Clubs and Indie

Interview: Friendly Fires plan to get the crowds dancing at RockNess 2012

Ed Macfarlane on festivals, pop music and dancing ‘like an idiot’

28 May 2012

Friendly Fires blur the lines between indie and dance music, so their brand of punk funk should fit in perfectly at RockNess. Hailing from St Albans in Hertfordshire they were nominated for the Mercury Music prize for their debut eponymous album, which…

Interview: Ash get ready for RockNess 2012

Northern Irish rockers Ash get ready for their only Scottish festival of the year

24 May 2012

Famous for the instantly catchy pop rock of tracks like ‘Kung Fu’, ‘Burn Baby Burn’ and ‘Girl From Mars’ Ash formed as teenagers in Northern Ireland back in 1992. Juggling homework with gigs and recording sessions they released the instant smash 1977 in…

New Edinburgh venue The Third Door launches mini-festival Qabalala

26 Mar 2012

In the past month it’s seemed there’s been precious little to get excited about on Edinburgh’s clubbing and live scene, but let’s put the hand-wringing to one side for a few paragraphs and remember that people are still out there trying to get things…

The Twilight Sad to play final Pinup Nights

Malcolm Middleton, Miaoux Miaoux, Emma Pollock and Sonny Marvello also set to say farewell

21 Mar 2012

Has there ever been an indie night that’s worked as hard as Pinup Nights? Perhaps, but none have managed to alchemise the same mix of cannily chosen guest DJs, intelligently-curated young bands, painstaking theme nights and frankly dedicated gimmickry…

Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon?

25 Oct 2011

Ever explored a museum at night? Ever had a cocktail surrounded by thousands of years of history? Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon? Thanks to the support of RBS and The List, the National Museum of Scotland is bringing you an exclusive…

Cabaret Voltaire venue launches Cab Vol Stars clubnight

New club helmed by Cab Vol employees from bar staff to cleaners

29 Jun 2011

Residents A rolling selection of Cabaret Voltaire employees from bar staff to cleaners Guests It will be a different line-up every month but as an example Prof, Dimi and Cunnie host this July date Music policy It really is a mixed bag, from…

Laidback Luke, Derrick Carter, Andrew Weatherall, Beardyman, Nero and many more join 2011’s RockNess line-up

7 Apr 2011

Tons and tons of new names have been announced for this year’s RockNess. Laidback Luke, The Japanese Popstars, The Boxer Rebellion, Morning Parade, Twilight Sad, Nero, Skrillex, Beardyman, Sub Focus (live), Sons & Daughters, Broken Records, Chapel Club…

Glasgow club institution Divine reaches 20th birthday

The Retro perspective from Glasgow’s longest running club night

17 Feb 2011

‘Twenty years ago I was a student at the Art School,’ recalls Andrew ‘Divine’ Symington. ‘One day a newsletter went round all the departments saying that the students’ union was looking for a DJ. I’d run a few clubs and I could design posters, so I…

Glasgow psych-rock night Eyes Wide Open set for successful 2011

Sixth year strong for freakbeat night at Blackfriars

11 Jan 2011

‘This night will be our New Year celebration take two,’ says Holly Calder, promoter of Glasgow psych-rock-freakbeat night Eyes Wide Open. ‘Our friends are going to be scattered around all over at Hogmanay, so this will be a nice way to bring everyone…

Vintage Violence - new Edinburgh club from the makers of FAST

Glam Rock with a twist

30 Nov 2010

‘It’s pretty rock’n’roll,’ says promoter Chris FAST, discussing the spirit of his semi-regular club night at Edinburgh College of Art’s Wee Red Bar. That should come as no surprise – Chris’ old club FAST was among the very best nights in Edinburgh for a…

A Splash One Happening resurrects influential Glasgow indie club

How cult Glasgow indie club Splash One hosted Sonic Youth, Primal Scream and Wire

6 Oct 2010

Track back over the last decade or so, and the Scottish clubs which have truly captured their times are still familiar names to most: Optimo, Manga, Pure, etc. Yet head back two and a half decades, and the scene is like a foreign country. Still, anyone…

Super Furry Animals' Bunf set for Modern Lovers

24 Jun 2010

If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Such is the philosophy of Modern Lovers, which continues to offer funk, northern soul and 60s beat at the GRV in Edinburgh and the Flying Duck in Glasgow with unabashed enthusiasm for the music of the good ol’ days. Every…

