Venues back in spotlight for new gig photobook Big-name concerts in Stirling area
and the Bunnymen played Stirling University’s Pathfoot building
Stirling and Bannockburn venues feature in a new photobook capturing the vital moments of Scotland’s live music experience, published this week.
“Sixteen Years: Gigs in Scotland 1974-1990” showcases rare amateur gig photography alongside the work of selected professionals as well as an array of memorabilia such as gig posters, set lists and autographed material.
Stirling University’s Pathfoot building features as it was on the postpunk gig circuit, with performances from the Damned in 1977 through to the likes of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Echo and the Bunnymen.
The city’s Albert Halls also saw gigs from Crass to the Pogues, and The Tamdhu/atom Club in Bannockburn was a played by the Cocteau Twins and the Pogues.
Two summer festivals at Loch Lomond Bear Park in 1979 and 1980, with bands like Buzzcocks, Average White Band, and The Jam, also feature in the book.
Featuring 2,000 images spanning 32 locations across Scotland, the book presents rare and previously unpublished photographs of
Scotland’s music history and lost venues. The book also includes a foreword by author and music fan Ian Rankin.
Project initiator Chris Brickley sourced the material over a period of two years.
More than 150 private collectors, from Scotland, the UK and overseas, have contributed to make the book a reality.
Crowdsourcing much of the photography and memorabilia, as well as receiving contributions from professional photographers including Harry Papadopoulos and Chalkie
Davies.
Chris said: “The result is a comprehensive and accessible book, providing a rare insight into the creative and diverse era either side of the punk explosion in the later 1970s and preserving photographic material which might otherwise be lost or destroyed.
“Sixteen Years includes photographs and memorabilia ranging from David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones, REM, U2, Joy Division and Jam to Kraftwerk, Devo, Cramps, Fall, Adam and the Ants, Birthday Party, Suicide, Skids, Scars and Simple Minds, as well as Crass, Swans, Virgin Prunes, Nico and Divine.
“Alongside this eclectic and impressive array of criticallyacclaimed acts are photographs of venues, industry figures and fans themselves. By including both crafted images by professional photographers and amateur shots from within the crowd, the book is unique in capturing the essence of the live music experience.
“The main challenge was to raise the funds required to print the book. This was achieved through the enthusiasm and generosity of a group of cosponsors, with the balance raised through nearly 100 crowdfunded pre-orders and donations over three weeks in February this year. With the target reached, the project was able to come to fruition and contributors and fans alike are now able to view a fascinating slice of Scotland’s music history.
“I was staggered by the range and quality of the material available. I wanted to cover the whole of Scotland, to give a flavour of how things actually looked.
“Gig-going was a fundamental part of our social lives, democratic and affordable, and the friendships forged are enduring. I’m sure fans will enjoy looking through the book, whether they were there at the time or perhaps younger music enthusiasts tired of their parents’ memories.”
Ian Rankin added: “Chris has curated a treasure trove of concert memories from Scotland’s rock music past. A trip down memory lane for many of us, it’s also an invaluable guide to a lost world of venues, bands, fashions and moments in time.”
Fans are now able to view a fascinating slice of Scotland’s music history