GLASGOW 2014 CITY GUIDE
LIVE MUSIC The best places to experience pop, indie and classical sounds
BARROWLAND BALLROOM 244 Gallowgate, East End, G4 0TT, 0141 552 4601, glasgow-barrowland.com Don’t let the garish neon sign fool you – the Barrlowlands is not a cheesy casino but rather one of Glasgow’s leading music venues. The former 1960s dancehall with its sprung floors and ace acoustics provides a backdrop for some of the biggest acts, including upcoming gigs from The Libertines, Jesus & Mary Chain and The Specials.
GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL 2 Sauchiehall Street, City Centre, G2 3NY, 0141 353 8000, glasgowconcerthalls.com Located at the meeting point of two of Glasgow’s busiest streets, the Royal Concert Hall is home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and offers a diverse programme of classical concerts and musical theatre, as well as being the main venue for popular annual music festival Celtic Connections.
KING TUT’S WAH WAH HUT 272a St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5RL, 0141 221 5279, kingtuts. co.uk Many a famous foot has walked the
hallowed halls of King Tut’s – from Franz Ferdinand to Coldplay to the Breeders – with the names of the most notable literally inscribed into its architecture. Hosting local up-and-comers, hotly tipped indie acts and established international bands most nights of the week, it continues to be Glasgow’s small rock venue of note.
NICE ’N’ SLEAZY 421 Sauchiehall Street, City Centre, G2 3LG, 0141 333 0900, nicensleazy.com With almost 25 years in the business of entertaining the discerning music lovers of Glasgow, this bar has successfully (if not quietly) been going about its business. In the affectionately named Sleazy’s,
COMMONWEALTH GAMES ACTIVITIES Various venues, Wed 23 July–Sun 3 Aug
With music, theatre, art, dance and more all crammed into Glasgow’s Commonwealth cultural celebrations, it’s tempting to sit back, observe and absorb as a passive spectator. But get out there and get involved as an active participant, and you’ll be sure to have a far more memorable experience. It’s not as if there’s any lack of choice – for all talents, and all ages. Even if you’ve never sung before, you’ll
be welcome at the Big Big BIG Sing at Glasgow Green Live Zone on Sun 27 July. It’s a full-day event, from 8am to 9pm, and the culmination of a UK-wide singing project throughout 2014, with sessions teaching different singing styles (from Gaelic to Indian to beatboxing), hits from the musicals, and a grand get- everyone-involved singalong of popular classics and Commonwealth songs.
For any budding dancers – again, previous experience not expected – Get Scotland Dancing has three days
of free performances, workshops and throw-yourself-in ceilidhs on Fri 1 to Sun 3 August at Merchant Square. And for the ceilidh to end all ceilidhs, head to Glasgow Green on Sun 3 August for a huge celebration in the run-up to the Games’ closing ceremony.
For something a little less boisterous, The Shed, also on Glasgow Green, will put you in the capable hands of Scottish makers and designers and allow you to get involved in jewellery-making, printing, painting and upcycling discarded treasures, and you’re invited to lose yourself in Laberint II, a maze of coloured walls and crossroads that takes over South Brunswick Street from Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 July (pictured).
Kids can sing, dance, paint and upcycle too, of course, but they’ve got their own zone near The People’s
Palace, called The Wee House, from Sat 26 July to Sun 3 August, with immersive theatre (fancy getting swallowed by a whale?), circus, storytelling and even a show in an ice-cream van. And taking the celebrations back to their sporting roots, the Back Garden at Glasgow Green Live Zone allows youngsters to try out everything from judo to hockey, as well as getting their speed and accuracy scientifically tested. (David Kettle) ■ See glasgow2014.com
36 THE LIST 10 Jul–21 Aug 2014
upstairs is for thinking while downstairs is for dancing to a range of live bands, DJs and other esoteric happenings.
THE SSE HYDRO Exhibition Way, West End, G3 8YW, 0141 248 3000, www.thehydro.com The latest mega venue to open in Glasgow, the Hydro sits impressively like an invading alien spacecraft next to the old SECC and Armadillo. A range of entertainments cover kids shows, sports events, comedy and upcoming gigs from music’s biggest names such as Madness, Kylie Minogue, Jack White and Robbie Williams.
MARKETS
From vintage crafts to seasonal foods, our selection of Glasgow’s alternative shopping locations
BLOCHAIRN CAR BOOT SALE 130 Blochairn Road, G21 2DU, 0141 287 2500, citypropertyglasgow.co.uk/ markets For car boot sale lovers, this is Scotland’s biggest, taking place every Sunday within the wholesale markets complex on Blochairn Road. It’s no place for the feeble, with up to 500 sellers and 15,000 visitors each week – get there early (real early, say 6am) to grab the bargains.
GLASGOW FARMERS’ MARKET • 1st and 3rd Saturdays: Queens Park, Southside, G42 9QL • 2nd and 4th Saturdays: Mansfield Park, Hyndland Street, West End, G11 5QE 0141 287 2500, citypropertyglasgow.co.uk/ city-property-markets/farmers- markets This market brings the taste of rural Scotland to the city. With up to 40 producers assembling, there’s also Scottish music, take-away food stalls and face-painting for kids. From Lanarkshire meats, free-range eggs and local organic bread to Galloway beef, ice cream and more, food lovers will find plenty to fill them up.
LITTLE BIRDS MARKET Sloans, 62 Argyll Arcade, City Centre, G2 8BG, 0141 221 8886 Taking place on the second Sunday of every month, this market has a tantalising selection of vintage, craft and design vendors – including clothes, jewellery, handmade, up-cycled furniture, accessories, homewares, food, cakes, millinery, stationery, art and lots more.