American Men set for Cry Parrot night

23 Jun 2010

Claude Speeed, guitarist and synth player in Scots ‘Miami-laser-rockers’ American Men is back where it all started for his band: on the beach in Barcelona, trying to decide if he’s fit for the Numbers party at Sonar that evening. ‘It’s lovely here,’ he…

Schnapps, Jakil and Little Eskimos among highlights Leith Festival's Batter of the Bands

10 Jun 2010

David Pollock takes a look at some Leith Festival highlights, including Leith Records’ chip shop-based music competition, Batter of the Bands

Killer Kitch Street Party

18 May 2010

Although not exactly over-endowed with good quality, alternative midweek club nights, Glasgow has at least one star operating on Tuesdays, the Buff Club’s Killer Kitsch. ‘When we started,’ says co-founder, promoter and resident DJ Euan Neilson, ‘the…

Bamboo Season of Sound

28 Apr 2010

They’ve had indie stars and DJs aplenty, and now Bamboo’s Season of Sound welcomes Nick Grimshaw’s first Glasgow DJ appearance. Radio 1 host, T4 presenter and Annie Mac cohort on The Switch, expect future pop, indie rock and electro nuggets. Bamboo…

Born To Be Wide - Wide Days

1 Apr 2010

It's business time! Scottish music scene-nurturing organisation Born To Be Wide has another fantastic event planned, with a line up of acts equally as impressive as the industry figures sharing their music industry knowhow. Seminars and showcases have…

High Tease & Vegas!

4 Dec 2009

Another classy team-up from two of Scotland’s most glamorous events, which offers something for boys, girls and all of Glasgow’s most stylish performers. First, High Tease presents a host of burlesque performers, including Des O’Connor, Jonny Woo, Gypsy…

Hitlist: Clubs

The best nights out this fortnight

15 Oct 2009

Definition, Soul Weekender, Men & Machines, Fortified, Pinup Nights, Come and Playdate, Kreep vs Bleep, Spectrum, Vegas

Modern Lovers

Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite performs the DJing honours at this psych-rock night

15 Oct 2009

If you are looking for a mix of psych-rock, garage funk, sonic rock’n’roll and Motown classics that has a retro soundtrack but isn’t stuck in the past Modern Lovers is the perfect prescription. This fortnight expect an even heavier, darker version of…

Hitlist: Clubs

2 Oct 2009

Devil Disco Club, Mudhoney, Pulse, Telefunken, Sensu is 5, The B^stard Dancehall, Pest Control Records, Mount Heart Attack, Death Disco, Numbers, Ultragroove

Adventures in Sound and Beat Control

Exploring the best new nights in town

1 Oct 2009

Residents Andy Wilson takes charge at Adventures in Sound while the Evol DJs (Keiron Mellotte and DJ Skoda) take care of Beat Control. Guests None confirmed as yet with the residents on hand every week, but don’t be surprised by the odd DJ set from…

Hitlist: Clubs

17 Sep 2009

Cabaret Voltaire’s Alternative Freshers Week, Kinky Afro, Motherfunk, Pinup Nights, Weak at the Knees, Numbers & Fortified, Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club, Compact Disco, Streetrave 20th Birthday Party

Cabaret Voltaire’s Alternative Freshers Week

17 Sep 2009

So you’re a new student in the fair town of Edinburgh and not quite sure what club nights are worth going to. Well fear not young fresher, Cabaret Voltaire has assembled all their best nights for a full week of house, drum & bass, indie, electro and…

Fresher's week club nights

An evening's entertainment for student sorts

3 Sep 2009

Although Edinburghers might not notice it quite so much thanks to their fancy festival throughout the month of August, the clubbing scene does tend to go into a state of semi-hibernation over the summer. And there’s one over-riding reason you just can’t…

The Psychedelic Ballroom

Introducing the best new club nights in town.

3 Sep 2009

Residents: Glasgow band The Balladeers: Jackson Scott (guitar and vocals), Gav Troon (bass), Ruaraidh Macleod (drums) and Sean Fitzharris (keyboards, violin). They’ll be playing a set and DJing afterwards. Guests: For this debut night it’s…

Hitlist: Clubs

Where to go and what to dance to this week

20 Aug 2009

David Holmes, Modern Lovers, Elextric Frog Street Carnival, Million Dollar Disco, Club For Heroes, Eyes Wide Open, Tokyoblu, Melting Pot, Second CIty

Wire

6 Aug 2009

‘Discotronic pop, art punk, twisted folk, electronic love and beyond,’ promises promoter/resident DJ Craig Jamieson at Wire. ‘Scotland’s most eclectic soundclash celebrates the best in innovative and cult music.’ Jamieson will be happily living up to…

