Latest news with #BarrowlandBallroom
STV News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Unicorn named after iconic landmark unveiled as Commonwealth Games mascot
A unicorn named after an iconic Clydeside landmark has been unveiled as the mascot for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next year. Finnie, the Glaswegian unicorn, was revealed at the top of the city's Finnieston Crane, which is also her namesake, to mark a year to go until the games. The mythical mascot was created with the help of 76 children from 24 schools throughout Glasgow. They decided that Finnie should be a unicorn due to its uniqueness as Scotland's national animal Finnie's horn is inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside Glasgow's Gallery of Modern of Art, as a nod to the city's renowned sense of humour. The silver flashes on her shoes pay homage to the Clyde's shipbuilding history and the unicorn's earring is inspired by Glasgow's coat of arms. Her purple mane is inspired by the bright lights of Games-time venue The Hydro, and the sparkling stars on her arms and nose represent the Barrowland Ballroom. Finnie will also wear a friendship bracelet created by the school children and has adopted a heart-shaped gesture as her signature move. The mascot is due to meet Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Glasgow's Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren. Finnie said: 'I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance. 'I'm here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.' St Patrick's Primary School pupil, Maskeen Bhullar, has been inspired by his part in creating the mascot for the upcoming games. The 11-year-old said: 'It has been an extraordinary experience being part of the Mascot Maker team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. 'The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow I was one year old. I want to be an athlete one day and take part in a future Commonwealth Games. 'Being involved in creating the mascot has inspired me even more to work towards that dream. To me, the mascot represents my city, Glasgow, and stands as a symbol of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It's something I'll always feel proud to have contributed to.' Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty OBE added: 'Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic. 'She'll be at the heart of everything that's exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes. She'll visit communities across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond, and bring them all together next summer. 'It means so much that she comes from the imaginations of Glasgow's young people. They have all been fantastic throughout this process and introducing Finnie to the world is the perfect way to start the countdown to these altogether brilliant Games.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scots showbiz gal Bev Lyons goes pop with viral debut single 'I'm Leaving You'
Scottish showbiz journalist and broadcaster Bev Lyons has spent the last few decades writing about everyone from Bieber to Beyonce and now she's gone viral with her debut single. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bev, who was invited to sing at Glasgow's Pride in the Barrowland ballroom over the weekend, is getting rave reviews for her self-penned song I'm Leaving You, released this week. The Scots writer and broadcaster, whose family in Morningside used to own an Edinburgh music shop in the North Bridge Arcade, began singing properly during the pandemic when she tried to entertain neighbours and friends from her flat balcony. Her love of singing started long before that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bev Lyons performs her debut single I'm Leaving You at Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow She said: 'I've always loved performing and I used to sing at family parties when I was wee but I couldn't look at my audience cause I was too scared. In more recent years I messed around in my bedroom, writing music on GarageBand.' Although Bev has always championed other singers she did once get a chance to perform with one of the UK's biggest pop stars. She explained: 'I won a karaoke competition to be one of Boy George's backing singers at Abbey Road for a re release of Karma Chameleon. It was an amazing experience and I thought that was my 15 minutes of fame.' Being a busy showbiz journalist soon took over and Bev put her singing dreams on the back burner until lockdown when the world of red carpet events and glitzy parties came to an abrupt stop. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bev Lyons already has a successful career as showbiz journalist and broadcaster but has only just released her debut single I'm Leaving You With extra time on her hands she returned to her love of singing taking virtual lessons from renowned vocal coach Robert Wishart. She said: 'I'd been thinking about adding songs to my hosting work and had contacted Robert about that - and over lockdown, I sang on Facebook and tried to entertain my then-bored neighbours with some balcony tunes.' Her online lockdown performances got a huge thumbs up and when life got back to normal after Covid she was asked to appear at live gigs. She said: 'I love being able to sing to bigger audiences. Usually I would perform covers which I really enjoy but I began thinking it would be cool to develop some of my own songs. 'My debut single is a pop song about life after love, inspired by songs by Cher, Miley Cyrus and Gloria Gaynor. It's a real upbeat anthem about hope, strength and survival." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bev Lyons debut single I'm Leaving You is a hit Bev added: 'I wrote it in December and finally went into the recording studio a couple of months ago.' Bev posted up a brief excerpt of her new song on her social media and it's already received acclaim from some of her celebrity followers including Deacon Blue's Lorraine Mackintosh, Bay City Roller Stuart Woody Wood, Showbiz star Ross King, River City's Tom Urie, and Scottish singers May Miller, Jesse Rae and St Phoenix. This weekend Eurovision icon Miriana Conte also told her she loved it after hearing it backstage. Bev said: 'I'm really hoping the song resonates with people and can't wait to see where it ends up. I'm absolutely loving the buzz and excitement just now and to be able to perform it at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom was a dream come true. I have been told I'll get radio play from some stations but I don't believe anything until it happens. As Oasis once said: 'I'll just roll with it.'
