Can I still cry it Carling?

The Architecture in itself makes the venue interesting...

It was once the New Bedford Cinema, but this music venue, set in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, went through a £3million refurbishment to become the Carling Academy, which opened on March 26, 2003. The Carling Academy's were a chain of music venues across the UK, one of the most famous ones being the Brixton Academy in London.

... as does the decor inside.

Since November 2008, the venue has been taken over and branded as the phone operator o2, now called the o2 Academy. However, I'm sure a lot of people like myself still refer to it as the Carling Academy. I do so as I'm forever getting mixed up between this venue and the ABC in Sauchiehall Street - another o2 venue.

The o2 seems to be the stepping stone for artists, between the likes of small venues like King Tut's and the large arenas such as the SECC, with a capacity of 2,500. These are my favourite kind of venues - small enough to feel intimate, big enough to get lost in. Artists of all genres play here, up and coming concerts include Professor Green, The View and Axwell of Swedish House Mafia.

Tiesto at Carling Academy 2006

King of Concert Halls

Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall certainly has a majestic feel to it as it proudly looks down over Buchanan Street and across the rest of the city.


It has a 2,457 seat auditorium and a number of other smaller halls and suites which have hosted an array of events since its opening in 1990. The venue has become known as one of the more prestigious venues of Glasgow alongside the likes of the SECC.

The venue is very diverse in the concerts it hosts. It is the Glasgow performance base for The Scottish National Orchestra. Although classical music isn't really my thing, I went to see them play at the Royal; Concert Hall, one Christmas time and it was an enchanting experience.


The venue also caters to pop and rock. James played here in 2011. Up and coming events include; Lord of the dance, The Osmonds: up close and personal and the Magic of Motown show - which shows the range of events available at the Royal Concert Hall.

Here's James performing 'Say Something' at the Royal Concert Hall.

The Royal Concert Hall also acts as the focal point for the huge Glasgow music festival, Celtic Connections. The festival has been running since 1994 and celebrates the roots of traditional Scottish music.In 2008, Celtic Connections celebrated its 15th birthday, with festival attendances reaching 120,000 and events taking place across 14 venues throughout Glasgow over 19 days.

For more information on The Royal Concert Hall visit their website.

Welcome to the Wild West Centre of Glasgow

Grand Ole Opry building 1900

If its Country Western your into, then nowhere in the UK does it quite like Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry! The club founded by the late Alex Fleming opened its doors in 1974 and has been putting the "YEHA!" into Glasgow ever since!

The building itself has great history. It has been the sight of a post office, carriage - hirer's, and funeral undertakers during the 1900's. The mortuary below ground level is today used as a storeroom. In 1921 the building was converted into the Imperial picture hall, with one screen and a capacity of 1100 people in the days of black and white film.

Today the club has created a friendly community. Open 7 days a week there' always something on for members and non members alike. Gun Club on a Monday, line dancing lessons on Tuesdays, jive lessons on Wednesdays and bands and club nights, Thursday through to Sunday.

In staying true to its theme, grab a bite to eat at the chuck wagon or get yourself a drink at the saloon bar. And of course, polish your boots and dust off your cowboy hat as many of the clubs guests come in full country western dress.

Check this out, for what's going on at the Grand Ole Opry! Here's a link to a short clip of two die hard Country Western fans enjoying one of their regular nights at the Grand Ole Opry.

VIDEO - A NIGHT AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY!

No stranger to big acts either, here's a clip of Noel Gallagher playing an intimate gig at the Grand Ole Opry on 28 February 2012.

A name we all know - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

Founded by Stuart Clumpass, boss of DF Concerts ( the same guys who do T in the Park ) King Tut's Wah Wah Hut is a live music venue situated in the heart of Glasgow. It opened its doors in February 1990 and has since become a legendary establishment. With a capacity of just 300, the intimate atmosphere of King Tut's has won it many awards, including 'best live venue in the UK' from Radio 1 in 2002.

It has established a reputation for being the place to go, to see big bands before they make it. Biffy Clyro, The Strokes, Coldplay, Blur, The Verve and Travis - then known as Glass Onion - all played at King Tut's during the early stages of their career. However the most famous story of young artists careers blossoming at King Tut's would be that of Oasis. The band were discovered and signed here in 1993.

The venue strongly dedicates itself to nurturing new talent. In 2005 they set up 'Your Sound' which was described by Radio 1 in Scotland DJ, Vic Galloway as ‘a living, breathing myspace’. It allows unsigned acts to develop a fan base, and gain exposure within the music industry by having their recorded material played at a monthly event at the venue as well as receiving advice from industry insiders. King Tut's also has its own record label, which are continually on the look out to sign fresh talent.

NME hailed King Tut's in 2007 as, 'quite possibly the finest small venue in the world.' Radio 1 have named it the best live venue in the UK, 3 years in a row. The venue has been visited by the likes of, The Killers, Bloc Party, Kings of Leon and Stereophonics, before or after their own shows at the city's larger venues.

So whether you play in a band yourself or just enjoy finding out about new music, get yourself to the place every ones been talking about for the past 20 years - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.

Here's a clip where Alan Mcgee recalls the night he discovered Oasis at King Tut's back in 1993.

