It’s celebration time for the city’s Garage
A favourite with students for 25 years... memorable gigs and nights out are remembered at birthday party on Saturday, writes HOLLY LENNON
ITS stage has acts from Prince to One Direction, and its dancefloor has welcomed tens of thousands of Glaswegians and visitors alike and this year, The Garage will be celebrating its 25th birthday.
The Sauchiehall Street unit was previously home to a ballroom called The Gainsborough, where off-duty service personnel would meet up the locals and dance the night away during the Second World War.
It then traded as The New Astoria Ballroom, Shuffles and The Mayfair, before it was officially taken over by owner Donald MacLeod in 1994.
Along with his then business partner, Michele Pagliocca, the pair devised a plan to get Glasgow students through the door.
Not only did the customers come in their thousands, but so did the bands.
The entrance to the venue celebrates every act to have been booked to perform under its roof. Many have to be seen to be believed.
Prince played a surprise gig to a sizeable number of lucky fans back in 1995. The gig has gone down in history as one of the most priceless shows to take place in the city.
In contrast, metal star Marilyn Manson played the venue to next year, cementing its status as one of the best venues for rock concerts.
Biffy Clyro, The Strokes, The Darkness, Queens of the Stone Age and Nickleback have all taken to the stage.
In one of the most surprising shows, now arena stadium sellouts Muse played the Garage – supported by none other than Coldplay.
As the Garage’s popularity grew, so did the venue. The G2 room was officially added in 1998 to offer an even wider variety of music. The Balcony and Attic later followed.
The nightclub now spans across three floors, one of its biggest selling points.
Owner Donald MacLeod believes its longevity has become even more poignant in light of recent events on Sauchiehall Street.
For some business owners, it was touch and go whether they would survive following the downturn in footfall caused by the Glasgow School of Art fire and Avenue Project.
Donald explained: “It’s a Silver Anniversary for The Garage, but a golden moment in time for this world famous, iconic Glasgow institution and one I am so very proud and delighted to be celebrating. Time does indeed pass quickly and all of a sudden I feel a lot older than my 57 years young.
“I had no idea that The Garage, like my other club The Cathouse, would still be around and setting the pace as both a live venue and night club 25 years later. Back then, when Glasgow was infamously known as the City of Curfew, most clubs would be lucky to last out the year, let alone 25 of them.
“Proof I suppose that in my own crazy way I and my equally dysfunctional and fantastic team, over the years knew what we were doing what Glasgow nightlife needed and more importantly wanted.
“It’s reckoned that over 10 million people have safely passed through its doors and climbed its legendary stairs to be entertained in its multitude of rooms. Which must be a record in itself, and many millions more made a similar journey before then, back to the days of WWII when it was called the Gainsborough Ballroom, playing the big band sounds of Glenn Millar, whilst German Luftwaffe bombers screamed overhead.
“Some of my favourite memories apart from the opening night, include legendary live performances of Prince, Roger Taylor, Marilyn Manson, Ian Dury, Tommy Lee, Example, The Bloodhound Gang, Biffy Clyro, Papa Roach, Gun and Fun Lovin Criminals as well as more recently ICW, Barns Courtney, Stephanie Cheape, The Prides, B-Charlotte and Uproar.
The Garage has had plenty of laughs over these two plus decades, with top comics John Bishop, Frankie Boyle, Rich Hall, Des Clarke and Daniel Sloss to name but a few.
Donald added: “I would like to humbly thank everyone who has been involved in The Garage over the past 25 years and its ongoing success, my management team and staff, both venue and office, the many artists, the promoters, suppliers, security, the media, the general public and of course my beautiful and long-suffering wife Pauline and my wonderful family for their support and help in making the Garage so successful and a globally celebrated and legendary Glasgow institution.
“Long may it continue. Happy 25th Birthday Garage.”
To mark the landmark birthday, the club will be throwing a party on Saturday.
On the main stage, the resident DJs will be turning the clock all the way back to 1994 to take clubgoers on a journey through the years with a celebration of contemporary pop culture eventually landing in the heart of 2019. Everyone will be a winner on the night too, as we give out 1800 silver envelopes containing prizes like: gig tickets, hoodies, T-shirts, gold cards, popsockets, chocolate bars and one lucky winner will win an extra special grand prize. Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli, is among Scottish stars wishing the venue a happy birthday.
He commented: “Happy 25th
‘‘ I remember one of the best gigs of my life in the Garage was Travis before they were famous
birthday to the Garage. 25 is a strange act, you’re not quite an adult but you’re not a child. You’re still finding your feet but the Garage found its feet a long time ago.
“I remember one of the best gigs of my life in the Garage was Travis before they were famous.
“The Prince after party was legendary as well. Not only in Glasgow but in the world.”
Former Celtic player John Hartson added: “I can remember coming into the Garage several times over the years, with friends visiting from Wales and it was always a great night.
“Here’s to 25 more years.”