Author: chemikscott

O2 ABC Glasgow – 21st February

Lost in France, directed by Dublin’s Niall McCann, documents the rise of the music scene in Glasgow in the 1990’s & the founding of Chemikal Underground Records. The film features artists such as Arab Strap, Bis, Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai, The Delgados and many other seminal bands involved in the scene at the time.

This intimate documentary explores friendship, creativity and music and explores the rise of this Glaswegian music scene, revisiting a defining, chaotic trip to France in the musicians’ early careers. Featuring a stunning mix of live performances and frequently hilarious interviews, the film reunites key label personnel in an intimate exploration of friendship, memory and making music.

The screening will be followed by an exclusive live music performance to be simulcast across the UK &Ireland at various cinemas, with Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand), Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai), RM Hubbert, Emma Pollock and Paul Savage (The Delgados) reuniting on stage as they did during the filming while revisiting the festival site in Mauron, France.

The O2 ABC event is now sold out, however all is not lost as you can watch the film at various cinemas around the UK & Ireland on the same day with the live O2 ABC performance being simulcast directly to the cinemas following the screening. Check out the link here for details of all cinemas showing the film & gig on the 21st February.

If you fancy reading a bit more about the film then check out this great article from The List. 

We are delighted to see this year’s Celtic Connections Festival feature a good number of performances from the Chemikal Underground stable. Aidan Moffat, RM Hubbert, Emma Pollock & Rick Redbeard all take to the stage in a variety of shows, some collaborative and some of a much more intimate nature; all of them well worth tracking down.

We kick off on the 22nd January with Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert – unfortunately not as part of the same gig however so a difficult choice straight away.

Aidan Moffat appears at the Old Fruitmarket with The Where You’re Meant To Be Ceilidh with Aidan Moffat and Guests performing a live version of the film soundtrack including the original touring band that feature in the film itself, a screening of which will also be announced soon as part of the festival. Keep your eyes peeled for that too as it’s a wonderful watch.

RM Hubbert brings a very intimate solo show to the festival, also on the 22nd January at The Hug & Pint on Great Western Road. Expect songs from 2016’s Telling The Trees long player to feature in the set as well as choice pickings from his extensive back catalogue. If you fancy a wee taster check out the video below for the single Probably Will/Probably Do featuring Sarah J Stanley.

Emma Pollock is next up and features as part of the Roaming Roots Revue: The Women of Song at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on the 28th January and celebrates that rich seam of song written by female songwriters over the decades.  The event is curated & performed by Roddy Hart and backed by his Lonesome Fire lineup. Expect to hear some great covers of artists such as Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Blondie, Dolly Parton and Kate Bush. Alongside Emma the show will also feature guest artists such as Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue), Sarah Jarosz, Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit) , Kathryn Joseph, Jesca Hoop, Field Music & Rory Butler to name a few.

Bringing the curtain down on Chemikal artists at this year’s festival is Rick Redbeard. Rick features in the show Old Roots New Shoots at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on the 3rd February which shines a light on the North-East of Scotland’s musical heritage. A diverse array of artists from the region will be performing both re-imagined traditional songs and original material, with Old Blind Dogs as house band.