Summer's kicking off big time, and with it comes a host of outdoor events taking advantage of the warmer weather (Southside Fringe, Sub Club Soundsystem, Platform 18, Riverside), plus large groups of events getting into the summery festival spirit (Behaviour, DiG, Mayfesto). In amongst, you'll find the same vibrant mix of theatre, film, clubs, gigs, exhibitions and miscellaneous joy that make living in this city wonderful.
Things to do
Bank Holiday weekend, Sat May 2-Mon May 4
We figured you might want to make the most of the bank holiday weekend, so we put together a handy holiday feature detailing all the best activities, club nights and assorted what-have-you. Don't say we're not good to you.
Insane Championship Wrestling, The Garage, Sun May 3 & Sun May 31
More violent, high drama grappling from the ICW crew, bringing a touch of Glasgow grit and humour to the lycra and pyrotechnics of pro wrestling.
Southside Fringe, various venues, Fri May 8-May 24
A community arts festival boasting the best fun south of the Clyde, with family events, live music, comedy, theatre, cabaret, performance art and general nonsense. If we were forced to choose favourites, a production of Kate Tempest's 'Wasted' at Govanhill Baths, a one-day pop-up from the Glasgow Mela at Tramway and the Southside Fringe Grand Finale (at the Baths again) would be among the frontrunners.
Secret Arcade, secret venue, Sat May 30
The Fiction Project – ‘a series of events showcasing underground creatives, infused with fictional elements, distortion, reality and endless possibilities’ – launch their first event, an exhibition of poster art celebrating gaming subcultures, complete with DJs, projections and playable arcade machines, at a secret location. Check out their Facebook page for more info.
Theatre & Dance
Mayfesto, Tron Theatre, Tue May 5-Sat May 30
The 2015 edition of the Tron’s festival of new writing takes female experiences from around the world as its theme. Our pick of the highlights includes ‘Gods Are Fallen And All Safety Gone’, an investigation of mother-daughter relationships with an all-male cast; 'Rites', a sobering exploration of Female Genital Mutilation from National Theatre of Scotland; ‘Cinema’, an otherworldly drama inspired by the Cinema Rex fire in Iran, 1978; and ‘Crazy Jane’, a theatre-dance event shining a spotlight on Moulin Rouge postergirl Jane Avril, scored by Hector Bizerk.
Dance International Glasgow, various venues, until Jun 6
Another festival, this one celebrating dance and physical movement; our May highlights, outlined in our handy DiG preview, include Colette Sadler’s ‘Geist’, Ultimate Dancer’s occult ‘Holy Smoke’, Lithuanian street dance project ‘Home Trip’ and Aakash Odedra’s ‘Murmur’ and ‘Inked’, exploring childhood dyslexia and his grandmother’s tattoos respectively.
Behaviour, The Arches, until Sun May 17
Anyone moaning about how Edinburgh’s overburdened with festivals clearly hasn’t seen Glasgow in May... Not that we’re complaining, as Behaviour continues with a strong programme of boundary-crossing, thought-provoking theatre. Again, we've picked out some highlights in our Behaviour preview, including an election eve special from Nic Green and a human-sized hamster habitat.
Billy and Tim and the Wee Glesga Ghost, Pavilion Theatre, Wed May 6-May 23
Des Dillon’s always-on-tour sectarianism satire, ‘Singin I’m no a Billy he’s a Tim’, gets the sequel treatment, as a dying Glasgow ned (played by Neil ‘The Wee Man’ Bratchpiece) is tasked with convincing a single bigot to renounce their prejudices.
Fever Dream: Southside, Citizens Theatre, until Sat May 9
Douglas Maxwell (‘Decky Does a Bronco’, ‘A Respectable Widow Takes to Vulgarity’) pens this surreal new comic thriller set in Glasgow’s Southside.
Shrek the Musical, King’s Theatre, until Sun May 17
Everyone’s favourite grumpy green giant comes out of his swamp and onto the stage in this touring edition of the hit Broadway and West End production. Expect big-budget sets and costumes coupled with sly, satirical gags and a (non-stop) talking donkey.
Into that Darkness, Citizens Theatre, Mon May 18-Sat May 30
Adapted from Gitta Sereny’s book of the same name, this harrowing but no doubt affecting play is based on the transcripts of interviews with Franz Stangl, an SS-Obersturmführer who oversaw the deaths of nearly one million people in Nazi extermination camps.
