracle cures. My message is this: Depression is a bitch. It takes the stuff that’s good in your life and wipes its arse with it. Don’t sweep it under the rug. Sweep under your rug in general though because dust can really collect under there. If you’re going through anything like what I’ve described, talk to your mates, your other half, your family or whoever. Consider talking to your GP for professional advice. Dinna plod awa on yer own for ony sake!
I’m currently off medication. My cake is still with me but I just eat it one day at a time (LOL). I exercise, meditate and create. I take comfort from friends and family and from a more detailed understanding of this illness. I have good days and bad ones, but I’m not where I was before which is progress, and that’s enough.
Welcome to May. We’re back with your official guide to all of this month’s best events. Let’s get started.
Don’t miss your chance to be absurdly overcharged for the chance to enjoy your life for a few brief hours and forget the fact that you face an existence consisting merely of the inevitability of daily alarm clocks, brown envelopes, public transport, Performance Development Reviews and no Prince. Featuring DJ Mashed Potato, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, Slam Dunk Da Funk and Jock Shite. If paying through the nose for your ticket isn’t enough, why not spend a small fortune on food and drink while inside the venue too?
Birmingham’s expert collaborator Laura Mvula has recently recorded with Chic hit-maker-fairy-dust sprinkler Nile Rodgers as well as muso collective Snarky Puppy. Her second album ‘The Dreaming Room’ is due for release in June and will showcase further collaborations with the likes of Paul Young, Snap and Aswad. The album is a collection of recalled dreams that Laura has noted down each morning she awakes. The lead single “Toothbrush” was written following a lucid dream in which Laura was brushing her teeth and spat the toothpaste out only to be awoken by the very real sensation of spitting saliva all over herself. Don’t miss Laura at Oran Mor this month for a live recreation sponsored by Aquafresh.
With 200 events in 50 venues, this is the biggest community organised event in Glasgow. Featuring theatre, music and everything in between. Head to the website for full listings and get along to Rum Shack on 13th for the launch. Click here to see Southside’s favourite hippie Crawford Smith chatting on STV for last year’s festival.
The legendary musician will be bringing his celebration of the The Beach Boys’ timeless classic Pet Sounds to Glasgow this month. Yes, this is really happening. Expect a live performance of Pet Sounds in its entirety, as well as cuts spanning his 54-year career with The Beach Boys and as a solo artist. Featuring the hits “London Nights” and “Requiem”.
You’ve probably never heard of this band unless you’re familiar with the Crap Band Name World Series but don’t let the moniker put you off. If you ever wondered what session musicians do when they’re not touring with Madonna and Sting, look no further. Brother Strut is a touring version of the band’s backstage area. The results are this: Outrageous cover of Sex On Fire. Also check out their version of I Can’t Feel My Face (you’ll need Spotify for that). Okay, they’re middle aged British guys doing funk music which is never big or clever. Dem grooves tho. Huah!
Not to be confused with the best band of all time from whom this event gets its name, Color Me Badd. The gist is this: You turn up and get a t-shirt that is “whiter than your grandad’s dentures” (bit like Brother Strut then) and run a 5k. On the way, you get pelted with cornstarch that has been coloured in a variety of shades. This is the kind of thing we as humans now accept as reasonable lengths to go to in order to achieve a sense of basic happiness. Expect such colours as “Red”, “Orange” and “Green”. An agreement is currently being reached with “Purple” which has seen unprecedented demand since the recent death of Barney the Dinosaur.
That’s it for this month. If anyone needs me, I’ll be crying myself to sleep on my Purple pillow.
When the news spread that Prince had died, I got a lot of messages. A lot of people, some of whom I haven’t seen or spoken to in years contacted me offering good wishes and condolences. This is the kind of thing usually reserved for family bereavement, but I was genuinely touched to learn that so many people actually understood a modicum of what this man meant to me. It’s hard to describe it to you now but I’m going to give it my best go.
Everything.
