Kelvingrove Bandstand celebrates 100th anniversary
The historic venue in Kelvingrove Park will mark the milestone with a specially recorded Squeeze concert, Doors Open Day events and the launch of a new webpage.
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 24 July 2024 6:37
Image Credit: Wattie Cheung
Glasgow’s historic Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary year with a specially recorded Squeeze concert, Doors Open Day events and the launch of a new webpage dedicated to the milestone.
The English rock outfit’s gig on 1 August will be recorded by BBC Radio Scotland for future broadcast as part of the 2024 Summer Nights at the Bandstand, which will bring music stars and bands to the Kelvingrove Park venue during its centenary year.
The concert series, kicked off by Gabrielle on 23 July, features the likes of Johnny Marr (25 July), Emeli Sande (27 July), Ocean Colour Scene (31 July), Echo and The Bunnymen (9 August) and Bananarama (10 August).
Coincidentally, 2024 also marks promoter Regular Music’s 100th Summer Nights at the Bandstand gig.
The acts involved in this year’s Summer Nights at the Bandstand are the latest in a long line of iconic performers who have entertained crowds at Kelvingrove Bandstand.
The Jaygars, Hue and Cry, The Bluebells and Tom Jones are among the famous faces who have wowed audiences at the West End venue over the decades.
Kelvingrove Bandstand is managed by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow.
As part of the 100th anniversary year celebrations, people will also have a chance to see behind the scenes and step onto the famous stage during Doors Open Day events on 21 and 22 September. The Doors Open Days will also feature free live music by Glasgow-based artists.
While Kelvingrove Bandstand is renowned as a live music venue, its history is, perhaps, less well-known.
To mark the anniversary, its remarkable story is being told through research, images and film on a new Kelvingrove Bandstand 100th anniversary webpage on the Glasgow Life website.
The current bandstand is Kelvingrove Park’s third and the new webpage reveals the history of each, the origins of which can be traced back to the opening of the park in 1853.
For the first two decades, Kelvingrove Park was designed as a place to walk, rest and enjoy nature.
That changed in 1872 when the Council decided people would also appreciate music and the 25th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers became the first band to perform in Kelvingrove Park.
The Sun Foundry built the park’s first bandstand in 1875. It opened the following year in an extension of the park where the Lord Kelvin statue now stands.
Concerts at the city’s new attraction became incredibly popular, with 10,000 people often attending on Saturdays.
In 1888, the bandstand hosted live music as Kelvingrove Park staged the first of the Glasgow International Exhibitions.
It again hosted musical performances during the second Glasgow International Exhibition in 1901.
The original structure was then replaced with a traditional bandstand and amphitheatre beside the River Kelvin for the 1911 Glasgow International Exhibition.
When cinema and radio arrived in the 1920s, Kelvingrove Bandstand offered new forms of entertainment to keep pace with the competition, hosting costumed concert parties, choirs and orchestras.
The new events were so successful, it was decided the second bandstand was not big enough.
As a result, a proposal was put to the Council in 1923 to build a new ‘super bandstand’, with seating for 4,500 and standing room for another 15,000. This plan was rejected, but a scheme to build the third, and current, Kelvingrove Bandstand was approved.
The new venue was built in 1924 by the Glasgow Corporation Parks Department. It opened in May 1925 and provided entertainment throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
As television became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, regular concerts came to an end. Youth counter-culture then gave the bandstand a new lease of life – a ‘Ban the Bomb’ anti-nuclear demonstration brought together 2,000 people.
Rock and pop music burst onto the bandstand in 1965 when one of Glasgow’s top acts, The Jaygars, took to its stage.
Kelvingrove Bandstand then became famous for pop music festivals such as Radio Clyde’s first Kelvingrove Free Music Festival in 1978.
After the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s faded, the venue was threatened with closure in 1992 before being saved by a local community campaign.
In the following years, however, Kelvingrove Bandstand fell into disrepair. When the venue was forced to close in 1999, it was repeatedly vandalised and its condition was described as ‘critical’ by the Scottish Buildings at Risk Register.
A plan to refurbish the facility was then developed by a partnership involving Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, which secured £2.1 million of development funding.
Work began in August 2013 to ensure the project was complete in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow band Belle and Sebastian performed the first gig at the newly restored Kelvingrove Bandstand in July 2014. Within five years, it had hosted performances by the likes of Steve Earle, The Waterboys, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Primal Scream, Eddi Reader, Texas, Pixies, KT Tunstall and The Human League.
In recent times, the bandstand has welcomed Belinda Carlisle, Happy Mondays, Anastacia, Del Amitri, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Sugababes, among others.
The Category B-listed building is the only original bandstand left in Glasgow and seats up to 3,000 people.
Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “Kelvingrove Bandstand is an iconic and central part of Glasgow’s cultural past, present and future. The bandstand has hosted so many legendary concerts and events over the last 100 years, which have earned it a reputation at home and abroad as a truly special live music and entertainment venue. It is fitting that the public will be able to enjoy more live music at Kelvingrove Bandstand and learn about the venue’s incredible history in celebration of its centenary year.”
Anyone who would like to submit photographs of or videos taken at the Kelvingrove Bandstand to the Kelvingrove Bandstand 100th anniversary webpage can email copies to amcv@glasgowlife.org.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Six by Nico transforms your meal into a mission, and every guest into an explorer
Building on the success of its immersive experiences, Six by Nico is set to take diners on an adventure across the Six Wonders of the World!
READ MORE
Returning to The Pavilion after two previous sellout runs!
The Irish play described by audiences as the finest, funniest, most heart-breaking piece of theatre they've ever seen returns to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Pull&Bear debuts first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Spanish fashion label Pull&Bear has joined the line-up at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn, marking the brand’s Glasgow debut and second store in Scotland.
READ MORE
WestFest is back for its third annual festival this June!
WestFest, Glasgow's biggest community led, cultural festival today launches the programme for its 2025 event!
READ MORE
The Scottish Rum Festival returns to Glasgow to celebrate its 5th anniversary
The Scottish Rum Festival is delighted to announce its return to Glasgow, marking a special milestone – five years since the festival first launched as a virtual celebration in 2020.
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Five things to do at the Glasgow Coffee Festival
Gill McIntyre, Glasgow Coffee Festival's Specialist & Event Coordinator, shares her can't miss moments ahead of this year's event!
READ MORE
Outstanding Achievement awarded to actress Elaine C Smith at The Pantomime Awards 2025
Elaine C Smith picked up the illustrious award for her exceptional contribution to the Pantomime Industry for many decades as one of Scotland's best-loved pantomime legends.
READ MORE
Glasgow to welcome new West End Champagne bar
Cuvée, a new Champagne, wine and cheese bar is set to open in Glasgow’s West End at the end of April.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
Hop Into an EGGceptional Easter at Gravity Active
This Easter, get ready to bounce into an unforgettable adventure at Gravity Active.
READ MORE
A festival for tiny tots is coming to Glasgow this Summer
A festival for Glasgow's littlest revellers is launching this summer, and it's set to be a treat for the whole family!
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort announces Easter weekend opening hours and holiday fun for families
Glasgow Fort has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment throughout the school holidays!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co. brings bold flavours and big heart to 850th celebrations
Rickshaw & Co., a vibrant Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Glasgow's West End, is proudly taking part in the city's 850th anniversary celebrations as a must-visit destination for food.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two wine dinners with legendary Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights only next month.
READ MORE
Shop perfectly imperfect art and craft this weekend at The Briggait
Glasgow's creatives are having a studio clear out ahead of the Spring Clean Artists and Makers Market this weekend; a unique shopping experience with a focus on seconds and samples.
READ MORE
Black Sheep Coffee brews up excitement with new store opening at Silverburn
Silverburn, Glasgow's leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that Black Sheep Coffee has opened its doors, serving as a sanctuary for coffee lovers.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort launches search for Chief Fun Officer
Glasgow Fort is on the hunt for its first-ever CFO... and it's not Chief Finance Officer but Chief Fun Officer!
READ MORE
Iconic singer songwriter Horse to perform spectacular rooftop set at the Pavilion Theatre on Monday 7th April
Legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald is set to deliver an unforgettable performance on top of the Pavilion Theatre on Monday 7th April.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORE
First Bus to improve reliability of over 30 Glasgow bus services thanks to AI
First Bus is making minor service updates to 33 routes across Glasgow from Sunday 20th April as its new AI-driven timetables continue to improve reliability for customers across the city.
READ MORE
June dates now on sale for Bongos Bingo, including 90s specials!
Expect all of the usual madness plus special themed prizes and music at Bongo's Bingo's 90s specials at SWG3 Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
HARIBO UK announces first Scottish retail store in Silverburn shopping centre
Scottish HARIBO-lovers are in for a treat! The UK’s leading confectionery manufacturer, and creator of Tangfastics and Starmix, is set to open its first retail store in Scotland.
READ MORE
The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MORE
American BBQ legend and first Arab pitmaster both set to cook in Scotland for the first time
Pioneering pitmaster Pat Martin is coming to Glasgow as Meatopia makes its Scottish debut at SWG3 in June!
READ MORE
Taste the Place launches to celebrate culinary heritage of Glasgow
Taste the Place, a new range of experiences celebrating Glasgow's rich cultural heritage through food, has launched!
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces record breaking statistics as festival draws to a close
Glasgow International Comedy Festival welcomed over 61,000 comedy fans to 605 shows this year, marking its biggest ever event!
READ MORE
Premium menswear brand, Bee Inspired, confirmed for Silverburn
Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn has expanded its streetwear offering with the addition of globally recognised urban fashion brand, Bee Inspired.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links