FRETS CONCERTS: GUEST BLOG BY DOUGLAS MACINTYRE

Here’s a guest blog from Douglas MacIntyre about the wonderful FRETS concerts, which continue to go from strength to strength. FRETS is a brilliant example of community collaboration where family pitch in and all profits are ploughed back into providing more shows: it’s a great thing. Over to Douglas for the story behind the small but mighty FRETS and news of forthcoming gigs…

FRETS began running monthly concert presentations in the Strathaven Hotel on October 4th 2019. I grew up in a wee village just outside Strathaven called Glassford and was familiar with the hotel, I thought the ballroom space could work for acoustic / stripped-back concerts. My concept was based on an old BBC2 television show, In Concert, which I saw Neil Young on as a youngster. I actually had a dream that Neil performed his On The Beach album acoustically at the Strathaven Hotel (followed by Bill Callahan performing ‘Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle’) – I took this as a sign I should start FRETS.

Douglas MacIntyre with Port Sulphur supporting Arab Strap

The first concert was on 4th October 2019 and featured Lloyd Cole (accompanied by Commotions’ guitarist Neil Clark). I had played guitar with Lloyd Cole when he used The Leopards as his backing group and had known him since the Commotions started. He was about to start a world tour and had been rehearsing in Glasgow, so I chanced it and asked him if he fancied playing, which he did. I approached the owner of the Strathaven Hotel, Hans Rissman, and explained my idea for a series of intimate seated concerts. Hans was encouraging and we decided we’d run 3 concerts to see if we both felt FRETS was viable. However, after the opening sold out concert with Lloyd Cole we knew the concept would work. I organised another couple of concerts (James Grant then in Feb 2020 Norman Blake and Euros Childs), both of which sold out. Then on the eve of The Bluebells playing in March 2020 the world locked down for Covid and FRETS was suspended.

The Bluebells

The world re-opened in Jan 2022 and we had a headlining concert by Altered Images, which was the first time a full group line-up with drums / electric guitars etc performed at FRETS. The Bluebells did a surprise support slot as a trio and The Secret Goldfish opened the evening, it was our daughter Matilda’s 18th birthday so it was a real family party vibe. Since then we’ve had many memorable monthly concerts, each one special in their own way and the vast majority of concerts has sold out. A snapshot of artists who have performed at FRETS includes Robert Forster, Michael Head, Tim Burgess, King Creosote, The Bathers, Horse, Arab Strap, Callum Easter, The Vaselines, The Pearlfishers. We always have amazing opening artists at each show (Stevie Jackson, Emma Dunlop, Kirsten Adamson, Gerry Love) and the audiences are wonderful, really attentive who love listening to live music which creates magic in the room.

Altered Images

FRETS is all about community and any profits are ploughed back into providing more concerts, we think what we’re doing is unique in Lanarkshire. We bring in top quality PA and lights and have a professional crew running the event, usually under the watchful eye of production manager Wesley Cameron if he’s not away touring. Our family do the ticket desk and help with loading out the equipment after the concert (if they’re not working elsewhere).

The Secret Goldfish L-R
James Kirk, Amelia Lironi, Katy Lironi, Douglas MacIntyre

BMX Bandits are next up at FRETS on Saturday 31st August, which will be special – their Dreamers on the Run album is an incredible piece of work. Wojtek The Bear will be opening the evening, performing tracks from their recent Stephen Street-produced album (shaking hands with the NME) released on Last Night From Glasgow. It’ll be a special night.

The remaining 2025 concerts are Michael Head (Friday 6th Sept); Horse (Friday 20th Sept); Norman Blake (Saturday 19th October) and The Cowboy Mouth (Friday 1st November). Details about tickets and information are at the website   www.fretsconcerts.com – it’s worth joining the mailing list on the website to be emailed upfront about forthcoming concerts.