Gregor Fisher in conversation with Maureen Beattie, Citizens Theatre, Sun May 31
One of Scotland’s best-loved comedians and actors, Gregor Fisher (aka Rab C Nesbit himself) discusses his career at this fundraiser for the Citz Redevelopment Project. Ok, so he's no Al Pacino, but we reckon he's still got a tale or two to tell.
Comedy
Gary Little, The Stand, Mon May 11
The Scottish comic praised as ‘a riot’ by US counterpart Bill Burr embarks on a nationwide tour, taking his keenly observed stories of Scottish society to all corners of the country.
Zoe Lyons, The Stand, Wed May 13
Perennial Fringe favourite Lyons returns north – following another sold-out run in Edinburgh last August which attracted a galaxy of four and five star reviews – with a new show covering everything from, um, pan pipes to the price of lobster.
Katherine Ryan, Oran Mor, Sun May 17
The Canadian comedian (try saying that five times fast) revives her excellent ‘Glam Role Model’ show for the Glasgow massive.
Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, King’s Theatre, Mon May 18
Improvised comedy show by ‘Have I Got News For You’ star and his assorted chums, including Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson, Suki Webster and Mike McShane.
Foil, Arms and Hog, The Stand, Wed May 20
The affable Irish sketch trio and Fringe regulars get a head start on their inevitable Edinburgh residency with this warm-up tour.
Film
Far from the Madding Crowd, general release from Fri May 1
Carey Mulligan stars in this lavish adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s grand romance – check out our interview with her to find out more.
I am Big Bird, selected release from Fri May 1
Puppeteer Carol Spinney is the subject of this heartwarming ‘Sesame Street’ documentary. Big Bird isn’t his only role of course, but ‘I am Oscar the Grouch’ was less catchy.
Heaven Adores You, selected release from Thu May 7
Documentary exploring the life and untimely death of uber-talented singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It’s worth noting that the GFT, in association with Stag & Dagger’s Live at Glasgow music fest, is screening the doc in advance on Sun May 3, while the Sucker Punch weekender gives it another welcome airing at the Glad Cafe on Sun May 31.
Big Game, general release from Fri May 8
Samuel L Jackson stars as the President in this survival action-adventure, but that’s not the biggest selling point for us – it comes from the twisted Finns who brought us the excellent anti-Christmas movie ‘Rare Exports’.
Girlhood, selected release from Fri May 8
Not a dig at Richard Linklater’s 12-years-in-development opus but an award winning drama depicting a teenage girl’s efforts to fit in with a new group of friends in the tough ghettos of urban Paris.
Mad Max: Fury Road, general release from Fri May 15
Tom Hardy takes the role made famous by Mel Gibson in this apocalyptic Aussie reboot. Fans worried about a toothless, sanitized remake can rest easy – original writer/director George Miller is back on board and, from the looks of the trailer, it’s as crazy as ever.
Tomorrowland, general release from Fri May 15
Director Brad Bird (‘The Incredibles’, ‘Ratatouille’) joins forces with George Clooney for an effects-heavy family sci-fi adventure.
Al Pacino, SECC, Tue May 19
It’s an offer you can’t refuse: an evening in the company of one of the greatest actors of all time. Pacino will reveal backstage anecdotes from some of his most famous parts in movies such as ‘The Godfather’, ‘Scarface’ and ‘Dick Tracy’, as well as discussing his method. Ok, so he's no Gregor Fisher, but...
Art
Glasgow Open House Art Festival, various venues, Sat May 2-Mon May 4
Taking art out of the galleries and into people's homes, the Open House festival features new and exciting works by the latest generation of artists to emerge from Scotland's art institutions. At the very least, it's a chance to nose around someone else's flat for a bit.
Liz Larner: Space is better than time, but time is ok, The Modern Institute, until Sat May 23
The LA-based sculptor explores aspects of geology and change with her cracked, imperfect but rich and colourful ceramic forms. With an excellent title.
Katy Dove: Motorhead, Luna, Stop It, Sooner, Gallery of Modern Art, until Mon May 25
The GoMA launches its new Artist Moving Image season with a foursome of works by abstract animator Katy Dove.