I have no idea who I would be without Prince, but I wouldn’t be me. Some of my earliest memories are of listening to Purple Rain on vinyl by myself over and over. I thought the song ‘Darling Nikki’ was written about me. I asked my parents what he was talking about when he said he wanted to ‘grind’. I didn’t get an answer. My childhood fascination never faded and I slowly collected every album he ever released, saw him in concert several times and even bought a replica of his Cloud guitar. I recorded a TV broadcast of the Lovesexy Dortmund show in ’88 and wore the VHS tape out. I learned to play the guitar. I picked up bits and pieces of keys and drums (try as I might I wasn’t as talented as him). I started writing and recording my own music. All of this I did because of Prince. I was completely hooked on this Electric Man. An untouchable force of raw talent. The purest manifestation of a musical performer I’ve ever seen. Whenever I get on stage with my band, I’m doing my best to convey just a glimmer of the magnetism he had.
His music got under my skin and spoke to me like nothing else could. My own persona is inextricably linked to the influence that he’s had. He taught me to be original, to be determined and to be confident. From him alone I learned that it’s okay for men to embrace femininity (it’s in there lads). I learned the value of creative living. I learned how to sing. I learned about self image and self belief. I learned how to really play a guitar solo. I learned to respect and revere women.
Ultimately though, he gave me my love for music which is a massive saving grace in my life. It’s a constant throughout everything else and something for which I am eternally grateful.
Thank you Prince, my brother. Love’s too weak to define just what you mean to me.
Want to know what’s on in Glasgow in the month of April? You’ve come to the right article. It’s called ‘What’s On in Glasgow in April?’ Let’s get started.
Head to the ‘Spiegeltent’ on Candleriggs for a selection of ‘POP-UP’ (when will this term leave out lives?) restaurants showcasing the best culinary delights our city has to offer. Participating restaurants include such toe curlingly monikered establishments as Porter and Rye, TASTY by Tony Singh and Burger Meats Bun. Plus Red Onion. Expect to have your food served to you on an assortment of objects including a slipper, a plank of wood, a toilet seat, a chopping board and a clog.
A direct quote from Sally’s website reveals that “she discovered from a young age that was she was seeing and experiencing was not sufficed to say normal.” Neither, it would seem is her team’s grasp of the English language. “Her psychic experiences started when she was very young citing her first ghost at the age of four.” I must admit that to quote a ghost at such a young age is impressive although what the quote was for is never established. Must’ve be an essay or something. In addition to appearing on TV’s Come Dine With Me alongside Freddie Kreuger, penning several books and touring the land, Sally also finds the time to offer a three tier emailed psychic reading package. Ranging from Silver to Platinum, you can ask Sally(‘s team of mediums) questions and send her (team) a photo of yourself! A snip at £59.00. Catch Sally in Glasgow this month and find out what the future has in store for you. Alternatively, take £24 in cash, go into the nearest lavatory, put the cash into the toilet bowl and pull the flush. The coins won’t go but you won’t want to put your hand in to retrieve them and they’ll still have been put to better use than if you were to buy a ticket for this show.
Three plays about James I, II and III of Scotland by Rona Munro, directed by Laurie Sansom. Each play stands alone as a unique vision of a country tussling with its past and future; viewed together they create a complex and compelling narrative on Scottish culture and nationhood. An ensemble of 20 actors takes the audience through a rarely-explored period of history with playful wit and boisterous theatricality. I stole that blurb.
Local one man alt folk act Peter Kelly aka Beerjacket has beaten the odds and managed to keep going for ten whole years! Congratulate the man and enjoy some jingle jangle tunes by getting along to King Tuts this month. Support from Paul Young, Snap and Aswad.
At the age of 65, ex Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. He was given about 10 months to live and elected not to have any chemotherapy. He began contemplating the end of his life and planned a farewell tour of gigs. That was in 2013. The cancer turned out to be a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (which is treatable). Thus, following removal of his pancreas, spleen, part of his stomach, small and large intestines and the removal and reconstruction of blood vessels relating to the liver, Wilko is now cancer free. Phew! Catch his amazing story in the Julien Temple docu-film The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson and see the man himself, in the flesh this month at the O2 ABC. If you like raw, animalistic, frenzied stage dashing and bald dudes with 1000 yard stares (who doesn’t), you’ll love it!
A club night for the body and mind featuring dense soundscapes, rhythmic conundrums and blurred musical boundaries. Glasgow’s Alex Smoke will be showcasing tracks from his brand new genre defying R&S release ‘Love Over Will’ while Moiré will be performing cuts from his brand new 12-inch EP ‘Line + Colours’. As if that wasn’t enough, Moodcut will be beamed in as a hologram from the planet Burgenloaf with tracks from the EP ‘Heart Beat Taweaway’.
