Latest news with #KingTut
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
King Tut's Summer Nights Festival to return this summer
King Tut's Summer Nights Festival will be back in partnership with Coors, bringing more than 100 artists to the stage. Billed as the 'city's hottest place to find the next big act,' the festival has a strong track record of spotlighting future stars – with past performers including Lewis Capaldi, The Snuts, Joesef, and Katie Gregson-Macleod. The 2025 line-up features a diverse mix of genres, from indie rock to punk, country to alternative. READ MORE: Legendary artist to play Glasgow as 2-for-1 tickets go on sale Acts include Ample House, punk outfit Dirty Faces, and Nashville-based country artist Jordan Harvey. The festival kicks off on July 17 with a performance from American rock band Alcatraz, and runs right through to August 30, when alternative rock trio Anchor Lane will close out the summer-long celebration. Meg Denholm, booker of King Tut's Summer Nights, said: "Summer Nights is about celebrating new music and emerging artists. "This festival is more than a series of gigs. "It's a chance for fans, friends, and first-timers to come together, have a pint, and discover their new favourite artists. READ MORE: Ex-STV presenter stuns in red as she wins prestigious beauty crown "We're delighted to be back with another incredible lineup of outstanding talent." Tickets for the festival are now on sale. The popular Golden Ticket is also returning – a £60 ticket which gives a limited number of fans access to all 27 shows. More information about the festival line-up, including how to purchase tickets, can be found on the King Tut's website.
Glasgow Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
TRNSMT announces James Bay set amid calls to axe Kneecap
James Bay, known for hits including Hold Back the River, will perform on Friday, July 11 as the festival welcomes him back as a "special guest". In a post shared on Facebook, a spokesperson said: "We're excited to announce James Bay returns to Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT on Friday, July 11. "We can't wait to welcome him back as a special guest on the Main Stage." READ NEXT: Kneecap performance at TRNSMT would need 'significant policing operation' (Image: Image: James Bay) Irish rap trio Kneecap are also set to perform on the King Tut's stage on the festival's opening night, however, there have been calls to axe their set. First Minister John Swinney previously said they should be pulled from the line-up, saying the band had "crossed the line" with comments allegedly backing Hamas and calling for the death of MPs, saying it would be "unacceptable" for them to perform. Green cllr Jon Molyneux said calls to ban the group should be resisted, saying the Belfast band is being targeted in a smear campaign because it has been outspoken on the war in Gaza and showed support for the Palestinian people. READ NEXT: Calls for Kneecap to be axed from TRNSMT 2025 over 'kill your local MP' comments (Image: PA) We previously reported Police Scotland have said allowing Kneecap to perform at the Glasgow Green event would need "a significant policing operation". It comes after a member of the group was charged with a terror offence. Liam O'Hanna, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north-west London, on November 21 last year, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Herald Scotland
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Does Glasgow face losing reputation for having best crowds at gigs?
