a,» swim...
The a of noise
Malcolm Jack trawls Glasgow and Edinburgh for the bars where a little live music goes a long way.
LIVE MUSIC IN BARS
In this selection of bars we have been careful only to select those venues that do not
have a dedicated. separate performance stage. But there are plent of other brilliant places to see live music - especially in Glasgow. See Music listings (starting on page
65) for the world's comprehensive guide toilive music in central Scotland.
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just as great a propensin l‘or
s the smoking ban looms large. prior to the outlawing ol~ talking. perhaps live rnusic could be the ne\t thing leemed too coarse lor consumption on a night out.
Well. perhaps a slight leap ol' the imagination here. But as prosaic co\crs bands. dodg) open mic nights and lslll\cl'l karaoke encroach on the traditional territor} ol~ original entertainment. it's at least true that tracking down l'rce even cheap access to edg} local artists and a good beer at the same time is no mean l‘eat.
ll' live music‘s reall) )Ulll‘ bag. then )ou'll know where to get _vour li\ (and likel} be prepared to pa} through the nose il' necessar} l. But what's out there lor the curious punter. twice sh} l'or having once paid a li\ er to watch lo godaw l'ul bands regurgitate l-oo l’ighters songs at the volume ol a small passenger _iet'.’ ’l'lu' rm is at hand with some ol the best places to hell) up to a bar l'or‘ pints and hear an earl'ul ol' decent licks too. without having to shilt to a dedicated perl'ormance space.
HI
Glasgow With a tradition l‘or live music and guitar bands in such ascendancy now the cit_v seems inundated with hopel'uls and
bars keen to book them. The next big thing is
probava knocking around
the circuit somewhere. but
remember that (ilasgow has NOW AND BARS ARE KEEN TO
much a stamp oi its qualit}
as anything else.
Bar Bloc lll7 Bath Street. (ll—ll 574 ()()()()l is one ()I the newer kids on the block. Don't be l'ooled b} the slighll} s\\';tltk_\' interior and dastime clientele: at night the bar lireqtientl} becomes a hit/ling live hub l‘or both acoustic and lull-on electric acts. liree entr} makes it all the more worthwhile stopping b}.
Stereo l 14 Kelvinhaugh Street. (ll-ll 57o Sliltli ma} not be in its current location lorever. as rounder (‘raig 'lannock is hoping to establish a new venue in the cit_\ centre. but it is nonetheless well worth a visit. l’robabl) the \Hil'sl kept secret in the West lind. Stereo hosts everything l'rom touring bands to club nights and local acts. lt remains a must lor amone with a real taste l‘or a great grim} gig. and good strong imported lager. though there is usuall} a door l'ee.
Stereo's sister venue Mono (12 King's ('ourt. King Street. (ll-ll 553 9-15?“ offers a dil'l‘erent al‘lair. resembling some kind ol~ muso‘s heaven. combining a small stage. well stocked bar. cracking vegetarian restaurant and a record store. all under one rool‘ in a bright. spaciotrs. air} cmiron. As it that weren‘t enough. free entr_v gigs aren't uncommon. and the clientele show their appreciation en masse. >
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producing rock schlock. A galle abilit} to not onl_v silt the wheat l'rom the chall. but also give rise to the best crop ol' l‘uture talent. is as