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne's ties to Glasgow run deep
Osbourne played 19 songs that evening in the East End; including hits War Pigs, Iron Man, and Crazy Train. He began the set with Bark at the Moon, followed by Suicide Solution, Over the Mountain and Fire in the Sky. The show was originally supposed to be held on 28 June, but was pushed back to late July. Osbourne played the Barrowland Ballroom on 23 July 1988. (Image: Archive) John McConnel posted to the Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow page: 'I was there, and it was my first time seeing Ozzy & a young Zakk, who at the time resembled a certain former Ozzy guitarist. It was great seeing both Ozzy & Geezer share a stage and was an insane night right from the off.' Crawford Roy added: 'I remember it well. It was Zakk's first tour and Geezer drafted in on bass. Ozzy threw bucket after bucket of water into the crowd. We got absolutely drenched.' Bryan Foley recalled: 'I was there, right against the barrier. It was one of my favourite gigs,' while Leonard Hoggan added: 'I was there, but I can't remember why it was re-scheduled. It was a great show. It was my first time seeing Zakk Wylde and it was great to see Geezer Butler in the band too.' Osbourne went on to perform Mr. Crowley, Demon Alcohol, Shot in the Dark, I Don't Know, Flying High Again, and Bloodbath in Paradise. He also entertained the crowd with Guitar Solo, Miracle Man, Sweet Leaf, War Pigs, Tattooed Dancer, Drum Solo, Iron Man, Crazy Train, and Paranoid, which served as the evening's encore. In 1980, Osbourne launched his first album as a solo artist at the Glasgow Apollo, kicking off the Blizzard of Ozz Tour in front of a sold-out crowd on 12 September. The Prince of Darkness returned to Glasgow in December 1982, when he was pictured feeding pigeons in George Square ahead of a gig at the Apollo. Known for his curly locks, Osbourne demonstrated a different style that day, posing with short hair, allegedly out of a desire to reduce demand for his services. And in 1983, Osbourne held a third gig at the Apollo, alongside Glasgow rock band Heavy Pettin'. Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has died, age 76. Speaking about the 1980 gig, Andy Shields posted to the Glasgow Apollo online forum: 'I went to the gig (Ozzy's first gig as Blizzard of Oz). I don't have the ticket but I still have the programme somewhere, and I moved down south not long after and didn't get to many more gigs at the Apollo.' Dee Bomber commented: 'I remember that Brad Gillis was playing guitar on that tour. It was a basic show with little special effects but brilliant none the less, just the band on stage playing music and it was great. 'I have since seen him in the US on bigger stages with all the effects but does not come close to the Apollo gig for atmosphere and crowd participation.' Colin McKee added: 'I have my ticket stub for December 1980. Row GG 30 in the stalls. The crowd was incredible. What a year.' In one of her autobiographies, Sharon Osbourne recalled his first gig as a solo artist. She wrote: 'Glaswegians were said to be the most difficult of any audience in Britain, especially on a Friday night, which this was, when they got paid and got p****d. 'I didn't tell Ozzy - he was nervous enough already, on and off the toilet shaking with stage fright... Before the doors opened they were lining up round the block, and we were all in shock. The show was unbelievable." Read more: Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces MTV EMAs in Glasgow: Slash and Biffy Clyro close awards with rock tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy Osbourne reveals he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease Sharon Osbourne added: "At the end, Ozzy knelt down and kissed the stage. 'Thank you, thank you, I love you, love you," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. And we all cried, the three of us: Ozzy, Randy and me, sobbing with tears of joy, and we could still hear voices from the auditorium calling for more… He had done it." A statement released by his family on Tuesday evening reads: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Barrowland Ballroom to honour unsung hero of Glasgow music
John 'Soapy' Soutar was one of those people. A tireless advocate for the grassroots Scottish music scene, he died of cancer in May. On August 31 his life will be celebrated with a concert at his favourite venue, the Barrowland Ballroom, dubbed 'Soapyfest' with all money raised going to Marie Curie and the Beatson Cancer Charity. Read More: His wife, Susan Soutar, told The Herald on Sunday: "We were together since we were teenagers. We met as bairns, I was 16 and he was 18. "He didn't have a cynical bone in his body, he just exuded enthusiasm, compassion, kindness and fun. "He also had a deep, deep love of music. We were regulars at the Barrowlands, that was our first date and where his funeral was. "Even when we met, one of the things we bonded over was that we'd both been at the same Jesus and Mary Chain gig at the Barrowlands the previous November. "The bands that are playing are bands he wanted to promote at every opportunity. Someone would put up something like 'is anyone around for a video shoot in Glasgow at 2pm today?' and Soapy would go 'yep, I'm there'. 