Check out all three acts here:
Don’t miss out on your chance to view the surface of the sun safely via special telescopes provided by the Astronomical Society of Glasgow. They’ll also have a telescope workshop so if you’ve got one lying around at home gathering dust, bring it along and learn how to use it! The best part? It’s FREE! YIPEEEEEE!
Bard in the Botanics present a series of songs, sketches and scenes at Oran Mor this month to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Skakin’ Stevens. Featuring full performances of the albums ‘This Ole House’, ‘Shaky’ and ‘Give Me Your Heart Tonight.’
*Some information stated may be incorrect.
That’s your April! Enjoy it for goodness’ sake!
As usual there’s tons of live music happening in Glasgow this month. Here’s a tiny fraction of the ones I’m excited about in order of excitement.
I once had an actual conversation with Marti Pellow about whether Jammie Dodgers or Tunnock’s Tea Cakes were better. Granted, they’re very different biscuits and perhaps not directly aimed at the same demographic. Purely from a taste standpoint though, I’m JD all the way.
Uninteresting indie pop. They think they’re cool. They’re not.
Pronounced DIVE. “Uber-cool” New Yorkers touring their bizarrely titled and grammatically upsetting album “Is The Is Are”.
A Twitter endorsement by Prince has provided some extra but deserved attention for this Sunderland duo. Indie / funk / electro-pop.
New monthly folk night hosted by Sandy Nelson and Morna Young who along with some special guests will present folk versions of well known tunes.
Big eyed electro pop songstress who gained notoriety by featuring as a vocalist on a global producer’s hit track. More indie pop singers should do that. Foxes gets a point though for having an interesting name that isn’t “something the something” or “something and the something”. See Emmy The Great, Kitty & The Lion and Pixie-Dust and the Boring Bastard.
Avant garde electronic beats machine / singer / songwriter / music video director / record producer / superstar! Support from Paul Young, Snap and Aswad.
I watched Little Mix perform at The Brits recently and they blew Rhianna out of the water. A pop act complete.
Party hard pop fans!
Welcome to your new month! It’s called “March” and this is what the things are that are on in it. This month, your music listings will feature in their very own article so keep your eyes and ears open for that. Let’s get started!
Are you an idiot? Do you like to have “a laugh”? Perhaps you have a nickname like “Bonzo” or “Div”. If so then you’ll no doubt have been crossing the days off your calendar for this year’s St Paddy’s Day. It’s the one day a year you get to dust off that hilarious big green hat that just screams “bants.” It’s your one chance in the whole year to go to the pub and drink, shout and sing along to The Fratellis.
A massive selection of stand up, workshops and performances across the city throughout March. Featuring Omid Djalili, Frankie Boyle and Reginald D Hunter to name a few.
Michelle tells tales of her career as a sort of celebrity including “The Time I Opened a LIDL in Rutherglen” and “The Time I Tried to Christen a Boat But The Bottle Wouldn’t Smash So We Had To Open It and Pour it Around.”
This Olivier award-winning play has been performed across the world since it was first premiered at the 2005 Edinburgh International Festival. The play depicts a meeting between a middle-aged man and a young woman who rake over their relationship which ended when he was 40 and she was only twelve years old. So…yup.
Grass roots stand up from local legend Chris Thorburn aka Chris Thorburn. Click here for his YouTube channel.
Everyone’s favourite and unlikeliest athlete / comedian brings a night of stand up and chat to the King’s. Don’t know who Grado is? Then get yourself along to ICW at the Garage to see where it all started!
Want to watch massive men stick eachother with thumb-tacks, smash eachother’s noggins with chairs and generally pulverise themselves for your entertainment? Then you should see your GP and consider some form of medication. Definitely don’t go the The Garage on 6th March.
Aye Write returns with a stellar line-up of big names, social discussion and new features. Tickets are on sale now! Visit the website for a full programme.
There’s loads more going on in Glasgow this month so whatever you do, have fun and don’t wear a stupid leprechaun hat! If you do and I see you, I’ll take it off you and throw it in the traffic.
Music guide for March to follow soon…
Nick Bruce 