CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Tinderbox Orchestra: Live in Libraries Tour

Tinderbox Orchestra will bring its Live in Libraries Tour to Glasgow to spread a campaign that gets musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like books!

Tinderbox Orchestra: Live in Libraries Tour

About Tinderbox Orchestra: Live in Libraries Tour

Ahead of this year’s World Music Day (21 June), Tinderbox Orchestra is pleased to announce that its ground-breaking 20-piece orchestra will undertake a tour of UK libraries to spread a national campaign to get musical instruments into public libraries, so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book. The tour will see rappers and singers performing alongside heavy brass, strings, woodwind and a thundering backline.

The We Make Music Instrument Libraries initiative has been growing in Scotland for the past few years and has now spread to over 10 local authorities and 30 community libraries across the country. Thousands of people have borrowed instruments and these libraries are introducing a whole package of music lessons, workshops, live gigs and events into their buildings, bringing crowds of new people into libraries and supporting music and educational opportunities for communities across Scotland.

The campaign started when a local youth music project run by Tinderbox Collective teamed up with Muirhouse Library in North Edinburgh, to enable children and families to borrow instruments during the summer holiday. It worked so well the idea got picked up by other library services and local music organisations, who formed a growing Scotland-wide collective, convened by the Music Education Partnership Group and We Make Music Scotland. They ran a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022 which gathered donations of hundreds of second-hand instruments. These were serviced to a good standard and placed in libraries across the country, giving thousands of people the opportunity to try out saxophones, guitars, ukuleles, trumpets and all sorts of other instruments.

Tinderbox Orchestra are now taking this campaign and initiative further afield. Funded by PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders programme, they are bringing their five-star show and 20-piece band together with local acts to perform at libraries in Northern England and Scotland for the first leg of the tour with more dates to be announced soon. Initial dates include Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, Manchester’s Henry Watson Music Library, Leeds Central Library, and a run of 9 shows at Edinburgh’s Central Library as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where they will present their new show Outwith Words: Tinderbox Orchestra & Loud Poets, featuring collaborations with some of Scotland’s leading spoken word artists. A new crowdfunding campaign will accompany the tour with a call-out for second-hand instruments to help kickstart instrument libraries wherever they go. They plan to release a Live in Libraries album as part of the campaign, featuring performances and collaborations from different shows on the tour.

Tinderbox Orchestra will be touring to the south of England and Ireland later in the year (dates TBC) and would love to hear from libraries and cultural organisations interested in joining the campaign.

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Enjoy East Ren
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Fayre Play

Other Events at The Mitchell Library and Theatre

The Mitchell Library Death Cafe hosted by Creating Conversations CIC

Selected dates between 30th October 2025 - 26th February 2026

Join Creating Conversations CIC at The Mitchell Library for one of their regular Death Cafe, a safe, confidential and friendly space to come together and talk openly and honestly about death.

READ MORE

Wintering Well: Living With SAD Exhibition

12th January 2026 - 9th February 2026

This free mini-exhibition at The Mitchell Library showcases a creative collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow & Edinburgh and local residents living with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

READ MORE

Parkinson’s UK Scotland Mental Health Project

Selected dates between 19th January 2026 - 21st December 2026

Supporting people with Parkinson's who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, low mood or depression in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

READ MORE

SWAN Places

Selected dates between 22nd January 2026 - 17th December 2026

SWAN Places are not structured support groups, but rather an opportunity to benefit from community and connection in an all-autistic space.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

City Of Glasgow Chorus
Mowgli
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Number 10 Hotel
ATG

Similar events you might like...

One Night In Tennessee

One Night In Tennessee

Selected dates between 9th January 2025 - 31st March 2026

Inspired by the open mic nights of Bourbon Street, Old Bohemia and their talented friends take to the stage and cover your favourite country classics at Maggie's Rock N Rodeo!

READ MORE
Maggies Rock N Rodeo Cowboy Ceilidh

Maggies Rock N Rodeo Cowboy Ceilidh

Selected dates between 10th January 2025 - 6th March 2026

Get ready to go buck wild at Maggies Rock N Rodeo's sellout Cowboy Ceilidh - the wildest country party this side of Texas!

READ MORE
Sloans Famous Friday Night Ceilidh

Sloans Famous Friday Night Ceilidh

Selected dates between 10th January 2025 - 27th March 2026

Sloans Famous Friday Ceilidh is back and it's bigger and better than ever... it's a must for everyone visiting Glasgow and any true weegie!

READ MORE
Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Looking for the perfect way to introduce your child to music? Amplify's fun and engaging ukulele classes are designed just for 5 to 8-year-olds—the perfect stepping stone into music education!

READ MORE
Adult Music Workshops

Adult Music Workshops

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Always wanted to play an instrument? Now's your chance! Join Amplify Music Academy for their relaxed, one-hour daytime group lessons for adults!

READ MORE
Music at The Burrell with The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Music at The Burrell with The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Selected dates between 13th September 2025 - 7th March 2026

This special concert series at The Burrell Collection features eight unique performances showcasing 25 outstanding young musicians from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland!

READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel

Candlelight: Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel

Selected dates between 30th October 2025 - 24th January 2026

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations... discover the music of Simon and Garfunkel at the Trades Hall.

READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Oasis

Candlelight: Tribute to Oasis

Selected dates between 30th October 2025 - 14th February 2026

Discover the music of Oasis in Glasgow's Trades Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!

READ MORE
DECADES - Beatles & Beyond with Itchycoo Park

DECADES - Beatles & Beyond with Itchycoo Park

Selected dates between 2nd November 2025 - 26th April 2026

Itchycoo Park are excited to announce a three set performance with a full set dedicated to one of the most influential bands of all time - The Beatles!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Enjoy East Ren
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Fayre Play
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Mowgli
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Number 10 Hotel
ATG

Popular Events

Hollywood Vampires
Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Tommy Henriksen and Johnny Depp AKA American rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires will return to Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Monday 17th August!
Celtic Connections
The January blues are set to be well and truly banished as Glasgow comes alive when Celtic Connections returns for 2026 between Thursday 15th January and Sunday 1st February!
Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX - Album Launch Show
Nathan Evans and SAINT PHNX are teaming up for their first collab album as a folk/pop band, don't miss their Album Launch Show at Edmiston House on Saturday 17th January!
Day Fever Glasgow
DAY FEVER RETURNS TO GLASGOW! Yes, that's right! Day Fever, the Saturday daytime disco, that doesn't ruin your Sunday, is returning to BAaD in 2026!
Take 2: Family-Friendly Films
Everything from kid-friendly classics to family foreign language and the latest blockbuster releases, Take 2 screenings at Glasgow Film Theatre will keep even the littlest film fans entertained!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro