The List’s Hot 100 celebrates the people who have made the biggest impact on cultural life in Scotland over the past 12 months. Nick Barley explains how this
year’s selection was made.
can admit it now: I was a fool to set tip the Hot l()(). When you think of the broad
spectrum of cultural activities that we cover
in The List. from film and music through to eating out. shopping and occasionally sport. it’s
clear that the number of potential candidates for inclusion probably numbers in the tens of
thousands. So how on earth are we to select the 100 who have made a greater impact on cultural life than anyone else‘.’ I don't know what I was thinking of — especially when I think of all the creative people who are struggling away for success without proper recognition for what they do: without the funds to hire a PR person to win them column inches. It‘s a crazy notion to try to make sure that each sector is fairly represented: to be certain that we‘ve included everything from popular hits to critical successes.
Despite the flaws in the idea of making this list. I still believe very passionately that it is a good thing to do. I‘ve been looking back over the same issues from the past four years. and they add up to a very accurate historical record of cultural life in Scotland — a fantastic advertisement for the quality of what surrounds us.
Sadly for me. this is the last time I‘ll be editing a Hot 100 issue (I leave to take up a new job in January). but I am pleased to say that I leave the most complex scoring system ever invented. designed to add an unimpeachable scientific accuracy to the dark art that is the judging process of any such list. It blends the expert views of our judges (the magazine‘s section editors) with a score for what critics said across other media. and what you the punters said in our Reader Poll (see page 128 for more). All told. it‘s very complicated and very. very accurate.
Most importantly. we‘ve made sure that this year‘s centurions include more behind—the- scenes wiinderkinds than ever before. So. as this list constitutes my farewell to a magazine which passionately wants to promote all that is great in our cultural lives. I dedicate it to Janet McBain (number 7-1). curator of the Scottish Screen Archive. who works tirelessly to preserve this country‘s amazing cinematic history. Her presence in these pages stands for the thousands of people who work stupidly long hours to make the very notion of ‘llot l()()’ cultural superstars possible. Maybe that's not such a foolish idea after all.
Liam Brennan (-)
V STAGE ACTOR Brennan capped another great year With his performance in Tom Fool as an intense man on a path of psychological self obliteration. this followed a splendid Ba ssanio in flit} Merchant of Venice at the Royal Lyceum. and the CATS award for best actor earlier this year for his performance in Tales from Hollywood at Perth theatre. A gifted. brilliantly detailed actor. With a superb technique. Brennan is an ornament to Scottish theatre. (SC)
Popupt) 4 INDIE BAND
lo be fair there were a Whole bunch of
bands who could have filled this slot -- sorry l'he Aliens. [)anaiiananaykroytl. Mendeed. frightened Rabbit. We Are the Physics and 1990s. maybe next year » but for consistency. littlSKiétl charm and a way With a narrative lyric not seen since Aidan Moffat's tales from the deep. they deserve the plaudits. from the moment we heard a demo of ‘Skidmarks' so many moons ago more was a feeling this band were going to be special. lhey are. (MR)
Vic Galloway (84)
V DJ, TV PRESENTER AND COLUMNIST While his sonorous tones are well kent around these parts. whether as l is! columnist. or giVing us respite from Zane Lowe's psychobabble on Radio 1. his enthusiasm makes Galloway such a breath of fresh air in a critical landscape that can too often be depressineg cynical. llllS year he stepped up his game With a second slot for Radio Scotland ‘ a more mainstream, l i'iday.
(ll'lVO‘lllllO gig and co hosting the BBC's Hit) Music Show With Shantha Roberts (a dead cert for next years Hot 100). If only there were more like him. (MR)
Mono (-)
A VENUE/CAFE/ RECORD SHOP Where else can you enjoy top drawer vegan cuisine. get jaked on foreign lager. spend a fortune on obscme imported r'in singles then rock out to some fine local and international live talent. all under one roof? In a year where sister venue Stereo sadly closed. Mono remained the epitome of Glasgow boho cool. (MJ)
Tony Cownie (-)
THEATRE DIRECTOR Cownie faced probably the toughest lob a director had to contend With this year in the sprawling narrative and many short scenes of Tutti Frutfr. and made a triumph of the compIeXities within the text's many beauties. Add this to a distinguished lartuffe and it's been a great year for the director. who has surer now established his credentials as one of Scotland's leading directors. Add to this his ability as an actor, and you have a great all rounder. (SC)
Ashley Iensen (27)
A TV ACTOR l’he lassie from Dumfries and Galloway started the year alongside ’atrick Stewart in the science—based drama llie Eleventh Hour but was back where she belonged beside Bowre in the second series of Ext/as. like her mentor (Servais. she has new hit America With a role in hit comedy Ugly Betty. (Rf)i
Roddy Woomble (89)
SINGER laking a brief sabbatical from IdIeWiId. Woomble delivered a lyrical folk album. collaborating With Kate Rusby and Karine Polwart along the way. He was also the (laying force behind Ballads of the Book. a protect involvnig Scotland's leading literature and indie names. due for release next year. (DJ)
1-2 Dec Rtltlti ‘1 (Jan k’tltli' THE LIST 17