Glasvegas Open Air Gig in Buchanan Street

Saw on facebook today that some of my friends ended up at a free, short Glasvegas gig today on the steps of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and it seems that it was to celebrate the release of their second album, EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\. Considering how torrential the rain was today, I have to say that it's really impressive that this still went on, so many props to both Glasvegas and the audience (which I hear was pretty massive) who stuck around despite getting soaked.

Things like this are one of the main reasons I love the Glasgow music scene; the attachment to Glasgow and how bands show their love for the place through things like this are always a brilliant treat for the fans, and they never fail to keep us in high spirits. Kind of disappointed that I ended up missing this surprise (for me, at least) gig, so here's hoping that another of its ilk happens in the near future!

EDIT: Here's a video someone recorded of the performance, for those interested:

Alan McKim Picks Up a Surprise Fan

Funny story: during the opening night of the 3rd annual Talinn Music Week (an industry showcase festival), Paisley singer/songwriter Alan McKim, who I've hyped up previously, managed to not only steal the entire packed out show, but also pick up a surprise fan in the form of Toomas Hendrik, the President of Estonia, who was in the audience at the time. After the show was over, the President commented that “The Scottish guy I have to admit was much more interesting than say David Grey, even though the chord progressions were sometimes quite similar. He is an exciting artist none the less.”

I guess this speaks volumes for McKim's talent and popularity, as he managed to impress the entire crowd, and even catch the attention of important figures, which is always a great thing. It makes me wonder what's in store for him in the future, and there's no doubt that he'll continue to get bigger and bigger in the scene, which pleases me greatly. He deserves the recognition he's getting with his skill, afterall.

Acoustoblaster 2011

Just gonna pimp out Glasgowmusic.co.uk again, this time in regards to the Acoustoblaster 2011 Tour. Honestly, considering this is free and features some pretty damn good talent, what reason do you have not to go?

Adam Ficek to Meet Fans in Glasgow

Adam Ficek from Babyshambles is set to make a special in-store live appearance on the afternoon of the 27th before playing his last ever solo gig to a packed Glasgow audience in Pivo Pivo later on that night.

He says that this will be his last solo tour, and that he wanted to give the Scottish fans something bac, which is the reason for the intimate signing / acoustic session at Cruise Jeans, Ingram Street in the afternoon. He said: "The Scottish fans have always been incredible anytime I`ve played up here so it will be good to meet many of them in person and then go on and raise the roof off Pivo Pivo."

Yet another shining example of musicians who truly know how to reward their fans. It seems that Glasgow really knows how to bring out the best in both musicians and fans alike.

MOBO Awards Returning to Glasgow in October

So I just read that the MOBO Awards'll be taking place in Glasgow this year, apparently because the 2009 awards were so successful. STV has some really good info and an informative video to go along with it, so I feel that it'd be more appropriate to just link you there rather than try to write up some quasi-professional blog about it.

It's great to see Glasgow get some more recognition from events like this, because I (and no doubt many others) feel like it definitely deserves it after all the effort that organisers (of gigs and the like), bands and fans alike have put into making it an incredibly music friendly place that can propel both already popular and more niche bands to fame.

Electric Frog 2011

So, The Electric Frog has been announced to return again this Easter. For those of you who don't know what it is, here's a pretty good description of it:

"Electric Frog is Scotland’s premier urban & electronic micro-festival situated within the very heart of Glasgows cutting edge arts and culture scene at the SWG3 creative studios. 2011 will be the third outing for Electric Frog and its programme kicks off festival season with a superlative line-up over the Easter Weekend of the 23/24 April."

This year seems like it'll have some pretty amazing headlines, with appearances from Francois Kevorkian, Danny Krivit, Kode 9, Todd Edwards, MMM, Ivan Smagghe, DJ Yoda, Green Velvet, Erol Alkan, Dave Clarke and Unabombers. There'll also be some really cool support talent around as well, so this seems like it's set to be an incredible experience.

Here's the line up:

Saturday 23rd

EROL ALKAN // DJ YODA // FRANCOIS K & DANNY KRIVIT //
IVAN SMAGGHE // OPTIMO // UNABOMBERS //
MELTING POT DJs // THUNDER DISCO CLUB //

Sunday 24th

J ROCC // GREEN VELVET // DAVE CLARKE // BEN KLOCK //
TODD EDWARDS // MMM (live) // KODE9 // SLAM (live) // L-VIS 1990 //
ELECTRIC ELIMINATORS // ANIMAL FARM //

Definitely looking forward to this, here's hoping I have the money for it!

Beady Eye Live Glasgow Debut

Beady Eye, which includes former Oasis members Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock, made their debut in Glasgow at the Barrowlands. Since I was able to afford it somehow, I dragged some pals along to what ended up being a fantastic night out.

Taking to the stage with the Stone Roses' track 'I Am the Resurrection', it was pretty funny to hear (and join in with) the crowd responding by chanting Liam's name, which he ended up replying with "try f***in' harder!" They ended up playing every song from their debut album 'Different Gear, Still Speeding', apart from Wigwam.

I was surprised to hear that ex-Oasis member Paul Arthurs, who left in 2000, was in the crowd (probably because I was quite intoxicated). Apparently, he told the Daily Record newspaper that "[he] wasn't going to miss this one, Beady Eye's first gig, in Glasgow." which shows that he still has respect for his former band members, which I think is genuinely praiseworthy.

Overall, it was a fantastic night, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone if they end up playing here again.