Sauchiehall Street Music Day 2026

The Sauchiehall Street: Culture and Heritage District are excited to present a full day of music and culture on Sauchiehall Street.

Music is integral to the social and cultural fabric of Sauchiehall Street. The street’s bars and venues, past and present, have been a legendary melting pot for musicians, artists and creatives - from grassroots gigs to world renowned concert performances, and everything in between.

The Sauchiehall Street Music Day celebrates this legacy with a line-up of local grassroots bands, student performances and residents across two stages.

Outdoor performances are free and unticketed - all welcome!

We will also have music activations in shops on the street - taking music instore - as well as a Night-time archive drop in at Edward House.

As part of the day, PCL Presents - the organisers of Cowgate Block Party - are taking over Nice N Sleazy from 4.30 - 10.30pm to celebrate emerging artists and the best new local bands. Head below for more details and a link to tickets.

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.

SAUCHIEHALL STREET STAGE (BY WEST CAMPBELL ST)
Programmed by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Nice N Sleazy 

13:00: Introduction

13:10: Starsky-Rae

14:00: The Zoe Downs Quartet

14:50: TOO RED

15:40: Awen Ensemble

16:30: Garúa Tango Club

17:20: Alcatraz

GARNETHILL STAGE (IN GARNETHILL PARK)
Programmed by local musician Samhuinn Watt

12:00: Introduction

12:10: DOVIRA

13:00: Roofcats

13:50: Belal Saleh

14:40: Jude Williams & Friends

15:30: Erskine Tunstall & Nicky Murray

16:20: The Whistlebinkies

13:00 - 14:00 Admiral Fallow at Assai Records - stripped back performance

12:00 - 17:00: Glasgow Piano Project at Savoy Centre - from casual front-room players, to professional pianists - all levels are invited to have a go on a pop up piano until 

12:00 - 17:00: Archive Drop in at Edward House - bring your old gig tickets, merchandise and stories linking to nightlife, bars and gigs on Sauchiehall Street to share with the team. 

Alcatraz

Alcatraz are an alternative rock band based in Glasgow. Inspired by artists such as The Mysterines, Kasabian, Fat Dog, Queens of the Stone Age and The Prodigy.

Since their debut in September 2024, Alcatraz have played 4 King Tut's shows, 3 all-day festivals (Houseguest, Tenement Trail and Fheadain), Belladrum festival and a gig in the capital. As well as many other shows in Glasgow's most infamous venues.

With 3 singles released, the band's sonic evolution is prominent, and as they are now solidified as a 6-piece, after a few line-up changes, their sound and style have continued to grow.

Garúa Tango Club

Garúa Tango Club was founded in 2023 led by Santiago Gil Duarte and a group of students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with the aim of developing the Tango scene in the UK and creating bonds between Argentine and Scottish culture. They pride themselves on being the only active ensemble in Scotland that is pushing the limits of the Tango genre while maintaining the roots of tradition. 

Their name is from the classic Tango ‘Garúa’ by Aníbal Troilo. The word itself is Argentine slang, or lunfardo, describing a thin drizzly rain - the perfect way of tying cultures together and celebrating the beauty which can be found in melancholy, nostalgia and greyness. 

Awen Ensemble

Awen Ensemble is a Glasgow based a cappella vocal group comprising of singers who met during their studies at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The ensemble frequently performs as an octet, with a focus on programming new music by student and staff composers at the RCS. More recently, they began working as an upper voices quartet featuring singers Gabrielle McCann, Eilidh Bisset, Naomi Fester and Mollie Quinn. Recent highlights of the Awen Ensemble include a lunchtime concert at BBC Pacific Quay, An Evening of Ballet and Song, and joining Paisley Philharmonic Choir as soloists for their spring concert of Haydn's Creation.

Too Red

Too Red are a high-energy rock duo from Glasgow, Scotland, made up of Darcy Brook (vocals, guitar) and Emily Irving (drums, vocals). The band have built a reputation for electrifying live shows and a sound that fuses hard-hitting rock, metal, and modern alternative influences. Combining massive guitar tones, hard hitting drums, and layered synth textures, Too Red deliver a wall of sound that feels far bigger than the sum of it’s parts.

Over the past year, Too Red have continued to build momentum, playing King Tut’s supporting The Haunt, Nice N’ Sleazy alongside Nameless Friends, and venues such as Classic Grand and Rocco’s Music Lounge. They are now set to release their new EP ‘SKIN’.