Mick Peter: Pyramid Selling, Tramway, until Sun Jun 14
Solo exhibition of new sculpture mimicking the ‘witty’ style of cartoonish graphic design from the 60s and 70s.
Maud Sulter: Passion, Street Level Photoworks, until Sun Jun 21
Retrospective exhibition showcasing the phenomenal work of Ghanaian-Scottish portrait photographer Sulter, whose practice included depicting contemporary black women creatives in the classical style of traditionally white muses.
The Ballet of the Palette, Gallery of Modern Art, until Sun Jan 24 2016
This selection of 20th century paintings was chosen by contemporary artists featured in the GoMA’s equivalent 2013 exhibition. We’re almost certain we know what’s going to happen with the exhibition after this one.
Ripples on the Pond, Gallery of Modern Art, until Feb 28 2016
Following on from Glasgow Women’s Library’s '21 Revolutions' project, this exhibition of works on paper and moving images aims to provoke questions about gender and artistic media.
Music & Nightlife
Tectonics, various venues, Fri May 1-Sun May 3
Genre-spanning contemporary music festival exploring modern classical, electronic, experimental and improvised avenues, expertly curated by BBC SSO conductor Ilan Volkov and Alasdair Campbell (who has previous form with Le Weekend and Counterflows).
Gaz Coombes, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Fri May 1
Ex-Supergrass frontman and guitarist Gaz Coombes’ solo career continues to go from strength to strength with his second solo album ‘Matador’.
Platform 18, West Street, Sat May 2
Outdoor daytime house and techno rave-up featuring Ivan Kutz, Niz, Forbes and Dave Scott. It finishes early enough for you to head out to the nightclubs after too, if you're not totally clubbed out by then.
Public Service Broadcasting, O2 ABC, Sat May 2
The corduroy-clad purveyors of clipped, British sample-pop visit Glasgow with (inter)stellar new album ‘The Race for Space’.
Take That, SSE Hydro, Fri May 1 & Sat May 2
Since the departure of Jason Orange last year, Britain's leading man band Take That’s fortunes have rapidly faded and nobody seems to give a damn about them anymore. Only joking! They've parked themselves at Scotland's biggest muic venue for the best part of a week, as part of another blockbusting UK tour in support of their latest album ‘III’ (there’s only three of them now, geddit?). Consider yourself invited – unless you’re the Tax Man.
Huntleys and Palmers: James Holden, The Art School, Fri May 1
Glasgow, London and Berlin-based party planners and record label Huntleys and Palmers return to The Art School with a head-spinningly good line-up that includes a live set from James Holden alongside Helena Hauff, Alex Smoke, Karen Gwyer, Hodge and more.
Sub Club Soundsystem, Sub Club, Sat May 2 & Sun May 3
Be sure to get plenty of kip in the run up to this one, as you’re likely to be going two days and nights without sleep as the Sub Club Soundsystem kicks in to welcome summer. It’s a Bank Holiday weekender of unforgettable house music, killer disco grooves and amazing party vibes, featuring Subbie favourites old and new in unique indoor and outdoor city centre surroundings (TBA), including an NYC block party inspired courtyard. Not that they're banking on the weather being good, or anything.
Live at Glasgow, various venues, Sun May 3
Django Django, Honeyblood and The Thurston Moore Band are among the top names at this one-day music fest, taking place at various venues on and around Sauchiehall Street. Wristbands are only £23 - get on it.
Rodriguez, SECC, Sun May 3
The Sugarman comes to Glasgow. Brought to popular attention after labouring in obscurity as a singer-songwriter for most of his life, Detroit’s Sixto Rodriguez (pictured above) was propelled to international fame by belated cult success in South Africa (completely unbeknown to him) and a 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary film about his remarkable story, 'Searching for Sugar Man'. Now 72 and still touring, he arrives in Scotland to bask in long-overdue limelight.
Django Django, HMV, Mon May 4
The locally-beloved indie-pop-rockers perform a freebie in-store gig to promote new album ‘Born Under Saturn’.
Rozi Plain, Mono, Mon May 4
Indie-folk singer-songwriter signed to The Pictish Trail's Lost Map Records, who tours with a revolving collective of backing musicians.
