Scotland Calling
This weekend sees the return of Glasgow’s annual festival of punk, Scotland Calling. Into its 6th year now, I’ve been to them all so far and it has always been a good day out and an opportunity to catch up with friends.
Like every festival, there are bands that suit our tastes and others that give us an opportunity to take a break. Head out for a drink or something to eat in the many hostelries and eating establishments on and around Sauchiehall Street.
We have joked every year about the line-up, with some bands making several appearances. Others having been on every single bill since the start. This year is no different, bands we want to see and others that I can safely say we will body swerve, possibly more this year than before. As indicated the ambiance of the venue, along with the wealth of opportunities for food and drink, has been one of the positive aspects of the day. This years forced change to the less than ideal Academy…well, I’ll reserve judgement.
Unfortunately, one of this years highlights should have been rising stars of the punk scene, the seemingly unstoppable Heavy Drapes, who, but for last years tragic events, would have made their Scotland Calling debut and lifted the roof. RIP Garry, I’ll raise a glass to you on Saturday.
Delinquents and Duncan Reid – not forgetting The Big Heads
As it is, the bands I am most excited about seeing are on early doors, it’ll be “taps aff” (but not in a literal sense, I save you that) for Dundee’s mighty young punks DELINQUENTS who have just released a new EP “Sober on Sunday” followed by one of the best live acts on the circuit the inimitable Duncan Reid (Kid Reid from The Boys) with his Big Heads – Sophie K Powers, Karen Jones and Nick Hughes. After that, I’m struggling to get really excited by the remainder of the line up, but will watch with interest a couple of bands I’ve not seen live before.
Perhaps it is time for Scotland Calling to step up its game or mix things up a bit, bring in more local talent – it is Scotland Calling after all, and not be afraid to mix old with more new. Some of the “established” acts on then bill would struggle to sell out Ivory Blacks or the like.
Maybe we should look towards the new(er) anyway…
Dammit Fest 2019
On the 18th May, there is another all day festival of punk on offer. None of these acts were around in the seventies. This is a much fresher faced line-up, but still with some well-kent names from around the Scottish alternative music circuit.
Music isn’t a competition, there is plenty of space for both of these to exist. Nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia but maybe, just maybe, some of the died in the wool, long in the tooth punks could open their horizons a little bit and sample the delights of what the newer generations have to offer. You can teach old dogs new tricks and you never know, you might like it…
Dammit Presents bring you Dammit Fest 2019 in Nice n Sleazy on the 18th of May. They have put on DIY punk/emo/hardcore and indie-rock gigs in Glasgow, Scotland for the last 3 1/2 years featuring countless bands from around the world as well as nurturing local talent. In addition to live shows, Dammit puts on a monthly club-night and has released an online compilation album for charity.
Dammit Fest 2019 comes to you for the princely sum of £10, where else can you get 10 top quality bands for that? Even better than that, all proceeds go to Rape Crisis Scotland. So a great day out AND all for a great cause.
The key exciting aspect of this festival is the line up itself. Ten eclecticly talented bands from across the UK, and incorporating the official album launch gig for The Murderburgers new long player.
Line-Up
Acts announced so far are the aforementioned Murderburgers, Burnt Tapes, The Kimberely Steaks, the fantastic Bratakus, Good Friend, The Exhausts, Goodbye Blue Monday, Fistymuffs + 2 more acts to be announced. That is a line-up not to be sniffed at!
Find out more about Dammit Fest 2019 on Facebook event page.
Instagram: @dammitpresents
Twitter: @DammitGlasgow