'He just loved being part of things, feeling part of and building a community. "We never – ever, ever, ever – asked to be put on a guest list. We'd always pay for tickets and if there was merch to be had we'd buy that, whether it was a CD, vinyl, t-shirt, or a tote bag. 'We wanted to make sure we gave some money back because we know what it's like, these bands don't make much money and they're doing it for the love of music. John and Susan Soutar (Image: Susan Soutar) 'So many people came to me after he died and said 'he really helped me when I was down on my luck'. He had a knack for spotting when something wasn't quite right and getting in touch to check in with people, just quietly in the background and that showed when we had his funeral. 'He had said himself he wanted his funeral at the Barrowlands and my son and I were going, 'who do you think you are, bloody Michael Jackson?'. "By the time we were really getting to the point where we had to think about it we couldn't work out where we could actually hold it because we knew it was going to be so big. We had to go to Clydebank Crematorium because it was the only one in Glasgow that could cope and it was full to bursting. "I got in touch with Alec (Downie) at the Barrowlands and asked if there was any chance we could have the wake there and they were as wonderful as we've always known them to be. Tom Joyce was an absolute joy to deal with and helped us give him the send-off he deserved." And what would he have thought of Soapyfest? Susan laughs: "He was selfless and very kind but he also had a healthy ego and my God he'd be beyond delighted at the thought of this happening in his honour – he'd be giggling away about it. 'Even being in The Herald, he'd be casting that up to me forever after. 'It's just a shame that sometimes these things happen after people die.' Soapyfest will feature music from Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, The Filthy Tongues, Mickey 9s, Warren Starry Sky, The Girobabies & The Twistettes; all of whom will perform a cover of a song by James, Soapy's favourite band. Phill Jupitus will play songs between acts, Barrowland manager Tom Joyce is waiving the costs associated with putting the show on and Ken McCluskey of The Bluebells will make a special guest appearance to end the night. John 'Soapy' Soutar at Eden Festival (Image: Susan Soutar) Gavin Mitchell, best known for playing Boaby the Barman in Still Game, will compere the event, having had a longstanding friendship with Soapy. He said: "He was just the most amazing guy. I first met him on a video shoot with Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, he had his wee dog Jake with him. 'I didn't know who he was but he cropped up in all sort of places – gigs, video shoots, all the rest of it – and I just thought he was part of the band, which in a way he was. He was a part of so many bands. 'He was nothing but positive, he was always this ray of light even right up to the end. When you went to see John in the hospice he had a mirror ball in his room and had one of the nurses coming in with a mirror ball crash helmet. He was still talking about gigs, still asking about others and not himself – all positive, all optimistic. I loved him very much. "He championed so many people, he was unbelievable – he's an unsung hero to so many. As soon as people were asked it was: 'for John? Absolutely, not a problem'. So it should be a very special night.' It's a measure of what Soapy meant to people that Mr Mitchell is speaking to The Herald on Sunday by phone, sheltering from a Glasgow downpour while walking his dog during a break in filming. At one point he pauses: "Gosh, I'm talking to you just now and there's a guy over the other side of the park wearing a bright yellow jacket and a carrying a rainbow umbrella, which puts me so much in mind of John." Mrs Soutar says: "He was really funny and daft, and he wore brilliant clothes, he had a really unique dress sense. "The photo of him with the rainbow coat, yellow boots and umbrella was a photoshoot for a friend, he was trying to build a portfolio to get into university and was looking for models and Soapy looked out the most eye-catching outfit he could find because it was a really grey day. "He was taking Colin to places and saying 'photograph me there, that will look brilliant, the colours will pop out'. That was him, always ridiculously, effortlessly colourful. 'A friend posted on Facebook in the aftermath of his death and described him as being 'a colour spectrum all of his own', which I thought was a beautiful way to sum him up.' Soapy was an unsung hero of the Scottish grassroots music scene, a superfan who enthusiastically and relentlessly sang the praises of his favourite acts. John McAlinden of Colonel Mustard & The Dijon Five said: "From the word go he was always a massive supporter of Colonel Mustard, the Mickey 9s, the Girobabies and he was a big part of the whole Yellow Movement. 