Glasgow Popfest 2011 kicks off this evening in the intimate setting of Heavenly and with a darling line up over four days this event is sure to blow you away, that’s if the weather doesn’t do it first.
The non-profit event has been organised for fans of indie pop music by fans themselves, so it’s no doubt set to impress in the city where the genre is at the heart of the music scene and arguably it found its roots.
Featuring bands from across the globe, 23 in total, the event aims to bring indie pop lovers from across the globe to Glasgow for and event full of wonderful live music and charming little surprises.
The event also features the world première of ‘Serious Drugs’ a film about BMX Bandits’ at the GFT, shown in conjunction with Glasgow Film Festival.
The film explores the band’s 25-year career and there’s a chance to witness part of it too as they feature as headliners on Sunday, closing the event in style.
The line up is quite special in itself, Saturday’s headliner Tender Trap, who feature members of some of the bands that are so inspirational and important to the indie pop movement, including the venue’s namesake Heavenly, bring a special moment for many in attendance as they treat us to material from 2010’s Dansette Dansette and more.
Friday’s headliners Amphetameanies mark their 14th year together featuring riotous nine-piece indie ska eccentrics and play on their new LP Revenge of the Meanies.
There’s also Cover Versions and Other Hits an exhibition by Manda Rin (Bis) running over the whole month across both Heavenly and the GFT.
There will also be a screening of a specially commissioned edit of the much loved BBC Scotland music series The Beat Room on Sunday at The GFT, featuring Suckle, Gentle Waves, The Delgados, Adventures in Stereo, The Pastels, The Starlets, Amphetameanies, bis, Urusei Yatsura, Gilded Lil, Eugenius, Bangtwister and Pink Kross.
The welcome party tonight at Heavenly is free and features a nice little bill to warm things up, featuring Park (Germany), Asleep (Norway), Cineplexx, The Understudies, with DJs Colour Me Pop (London) and Anaphylactic Pop with guests Tweendie (Paris) and Another Sunny Night (Paris).
Friday sees established local talent Manda Rin and The Rinettes and The Hardy Boys take the stage along with headliners Amphetameanies, while Spook School, Bubblegum Lemonade and The Starlets complete the bill.
DJs sets provided by Bubblegum, The Rescue Club and Popkiss! with guests Foolin’ Around.
Saturday sees more hot local talent in Nico’s Bike and the much-hyped Edinburgh School for the Deaf joining Tender Trap along with Standard Fare, The Hobbes Fanclub, Cola Jet Set (Spain), Westfield Mining Disaster and Zipper (Spain).
There will also be a vegan midnight feast served after Tender Trap and DJ action provided by Bubblegum, Dandelion Radio (Mark Whitby) and Hotwire with guests The Rescue Club and Colour Me Pop.
Sunday sees the festival wind down nicely as BMX Bandits are joined by Maple Leaves, The Electric Pop Group, Lenzie Moss and Baffin Island (Sweden) with DJs Fleapit Soundtrax and Foolin’ Around.
Glasgow Popfest 2011 will support Drake Music Scotland as its chosen charity.
Glasgow Popfest on facebook
Three day passes are sold out but you can buy day tickets here, £14/18/13, Fri/Sat/Sun.
Tickets for The World Premiere of Serious Drugs – The Film About BMX Bandits and Beat Room can be bought from The GFT.
Rave Child 