Boyz II Men, O2 ABC, Tue May 5
The American R&B vocal boyz that launched countless multi-platinum-selling weepy 90s ballads are back as men, with no end of the road (geddit?) in sight.
Super Furry Animals, O2 Academy, Tue May 5
SFA are back, OK? One of Wales’ and British psychedelic rock’s all-time greats return from a lengthy hiatus with a short tour in support of an anniversary re-issue of their outstanding 2000 Welsh language album ‘Mwng’. Expect a career-spanning set from the Britpop days through to 2009’s underrated ‘Dark Days/Light Years’, and all the incredible and wantonly eccentric techno, calypso, folk and punk rock flecked stuff recorded in between.
Garden of Elks, Bloc, Wed May 6
Noisy Glaswegian guitar band with members drawn from Bronto Skylift, Paws and Lady North.
Average White Band, O2 ABC, Fri May 8
The funky Scottish disco/soul posse behind ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ (we can almost guarantee you’ve heard it) hit the road for the umpteenth time in their 30-odd year career.
Foxygen, Stereo, Sat May 9
Far-out Californian psychedelic-pop hippy fops finally make it to the UK following previous attempts cancelled due to all kinds of extracurricular turmoil – something which seems to follow Foxygen wherever they go. And not a moment too soon either, as the band has announced this will be their 'farewell tour'.
Withered Hand and Woodpigeon, Nice’n’Sleazy, Sat May 9
Indie-folk singer-songwriter brothers-in-arms from different sides of the Atlantic unite, as Scot Withered Hand and Canadian Woodpigeon team-up for a short tour.
8:58, O2 ABC, Sat May 9
Orbital's Phil Hartnoll embarks on a new electronica project following the demise of his mighty house-rave-techno partnership with brother Paul.
Hot Chip, The Art School, Tue May 12
The dancefloor-friendly electronica quintet return to Glasgow to air out tracks from their back catalogue plus new album ‘In Our Heads’. They'll be DJing at the official Sub Club after-party as well.
The Maccabees, O2 ABC, Tue May 12
Biblically-titled indie-rock band of a noisy, shrewdly anthemic stripe like they don’t tend to make them much anymore. Back with an as-yet-untitled fourth album, as led by the rather infectious single ‘Marks To Prove It’.
Tyler, The Creator, Barrowlands, Tue May 12
Co-founder and effective leader of the Los Angeles alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future, not to mention something of a lightning rod for controversy (accusations of homophobia, misogyny, violence - you name it), Tyler, The Creator has enjoyed considerable success as a solo artist with his second album ‘Wolf’ gaining strong reviews and good sales.
Crazy P, Stereo, Thu May 14
The latter part of their moniker these-days foreshortened to merely an initial for fairly obvious reasons (it used to be something a bit rude), Nottingham disco and deep house veterans Crazy P present their latest album ‘Walk Talk Dance Sing’.
Hannah Wants, The Arches, Sat May 16
A child of the garage generation, Hannah Wants has validated herself as a world renowned DJ with serious credentials. In 2014 she picked up the Best Breakthrough DJ title at the DJ Mag awards and became Mixmag’s Best Breakthrough DJ and Star Of The Year.
Mark Knopfler, SSE Hydro, Tue May 19
Ex-Dire Straits singer and guitar man Knopfler returns to the city of his birth to perform songs from his new solo album ‘Tracker’. Plus a couple of Straits classics perhaps if you ask really, really politely.
S Club 7, The SSE Hydro, Wed May 20
It’s the reunion which, let’s face it, pretty much no one save for the once-cherubic pop septet’s bank managers was waiting for, as S Club 7 return to cringe their way through all the teeny hits from ‘Bring It All Back’ to ‘Don’t Stop Movin’. Still, 10 million album sales do not lie.
Young Fathers, The Art School, Wed May 20
The rather excellent 'not hip hop' trio (pictured above) follow up their Mercury Award-winning LP ‘Dead’ with new album 'White Men are Black Men Too'.
Gallows, The Cathouse, Fri May 22
The founding Carter brothers have left this hardcore punk rock outfit, leaving Alexisonfire frontman Wade MacNeil to lead the band as they tour fourth album 'Desolation Sounds'.