Coloursfest - Glasgow's answer to Creamfields

Colours are with out a doubt Scotlands top dance music promoters, staging and promoting dance events all over the country and beyond since 1989. Over the past couple of decades they have evolved with the dance music scene, keeping things fresh and the punters and artists alike, interested. They have over the years had residencies in Ayr, Stirling and Edinburgh as well as Glasgow at The Arches, The Tunnel and Archaos. They have also since 2002 held the annual, summer, dance event, Coloursfest.

Since 2002 Coloursfest has annually descended upon the Braehead arena and waterfront, for an evening dedicated to dance. The event is spread across Braeheads main arena and several tents outside, each specified to a different genre of dance music. You'll be dancing around the clock, with the event starting at 5pm and finishing no earlier than 4am - you had better bring your Lucozade!

Judge Jules - Coloursfest

With its sound reputation, Colours have no problem pulling in all the big acts in the dance game to attend. Paul Van Dyke, Paul Oakenfold, Laidback Luke, John O,Callaghan and George Bowie are among the names already announced for this years 2012 Coloursfest. Last year also had a great line-up with the festival celebrating its 10th Anniversary - Ferry Corsten, Eddie Halliwell, Judge Jules and Radio 1 legend Pete Tong were all in attendance.

I went to Coloursfest for the first time last year, having been slightly put off in previous years by the army of neon tutu'd Buckfast swiggers. However, I had a great night and will be going back in June. The atmosphere is great and you can tell everyone is there for the same thing - a good time! The lineups are great as is the location. I can think of worse places to be than down the waterfront of the Clyde on a nice summers night!

For more info and tickets check this out!

Music fae the barras

The charm of the Barrowlands ballroom, is as important to the venue as the acts which play there, its walls filled with as much history as they are music.

Barrowlands 1940

The original building opened in 1934. Tradition has it that the the entrepenuer behind the 'barras' market, Maggie McIver, built the hall to host her annual Christamas party for the markets stall owners. The venue packed in the fox-trotters and tango-turners throughout the 1930's, with American serviceman racily introducing jitterbugging and jiving during the second world war.

Tradgedy hit the Barrowlands in 1958, as Maggie died in June and the premises was gutted by fire in September. However, Maggie's family rebuilt the venue in her memory and the venue was reopened in 1960, intact with the iconic neon sign we all know today.

With the decline of dancehall culture and the increase in pop and rock, the ballroom has evolved into a concert venue. Although it has a modest capacity of 2100, the Barrowlands consistently attracts top name performers.

Quick facts about the Barrowlands

• 1960's serial killer Bible John is beleived to have met his victims at dances in the Barrowlands.
• Simple Minds filmed their 1983 single, Waterfront at the Barrowlands.
• Was voted best UK venue in a Radio 1 poll of 60 bands.

The Barrowlands has a huge catalogue of impressive artists that have graced its dancefloor. Bands who have went on to become superstars have commonly played when they were relativly unknown at the barras. If you fancy a nosy, here is a full list of artists to have played at the venue.

Ed Sheeran's a Sell Out!

However, The Barrowlands probably gains its reputation more from the atmosphere it prohibits than the acts it hosts. The typical enthusiasm of the Scottish crowds, mixed with great sound and just the right amount of intimacy makes for a great venue!

So if you dont mind getting a wee bit sweaty, squeeshed and maybe the odd cup of beer over you in the name of great live music, get yersel doon the barras!  

"That f*ckin SECC..."

... as politely put by our own Glaswegian comedian, Kevin Bridges.

The SECC from my living room.

Glasgow's, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre is the venue playing with the big boys of the music industry, with its largest of 5 halls holding a capacity of 12,500. If its huge, worldwide known artists your looking for, the SECC is the place to go.

Being Scotland's largest conference centre confirms the SECC as the Scottish base on megastars worldwide tours. The AECC in Aberdeen is the only other Scottish venue I regularly see tour dates for large scale artists, meaning the SECC is going to draw crowds from all over south and central Scotland.

The exhibition centre has been open since 1985. However, the Clyde Auditorium, more commonly known as the 'Armadillo' due to its shape, wasn't built until 1997. The Clyde Auditorium also resembles the famous Sydney Oprah House and due to its peculiar shape has become a distinct Glasgow landmark.

You will find all the big names of the music industry who are capable of filling a large capacity venue at the SECC. I myself have seen Kasabian, Kanye West and Coldplay all play here. As well as Boyzone and Westlife in their heyday! In 2012 the SECC is set to host concerts for George Michael, Lionel Richie, JLS, Blink 182, Example, Guns n Roses and the Steps Reunion.

The venue has also seen itself become more well known on a national scale and hosted the prestigious and televised, MOBO awards in both 2009 and 2011. The ceremony had before then only ever been held in London, since it was established in 1995. The awards brought performances from Tinchy Stryder, Dappy, Keri Hilson, David Guetta, Jessie J, Katy B and Jason Derulo to a Glasgow crowd.

If your planning on checking out a gig at the SECC, get you tickets ASAP! Tickets for concerts here are usually a sell out! There are bars and restaurants at the venue, however except to pay over the odds for food and drink...nearly £15 for a couple of drinks is not unheard of! There is plenty of parking should you chose to take your car, if not it is easily accessible by train and bus.

Check out the SECC calendar here for tickets and details.