Once upon a time it's a question you would never have thought to ask. Not if you were even halfway versed in the city's rock and roll lore. After all this is the home of the storied Apollo, the Renfield Street venue with the famous bouncing balcony, a place so loved by touring rock bands that many chose to record their live albums there. Status Quo were one. Their three-night residency in October 1976 became the double platinum-selling album Live!, regarded by some critics as one of the best of its kind ever. Two years later AC/DC's entire set was filmed as they opened their Powerage tour at the Apollo. The audio of that gig became If You Want Blood You've Got It, another iconic live album. King Crimson, Rush and Roxy Music all recorded live albums at the Apollo while punk legends The Ramones said it was their favourite venue. Like, ever. I never made it to the Apollo but I've been to gigs at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and on Glasgow Green. I've been to Barrowland and the SECC. I've been to lots of other Glasgow venues in between, small and large, and have generally found them bouncing. I have also interviewed plenty of musicians over the years who speak warmly and honestly about the Glasgow crowds, so I have some (albeit second-hand) insight into how things look from the stage. Or how it did look, once upon a time. So why the doubts now? Could be a blip, but in a recent review of a gig at Barrowland by 1990s Britpop act Supergrass, The Herald's Gabriel McKay was none too impressed by the audience. 'The legendary Barras crowd hasn't brought its A-game,' he wrote. 'Save for some game younger fans, resplendent in Adidas tracksuits down the front, it's mostly pint-supping, head-nodding and, most egregiously of all, chatting.' Chatting? Surely not. I did encounter something similar at a Coldplay gig - many years ago – but that was in Edinburgh. Supergrass at the Barrowlands - where the crowd spent too long chatting, according to our reviewer (Image: free) In truth, I don't think this diminution in atmosphere at Glasgow gigs is a one off. If you've been to a big concert recently, I dare say you will agree. More and more heritage rock acts are pulling on the compression socks and taking to the road, so it follows that the gig-going demographic is shifting accordingly and that is going to have an effect. This week, for instance, Dinosaur Jr played Barrowland on a 30th anniversary tour. Next month it's Leftfield on their 35th anniversary tour. A week on it's The Waterboys. In August it's Nile Rodgers and Chic. In October The Boomtown Rats hit Barrowland to celebrate 50 years in, er, show-business. Factor in ticket prices which can easily hit £50 (plus booking fee, in my opinion as egregious an imposition as chatting is an offence) and you can see why the churning, roiling, free-wheeling Glasgow crowds of old might have less va-va-voom than in decades gone by. That's not to say there aren't underground venues where the sweat drips off the ceiling and the noise from the audience is thunderous. But increasingly it's the grey hairs who are turning out to populate the live music landscape in the city. What they want is nostalgia, value for money – and nobody jostling them as they film their favourite bits for their social media feeds. Or their grand-kids. Still, even if I'm right perhaps there is yet time for redress. In July Glasgow Green hosts the TRNSMT festival and at the time of writing raucous rap phenomenon Kneecap are still on the bill. That will be one to see. So go on, Glasgow – show them why maybe you do still have the best audiences in the world. Read more Numbers game It's rare – actually make that never-happened-before-in-the-history-of-audience-ratings – for the BBC to talk down the digits where viewership is concerned. Any massaging of the figures is usually aimed at inflation rather than the opposite. But following the cancellation of BBC Scotland soap River City there has been quite the kerfuffle, and the BBC finds itself having to rebut the claim by acting union Equity that half a million people regularly watch the show. Not so, says the Beeb. It's less than half that. To say otherwise is to spread 'mistruths'. Neutral observers will, you know, observe that the BBC should have the correct figures. They may also note that a figure of 500,000 does seem on the high side. EastEnders, networked to a potential domestic audience over 10 times that of River City, only pulls in around 3.2 million viewers. On the other hand, those in Team River City will claim that it suits the organisation's narrative for audience ratings to be on the slide. As union and broadcaster square up, it looks as if this one will run and run. Unlike River City. Read more And finally The Herald critics have been sharpening their pens ahead of festival season, which activity has taken theatre critic Neil Cooper to Edinburgh's Festival Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre as well as to Pitlochry Festival Theatre. In that last venue he watched Water Colour, the debut play by Millie Sweeney, winner of the St Andrews Playwriting Award, while in Edinburgh he saw The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe and Keli. The first is a touring production of Sally Cookson's 2017 adaptation of the much-loved novel, first staged at Leeds Playhouse. The second is a crowd-pleasing new work by Martin Green, better known as accordionist with Scottish traditional music supergroup Lau. Meanwhile dance critic Mary Brennan continues her survey of the best that Dance International Glasgow has to offer at Tramway, while music critic Keith Bruce was in attendance at the City Halls in Glasgow to hear Nicola Benedetti perform work by Brahms and Greig at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's season finale. Finally Teddy Jamieson tore himself away from Eurovision to see Daryl Hall at the Armadillo in Glasgow. Definitely no mosh pit at that one. Read our reviews here Review: I went to new V&A gardens show and was intrigued by what I saw
