CITY IS ON SONG
Our bars and music scene are huge draw
THE bars and restaurants of Glasgow have a symbiotic relationship with the local music scene. Stages and rehearsal spaces are provided within hospitality venues but the connection is more important than that.
Emerging bands constantly tell me that one of the reasons that they live and work in Glasgow is because of the spark of creativity they find from local cafes in the morning through to late-night post-gig diners.
There’s a lot of crossover in personnel.
Many street food businesses that have started up in recent years got their first start at music festivals.
Often a DJ or band will pay their way through a first album through getting a bar job.
We’ve got the type of places where you could form a band, have the album artwork organised, book the tour DJ and have the number for the promoter of your first gig, all over the space of a soup and a sandwich.
It’s a very easy urban network that makes good things happen.
There’s an all-day event – a festival of music discovery – taking place across spaces of all shapes and sizes on Saturday.
The Great Western will be held in more recognisable gig landmarks like Glasgow University Union, Webster’s Theatre and Maryhill
Community Central Halls.
There will also be stages in The Hug and Pint, The Alchemy Experiment on Byres Road and The Doublet.
Arab Strap recently joined the bill – appropriate for this one as Monday at The Hug and Pint is the name of the band’s fifth studio album.
Singer Aidan Moffat, below, told me recently that the first time he met Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite was at Nice N Sleazy on Sauchiehall Street, somewhere they would go for quiz night and to catch bands playing downstairs.
If Glasgow is going to nurture the next generation of musical talent we need to keep those places for bands to create, to meet and to perform.
Remember, be nice to your server in your local hangout, next time you see them they could be headlining The Hydro.
The Great Western will include performances from Anna Meredith, The Ninth Wave, Cloth, The Joy Hotel, Taahliah and Oracle Sisters.
Top Glasgow Places for Music and Food
King Tut’s
Still the stage that holds a level mystique and history for local bands, you can also enjoy pizza slices and beer in the bar.
Saint Luke’s
The East End venue has highprofile gigs this month with Damon Albarn and The Libertines among the performers scheduled to appear.
Next door in the Winged
Ox, you can expect burgers, loaded fries, sandwiches and nachos.
Stereo
Before local bands take to the stage downstairs, don’t be surprised to see them enjoying tapas-style small plates in the cafe bar.
Mono
The vegan cafe is one of the great gathering spots for local musicians. Expect eclectic, spicy, international plates and comfort food to sustain the writing process.
Max’s Bar
A landmark in Glasgow that previously was the social headquarters of bands like The Bluebells and The Blue Nile. Max’s hosts a lively roster of local DJs while serving up chicken wings and hot dogs.
Glad Cafe
Visit to see the headline performance of your favourite local band, then call in for brunch the next day.