Clubs Hit List - Glasgow

30 Jul 2009

Edinburgh too busy for you? Here's our pick of the best nights to be had out in Glasgow

Superfly

9 Jul 2009

Although the 100th month of a club night is a strange anniversary to be celebrating, it isn’t the only reason we’re recommending broad-minded soul, funk, classic rock and indie night Superfly this time round. This edition is also the last Superfly to be…

Mad Decent records

14 May 2009

‘We look for people who are trying different things,’ says Jasper Goggins, New York-based manager of the Mad Decent label, ‘and who aren’t afraid to be a bit experimental with their sound. But more than that everyone on the label is friends, there’s…

RPZ: Tru playerz

16 Apr 2009

While gifted resident DJs form the backbone of all of Glasgow’s most successful clubs, the majority of the city’s club nights operate as a platform for talent from elsewhere. Although there are other notable exceptions to this rule, few clubs have been…

The best new nights in town. This month: Confusion Is Sex

16 Apr 2009

Residents Not so much a resident as a ‘creator’; Gamma Ray, former promoter of the Bongo’s Hobo, has brought this new monthly event together. Guests A live show from Berlin-based electro-punks Noblesse Oblige, a headline DJ appearance from Glasgow’s…

Hobo

11 Dec 2008

Hobo has been livening up Sundays at the Bongo with an eclectic brew of indie, electro and other quirky live goodies for a while now and for their Christmas party they’re pulling out all the stops with special guest Thomas Truax (pictured) and a full…

O holy night: Christmas clubbing 2008

13 Nov 2008

It’s dark in the mornings, so why not live nocturnally? As DJs get into training for Hogmanay – the biggest night in the clubbing calendar – Jasper Hamill and Kirstin Innes round up the best-lookin’ Christmas parties Glasgow A merry little…

Ready for the festive floor: Hot Chip interview

13 Nov 2008

What are your favourite Christmas hits? My favourite is the Phil Spector Christmas album, which I think is wonderful and romantic. Of course, there are also the classics, like ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and ‘I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus’, which is about…

Hitlist-Clubs

13 Nov 2008

● Cathouse 18th Birthday Weekender Bands, DJs and much more help celebrate Glasgow’s finest rock club. Cathouse, Glasgow, Fri 14 & Sat 15 Nov. ● Fantasylands Twelve hours of rave, trance and hardcore, with headliner Ferry Corsten. Royal Highland…

Student guide: Clubbing hitlist - Glasgow

15 Sep 2008

David Pollock selects the top ten club nights you cannot afford to miss. OPTIMO Riding the crest of a wave for the best part of a decade now, JD Twitch and JG Wilkes’ Optimo (Espacio), which borrows the aesthetic of early 80s New York nightlife and…

Student guide: Clubbing hitlist - Edinburgh

15 Sep 2008

David Pollock selects the top ten club nights you cannot afford to miss. Residents Hobbes and Erik D’Viking DJ all over town, but the eclectic party night Trouble is still their biggest deal. Diversity is key; since the start of 2007, Rob Da Bank…

Fast punk club

4 Sep 2008

‘We call it a punk night,’ says Christopher Fast, ‘but it’s more about a punk attitude to music. From rockabilly, 60s soul, garage and hip hop to disco and electro, we set out to make different genres work together in an interesting way.’ For five…

National Pop League

17 Jul 2008

‘The Woodside’s such a strange place,’ says John Hunt, promoter of the soon-to-be-no-more National Pop League, of the venue which has housed his indie club for seven years. ‘There’s no air conditioning, and it’s so hot that, at about one o’clock in the…

Introducing . . .

The best new nights in town, this month: Club Anti

12 Mar 2007

Residents John Goucher, Craig Harper and Sean Clinton.

Club Olum

Meeting of minds

19 Dec 2006

Club Olum is the brainchild of live music promoter and label owner Peter Rooney and one of Glasgow’s most diverse and cutting edge DJs and Deathkill4000’s Marc Lawson AKA Dirty Marc. It’s a partnership made in heaven when you consider the format of…

Hot chip interview

Salt & sauce

6 Dec 2006

Optimo at New Year is always a safe bet, securing some of the most interesting acts on the circuit, and this year is no exception. Not only will Twitch and Wilkes be manning the decks, with a bit of help from Death Disco’s Mingo-Go with ‘spoken…

I Fly Spitfires

Barfly, Glasgow, Sat 9 Sep & Sat 16 Sep; Cabaret V

1 Sep 2006

I Fly Spitfires, indie at Glasgow's Barfly and Edinburgh's Cabaret Voltaire