'He and Susan came to pretty much every gig, he tried to get us Christmas number one, he really promoted all the bands without being asked to. 'The very first time I met him was down at Avant Garde on King Street and he was just so flamboyant, wearing this really cool, out there shirt. He was full of life, full of joy, just loved music. "He ran the James fan club and he used to tell all the James fans about the up-and-coming bands in Scotland who weren't household names. "He was the world's greatest fan of James, of the Barrowlands, of Scotland's music scene, and guys like that might normally go unsung and unknown but through this gig his legend will live on." Read more: Jo D'Arc of The Twistettes says: "He and Susan would be at all the gigs, he was just an amazing character. 'He made a lot of things happen as well, he sponsored a stage at Mugstock Festival, he supported the bands and the scene and just always brought positivity. "Certain people, and Soapy was one of them, create a sense of community around them and he did that wherever he went, that was just the kind of person he was. 'He gathered people, made them feel welcome, and those kind of people are integral to anything in life but especially within the underground music scene that's so important – having someone who goes: 'this thing is really good, come and watch it'. 'He would tell people about the gigs, buy records, put on events – it's great to be able to celebrate him at the greatest venue in the world." In the final days of his life, Soapy was inducted into the Barrowland Hall of Fame, memorialising him with the likes of The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Franz Ferdinand and Biffy Clyro. Susan says: "Billy (Coyle) and Gavin came to the hospice when he was very, very poorly and brought him his Barrowlands Hall of Fame trophy. 'When the cancer came back it was in his brain so toward the end he wasn't always communicating in the way he would have done, so when they came in he was in mid-flow talking to me and he just carried on as if they weren't there. 'I felt really bad, as if he hadn't noticed, but he never shut up about it thereafter, he was so chuffed." Soapy will also be immortalised on one of the famous stars on the ceiling of the venue so, as Gavin Mitchell puts it, he'll never miss a gig again. His wife says: "That, for him, is the greatest prize you could get – up there with David Bowie? That'll do!' Tickets for Soapyfest are £25, with all money raised going to Marie Curie and The Beatson. They can be purchased here.
Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Fratellis announce Glasgow gig at O2 Academy next year
The Glasgow trio confirmed they will return to their hometown next year, performing at the O2 Academy on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as part of their 'Celebrating 20 Years of Costello Music' tour. The tour was originally announced in May, but notably did not include a Scottish date, sparking disappointment among fans. (Image: The Fratellis, David Eustace) READ MORE: American music legend announces exciting Glasgow gig The band later teased their followers with a cheeky social media post that read: 'No Scotland, no party.' However, when the Glasgow date was officially announced this morning, fans were quick to voice their displeasure, pointing out that a single show on a Thursday night fell far short of expectations. One fan wrote: 'Seriously, only one Scottish date?' Another added: 'You made us wait for one date?! Has to be more Scottish dates to come, surely.' The sentiment was echoed across social media, with fans branding the announcement 'disappointing" and even going as far as saying the band should 'hang their heads in shame.' READ MORE: US pop sensation spotted 'exploring' Glasgow ahead of gig Criticism also extended to the choice of venue, with several fans expressing disappointment that the gig was not booked at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom. One user commented: 'One Scottish date and not the Barrowlands!!' Another wrote: "One Scotland date? O2 academy of all places?!" Others were frustrated by the timing, writing: 'On Thursday night? What use is that… We are the party!' Another chimed in: "We waited two months for one date, on a Thursday night, at the O2 Academy!?" Despite the backlash, tickets are expected to sell quickly. Presale opens at 10am on Wednesday, July 17, with general sale beginning at 10am on Thursday, July 18. (Image: The Fratellis, David Eustace) READ MORE: Legendary indie rock band announces Glasgow Hydro gig The tour celebrates two decades since the release of The Fratellis' debut album Costello Music, which featured indie anthems such as Henrietta, Whistle for the Choir, and the ever-popular Chelsea Dagger. The band, which burst onto the scene in 2006, have played a string of major festivals this summer, including Glastonbury, and will kick off their UK-wide tour early next year. While some fans are still holding out hope for additional Scottish dates, there's been no official word from the band, leaving many to ask whether one night in Glasgow is truly enough for a homecoming celebration.
