Glasgow City Music Tour Playlist
To mark the success of our first rehearsal run of the Glasgow’s Music Mile tour on Saturday and in anticipation of the maiden voyage of our Merchant City Music Past and Present tour this Friday, we are pleased to launch our Spotify playlist. It’s over there, on the right. You’ll probably need to scroll down
Like any good jukebox, we’ll be changing the records from time to time to keep things fresh. We’re also happy to take requests so do get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or email us at [email protected] with suggestions of Glasgow gems or musical themes you would like to hear represented.
Other themed playlists will follow but we are debuting with a soundtrack inspired by some of the venues we visit on our tours matched to our favourite Glasgow artists and songs. Walk and roll!
Britannia Panopticon Music Hall: Will Fyffe – I Belong to Glasgow
This music hall classic and favourite of refreshed Glaswegians everywhere was actually written by a Dundonian, Will Fyffe, after he was accosted – in a friendly manner – by a soused gentleman in Central Station proclaiming “Glasgow belongs to me!”
Pavilion: Lulu – To Sir With Love
Our Lulu broke box office records when she played the Pavilion Theatre in the mid-70s. Here is her swoonsome theme to the 1967 film To Sir, With Love. Fellow Glaswegians Trashcan Sinatras also do a rather lovely cover.
Apollo: Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Boston Tea Party
SAHB played all over Glasgow in their day but will forever be associated with the Apollo, thanks to their three Christmas gigs in 1975. Hear all about them – and Harvey’s fascination with the Loch Ness monster – on our Glasgow’s Music Mile tour.
Barrowland: Simple Minds – Waterfront
Written by Jim Kerr after a walk along the Clyde, this was the song which kickstarted Barrowland’s second life as the city’s most loved rock venue. Find out the full story on our Merchant City Music Past and Present tour.
Royal Concert Hall: Aztec Camera – Killermont Street
Roddy Frame’s wistful tribute to the city he left to move to London in his teens. What’s the Concert Hall connection? The building sits on Killermont Street, just opposite the city’s bus station.
CCA: Belle & Sebastian – Lazy Line Painter Jane
Glasgow’s favourite cult band conducted their first interview in the CCA in the mid-90s. We know because we were there! Plus their compilation The Third Eye Centre is named after the arts centre which occupied the building before the transition to the CCA.
Glasgow School of Art: Franz Ferdinand – Do You Want To
Franz Ferdinand played some of their earliest gigs at the Art School – and that’s not their only connection with the place… Keeping things arty, this stomper also namechecks the Transmission Gallery, which we’ll point out to you when we whip round the Merchant City.
King Tut’s: Paolo Nutini – These Streets
Paolo Nutini played several shows at King Tut’s in 2005/6 as he prepared for pop stardom. His debut single was written about feeling lost in London and hankering after his familiar Paisley home, but still…streets, y’know?
Mono: The Pastels – Truck Train Tractor
One of the most influential bands to emerge from the city, The Pastels invented Scottish indie music as we know and love it. They’re still trucking on today and frontman Stephen Pastel also runs the wonderful Monorail Records in Mono. Our Merchant City Music tour starts and ends there so there will be ample opportunity for browsing.
Nice’n’Sleazy: Mogwai – Mogwai Fear Satan
Mogwai practically lived in Nice’n’Sleazy throughout the 90s and it’s still like a second home to them. In fact, who’s that drinking in the corner right now…?
The Scotia: The Humblebums – Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway
Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty started their respective careers in comedy and music as folk duo The Humblebums, and The Scotia was their Glasgow haunt of choice.
Paddy’s Market: Orange Juice – Blue Boy
You may not automatically associate the urbane Orange Juice with an old flea market but Paddy’s played a pivotal role in the early days of the band and their influential label Postcard Records. We’ll fill you in on the details on our Merchant City Music tour.