Glasgow Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Meet Glasgow singer inspired by Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender
Having sold out his first ever headline show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut later this month before releasing any music, Shay O'Dowd has joined the likes of Capaldi and Joesef who rose to fame through word of mouth in Glasgow. 'In Glasgow, you are always a person away from someone,' Shay said. The Southside-based songwriter continued: 'I have been on the scene for a few years, but just not in terms of releasing music or doing shows. I've been doing tons of writing instead. 'It felt when I announced I was doing a show, people were like, 'I remember that guy'. By working with people across the city I've built up a community around the music that I was making. 'I was quite nervous and thought maybe we should have started somewhere smaller like Poetry Club, but my manager said, 'Nah, let's go big or go home'. I guess it worked out.' (Image: Shay O'Dowd, image supplied) The city centre gig will take place on Friday, May 23 – and it is safe to say that Shay cannot wait. He added: 'I'm absolutely buzzing for the King Tut's gig. I've got the setlist chosen and I can't wait to play it. 'It will be a good night and great to celebrate after the gig with my family, friends and the rest of the people who are there.' He continued: 'King Tut's is a very famous venue, of course, but it's got that intimate feel to it. To be able to sell out my first-ever headline show was definitely special.' READ NEXT: Glasgow singer Joesef talks meeting Elton John ahead of TRNSMT show (Image: Shay O'Dowd, image supplied) Shay released his first single, The Kid I Am, in April. The debut track was written to Shay's younger self, which reflects on the innocence and simplicity of being a kid. He described the song as a promise to a younger Shay to take more chances, live a little more fearlessly and dream a little more to make his inner child proud. It is safe to say that the track is full of heart and vulnerability. Reflecting on the tune, Shay said: 'It was a nerve-racking thing to put the single out. 'It sounds cliched, but these songs are your babies for so long. 'Everything from the song and the little lyric video we did to go along with it – which is old clips of me as a kid and my family – it felt authentic and that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to come out with something that felt like me and told a little bit of a story on who I am.' READ NEXT: Simple Minds share memories of Glasgow ahead of Bellahouston Park gig The song is the leading single off Shay's debut EP, which he is currently working on. 'Sound-wise I've taken inspiration from Ed Sheeran and Paolo Nutini to Sam Fender and Noah Kahan,' said Shay. He continued: 'I'm a big sucker from the heartbreak anthems. Artists like Lewis Capaldi and such. I have plenty of those in the bank. But, for this first EP, I wanted the subject matter to be about my family and growing up. I wanted to steer away from love relationships. 'I'm happy with how the music and this upcoming EP is sounding.' But it's not just other music which has inspired Shay's sound, but the city itself – specifically the grit of Glasgow and its familiar, warm people. He said: 'As I'm growing, I'm just starting to really appreciate how good Glasgow is and how amazing the people are. 'There's something about being from Glasgow that makes people so warm and welcoming and down-to-earth, and I've tried to do that with my music and be honest and real. 'I absolutely love Glasgow. If I ever moved away, I think I'd always miss it.' To find out more about Shay and any upcoming shows, visit
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Pop punk singer announces show at Glasgow's King Tut's
The English pop punk singer is coming to King Tut's as part of her tour promoting her tenth album, The Shape of History. Known as the lead singer in Transvision Vamp, the 59-year-old will take the stage at the iconic Glasgow venue on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. More information here. READ NEXT: Sophie Ellis-Bextor slashes prices for Glasgow gig later this month She said: 'My songwriting has always been a wide mix of sounds, which naturally reflect the different music and references I have and love. "The Shape Of History was recorded on Scrubs Lane, West London with Alex Ward, Harry Bohay and James Sclavunos. "I then went off to NYC and Brooklyn to record the pianos and organs with Dave 'The Moose' Sherman. "Overdubbing continued with Al Lawson at the engineering helm in his Shepherd's Bush studio and then I went back to Berkeley, CA to mix with Jesse Nichols before mastering with Fred Kevorkian in Brooklyn, NY. "I have spent so much time with this music, I know it note-for-note and love it and am so happy for you to make it your own now".