As an all-female/ queer duo, Too Red stand for inclusivity, energy, and connection. Every show is a shared experience, a space where fans from all backgrounds can come together and feel the raw passion of live music. With new music coming quickly and an unstoppable drive, Too Red are a band you won’t forget.

The Zoe Downs Quartet

The Zoe Downs Quartet is a jazz group from Glasgow, who met in their studies on the jazz course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Coming by the vibrant jazz scene in Glasgow, they play a mix of contemporary jazz and folk influenced jazz, ranging from Zoe’s original compositions to the band’s favourite jazz tunes, taking inspiration from musicians such as Joshua Redman, Kenny Garett and Walter Smith III. They recently played at Aberdeen Jazz festival, and earlier in the year, they played a sold out gig at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh. The band consists of Zoe Downs on tenor sax, Ashwari Panesar on double bass, Ben Maddox on piano and Finlay Morgan on drums.

Starsky-Rae

Starsky-Rae is a singer/songwriter and producer. His last album featured heavy electronic influence but has been shifting recently to a more jazzy acoustic sound. Writing songs with themes centred around thing like relationships, addiction, angst - he will present a bunch of new tunes with a really cool band.

The Whistlebinkies

The Whistlebinkies have thrilled audiences around the world—from the USA to China—but are particularly at home in Glasgow, where the group was formed. They performed many times at the Third Eye Centre at the foot of Garnethill, and Eddie taught flute at Garnethill School. Audiences can enjoy their unique blend of instruments: concertina (Stuart Eydmann), fiddles (Anna Louise Wallace & Mark Hayward), percussion (Peter Anderson), Celtic harp (Karen Marshalsay), and flute & piccolo (Eddie McGuire). Their albums can be heard on the Greentrax and Claddagh labels, as well as other recordings on Bandcamp, Rare Tunes and Mode Records. They can also be followed on Facebook.

Erskine Tunstall & Nicky Murray

Former Garnethill resident Erskine Tunstall returns to the place where his artistic journey began, performing at the GSA Union and hosting the legendary Groovejam Sessions. He has since garnered international acclaim as bassist and co-producer for the award‑winning Langan Band, alongside diverse projects including Romany Jazz and Turkish Folk. At this event, he returns to his piping roots, displaying mastery of both small and border pipes.

Nicky Murray is an exceptional Glasgow‑based “folk‑acoustic” singer‑songwriter and guitarist, known for intricate fingerpicking and strikingly authentic, raspy vocals. A former Artistic Director of Sofar Sounds Inverness, he has become a staple of BBC Scotland’s folk programming.

Jude Williams

Scotland‑born RAM graduate Jude Williams has built a vast and varied career in the performing arts and has called Garnethill home for 15 years. Community, courage, creativity and connection are key cornerstones of her work. She has co‑created and performed in Chunky Jewellery (Barrowland Ballet), performed in the solo show Orlando (Theatre Cryptic), and appeared as a vocalist in air falbh leis na h‑eòin – Away with the Birds (Hanna Tuulikki) and at the Glasgow Jazz Festival. She is co‑founder of Home from Home and Join the Dots (The Letter J), with whom she created The Red Shoes, Grandad and Me and Winter Wonders. She is also a celebrant with A Quiet Revolution and is training as a life coach.
www.judewilliams.co.uk
Photo credit: curse these eyes

Belal Saleh

Belal Saleh is a Palestinian oud player and vocalist based in Glasgow, dedicated to introducing Palestinian and Arabic music to wider audiences while collaborating across diverse musical styles and backgrounds. His work draws on traditional repertoire alongside contemporary influences, and he has performed and led choirs, sharing both classical and modern pieces.

Roofcats

ROOFCATS are a Glasgow‑based band blending raw storytelling with high‑energy, spontaneous live shows. Drawing from early R&B, blues and folk traditions—with flashes of Motown, dub and jazz—their sound is driven by contrasting old‑soul voices and timeless songwriting that feels both playful and sharply relevant. Their music nods to songs that have circulated for centuries, reimagined with wit, warmth and bite. The band formed while studying at Glasgow School of Art.

DOVIRA

DOVIRA, meaning “Trust” in English, is a choir performing traditional Ukrainian songs. They are a volunteer initiative within the DOVIRA project, bringing together members of the Ukrainian community in Glasgow. They have been practising for some time in the Garnethill Multicultural Centre and are delighted to showcase their music at this event.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575637097756