Belle and Sebastian, The SSE Hydro, Fri May 22
Given that 2014 saw them release a feature film and help open the Commonwealth Games, it might be hard to imagine Stuart Murdoch and his crew of twee-pop minstrels going on to bigger things. Well, they’re going to give it their best shot, taking on the Hydro arena with the assistance of the Scottish Festival Orchestra.
Adam Holmes & the Embers, CCA, Fri May 22
Trad folk singer-songwriter Holmes has had more than his fair share of awards and nominations, but that’s by the by – head along to hear some old-style ballads beautifully reborn, interspersed with dashes of bone-dry wit.
Miracle Strip, The Old Hairdressers, Sat May 23
Glasgow electronic pop duo Miracle Strip launch their debut album ‘Magic Milk’ with a gig and dance party featuring support from instrumental electro-wonk maestro Glamour Muscle and purveyor of off-kilter psychedelia Sham Gate, followed by DJ sets until late from bETAMAX and Fruit Pistols.
Nils Frahm, O2 ABC, Sat May 23
The German pianist, composer and neo-classical electronicist hits Glasgow as part of his wide-ranging European tour.
Swans, The Art School, Sat May 23
Now so firmly re-established they almost don’t need the ‘re-‘, Michael Gira’s experimental rock outfit are always a terrifyingly vital live act. Head along and have your mind blown.
KRS-One, Audio, Tue May 26-Wed May 27
Predominantly rock-and-metal tunnel-based venue Audio hosts a double-whammy of intimate dates from one of the most outspoken, authoritative voices in hip hop.
Don McLean, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Tue May 26
The man behind the iconic 1970 song ‘American Pie’ – the original lyrics for which recently sold at auction for $1.2 million – comes to Scotland on a rare tour. The 69-year-old with 40 gold and platinum records to his name world-wide will release his latest album ‘Botanical Gardens’ this spring.
Hozier, Barrowlands, Wed May 27
Folky-blues with overtones of, dare we say, Nickleback-y gravelly-voiced angst from Irish singer-songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne. He tours his self-titled debut album as led by the Grammy-nominated, all-over-the-radio like a rash single ‘Take Me to Church’.
Miaoux Miaoux, Stereo, Wed May 27
Glasgow-based hypercolour indie dance pop producer Julian Corrie marks the release of his second album on Chemikal Underground Records, titled ‘School of Velocity’, with a hometown launch show at Stereo.
Babes in Toyland, Oran Mor, Thu May 28
Recently reformed punk rock girl group who were a huge influence (but never a self-proclaimed part of) the riot grrrl scene that also spawned L7, Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill. Expect a raw live performance.
Mudhoney, O2 ABC, Thu May 28
Seattle proto-grunge influencers, whose early releases on Sub Pop Records laid the foundation stones for the scene that spawned Nirvana and all that. Still keepin’ on keepin’ on after all these years, their ninth album ‘Vanishing Point’ came out in 2013.
Riverside Festival, Riverside Museum, Fri May 29 & Sat May 30
Top notch electronica fest on the banks of the Clyde, featuring sets from Sven Vath, Siriusmodeselektor and Ricardo Villalobos among many others.
Bryan Ferry, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Fri May 29
Still smouldering after all these years, ex-Roxy Music singer turned caramel-voiced sophisti-pop solo crooner Bryan Ferry brings his ever-well-presented self to Scotland in support of his latest album ‘Avonmore’.
Lighthouse Late, The Lighthouse, Fri May 29
Glaswegian electronica acts KLOE and Prides head up a night of entertainment and fashion design appreciation at The Lighthouse.
Balkanarama, The Art School, Fri May 29
The hot Balkan instrumental orgy celebrates eight years on the go, with a guest slot from Portuguese gypsa/ska ensemble Kumpania Algazarra.
Sucker Punch, The Glad Café, Fri May 29-Sun May 31
A brand new mini-fest put together by The Glad Café and music zine GoldFlakePaint, Sucker Punch aims to promote the best rising bands from Scotland and beyond. Friday and Saturday feature sets from Tuff Love, Joe Howe, Babe, Wolf, C Duncan, Kathryn Joseph, Rob St John, Ultras and more, while Sunday is given over to a special screening of ‘Heaven Adores You’, a new biopic of singer-songwriter Elliott Smith (from whom GFP gets its name).