We'll 'fess up - we may have once again attempted to squeeze more than the regulation ten events into this size 10 list. We're sorry, but in the week the Glasgow Film Festival kicks off and two of our favourite current exhibitions wrap up, we just couldn't decide what to cut. We're hoping you can be more ruthless with your precious time.
Glasgow Film Festival, various venues from Wed Feb 18-Sun Mar 1
We simply don't have space here to tell you all the amazing films you should check out at the GFF this year (although we do have that space over here), so instead we'll recommend our top three film-adjacent events: the live music-and-film mash-up A Night at the Regal featuring British Sea Power; the absurd stunt-laden B-movie double-bill at Matchbox Cineclub; and the unsurprisingly over-subscribed, exactly-what-it-sounds-like Cat Video Festival.
The Slab Boys, Citizens Theatre, until Sat Feb 28
John Byrne’s play about two adolescent workers in a carpet factory is a giant of 20th century Scottish theatre; actor and theatremaker David Hayman is no small fry himself. We can't wait to see how the latter treats the former in this new production.
George the Poet, The Berkeley Suite, Thu Feb 19
We're happy to see that spoken word is very much on the rise in the UK, meaning poets from around the country can afford to head out on tour, safe in the knowledge that there'll be an audience for them wherever they land. One such poet is Londoner George, who'll be spreading his socio-politically conscious rhymes at The Berkeley Suite this month.
Gruff Rhys, The Art School, Thu Feb 19
The Super Furry man comes to Glasgow off the back of his 'American Interior' project – a sprawling concept album, book, film, app and Power Point-based live performance experience.
The Duke of Burgundy, selected release from Fri Feb 20
Neatly falling into the same month as 'Fifty Shades of Grey', Peter Strickland's follow-up to 'Berberian Sound Studio' handles the subject of eroticism and sadomasochism in a much more substantial fashion.
Hoya:Hoya x Highlife, The Art School, Sat Feb 21
Manchester UK bass label Hoya:Hoya goes head to head with Glasgow's own Afro-dance crew Highlife. Guests from both labels include Auntie Flo, Esa, Andrew (Huntleys and Palmers), Jon K, Illum Sphere, Jonny Dub and MC Fox.
Rally & Broad: Oh Bondage, Up Yours, Stereo, Sun Feb 22
It's a bit after the fact, but this monthly afternoon performance cabaret is so reliably excellent we'll forgive them their belated anti-Valentine's sentiments. Special guests this time round include Harry Giles, Jellyman’s Daughter, Rose Ruane, Jim Monaghan and Genesee.
Hrafnhildur Halldórsdóttir: The Poster Archive, The Lighthouse / Alasdair Gray: From the Personal to the Universal, Kelvingrove Gallery, both until Sun Feb 22
Two entirely different art exhibitions wrap up on Sunday: in the red corner, the Kelvingrove's Alasdair Gray retrospective pays tribute to Glasgow's beloved polymath in honour of his 80th birthday, while in the neon blue corner, The Hot Club's Rafla (aka Hrafnhildur Halldórsdóttir) shows off her exquisitely-designed collection of club posters. Not that the two exhibitions are at odds, of course - we're sure you're perfectly equipped to go and appreciate them both.
Royal Blood, Barrowlands, Sun Feb 22-Mon Feb 23
Britain’s biggest new rock band in many a year gear up for summer stadium shows supporting Foo Fighters with the small matter of a two-night stint headlining the Barrowland. How long before they’re filling stadiums in their own right?
Three Blind Wolves, Nice'n'Sleazy, Sun Feb 22
Soaring, folk-tinged psychedelic blues-rock from Glasgow’s Three Blind Wolves, of whom somewhat confusingly there are four. Presently working on a new album, the follow-up to their debut ‘Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine’.