Historic Oran Mor

Motto by Scottish artist Alasdair Gray

Emeli Sande

The Oran Mor sits at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western road. It is one of the most iconic converted churches and is lit up at night in soft blues and gold. The upstairs auditorium is often hired for weddings and provides a perfect setting for many world class bands. 

Downstairs is The Venue where I have attended many unforgettable gigs – such as Emeli Sande back in 2007, when she was known as Adele and well before she was famous and five years before the release of her top selling album Our Version of Events. She had a wonderful voice but I never quite imagined one day she might be singing at the Olympic Games! I heard Emeli again here n 2012 when I first heard her wonderful new songs for her hit album….

I have also seen fun bands here, such as Broken Records, Head and Heart and The Low Anthem when I got some of my best ever images - as well as many top singer songwriters.  

The Venue is small, characterful and cosy and a place you can get engrossed in the performances.  

Broken Records

The Head and Heart

Scottish female singer songwriters

Julie Fowlis

Karen Matheson

Karine Polwart

Emeli Sande

Eddi Reader

Here are my favourite Scottish female singer songwriters - Eddi Reader, Emeli Sande, Karine Polwart, Karen Matheson, Julie Fowlis - all very different and very special in their own unique ways. I have been to several concerts by all of them. They are also successful in different areas of music.  I have also seen some young new female singer songwriters here - Kate Tough, Genesee, Rachel Sermanni, Katie Sutherland. 

Please respect my copyright. Thanks. 

Sandy Bells Bar

Sandy Bells, Forrest Road Edinburgh is a place that attracts traditional Scottish musicians.  I used to frequent the bar many moons ago when I dated a folk guitarist. It opened my experience to the live music scene and to unaccompanied singing and harmony singing. I remember evenings there with energetic fiddles, guitars and banjoes playing those foot stomping reels and jigs. Wonderful memories. The Scottish poet Hamish Henderson and traditional folk guitarist Dick Gaughan used to go there. I took these shots one evening during a more recent trip to Edinburgh.

Your Disco Needs You - The Musical rehearsals

Great fun at "Your Disco Needs You - The Musical" rehearsals! Looking forward to the show at the Mitchell theatre Glasgow 24th, 25th, 26th October 2014. I have followed the show from idea to the stage which has been very interesting - so much goes into a great musical!!  The story has been written by Anita Neilson and the music has been beautifully scored scored around Kylie Minogue songs by music director Derek Allan.

This show has a quality cast with many talented stars; expressive and colourful costumes; an emotive story with those highs and lows expressed through songs and dance.  Well worth seeing!