Introducing the Glaswegian Record Fair

Much more than your average crate-digging experience, the first-ever Glaswegian Record Fair is all about celebrating Glasgow’s unique grassroots music scene. An independent label market, live music experience and ‘meet-and-greet’ all rolled into one, the all-day event is the brainchild of Elina Lin, the vocalist and guitarist in local four-piece The Ninth Wave, who scored the accolade of Best Newcomer at last year’s SAMA Awards.

“I’m in a band myself,” explains Lin, “and we self-released our first record and I know a lot of bands that do cassettes and physical releases, and you don’t really have a place to sell them, apart from your own gigs. A lot of people ask me ‘can I buy your cassette, can I buy your t-shirt?,’ and you just have to say ‘you can either buy them online or come to our gig.’

“I feel like there’s a lack of an outlet for these kind of bands,” she continues, “because there are so many bands who self-release in Glasgow, we have such a strong DIY culture. I wanted to give these bands a place to network, and to meet fans in person. We wanted an event to celebrate all this amazing music that we have – that’s where the idea came from.”

With the event operating on a ‘split level’ approach across the afternoon and evening, the free-entry, daytime side will bring together more than a dozen independent Glasgow record labels, and Lin agrees that many people may be unaware of just how many quality local imprints the city has to offer. “I think it will be a good way for people to know more about these labels. Dead Beet Records, for example – the people who run it, they’re not like big business people who’ve got tons of money behind them. It’s all kind of DIY – these labels are all just run by people who put out music because they want to, for the love of the music.”

In the evening, there’s the chance to hear live sets from some of Scotland’s best up-and-coming bands, with Catholic Action, Sweaty Palms and The Van T's performing special sets for the event. “I wanted to get bands who you’ve not seen doing a more stripped-back set,” explains Lin. “I wanted to have something kind of exclusive for this event, and I’ve personally not seen any of these bands do that. I think it will be something a bit different, and something that people will want to see.

“I’ve got a lot of bands directly involved," Lin continues. "It’s not just the bands who are playing – there’s going to be around ten bands who will have merch stalls upstairs in the evening too.” So far exciting rising talents LUCIA, The Bellybuttons and Breakfast MUFF have been announced, with more to be revealed in the lead up to the event.

With an admirable ethos in tough economic times, all of the proceeds raised will go towards covering the costs of the event and directly to the bands performing on the night. As Lin puts it: “you can support a band so much just by buying a t-shirt. You don’t think it, but it actually helps so much. And it’s so much more personal – it’s nice for the bands to meet their fans, and the fans to meet the bands, and for them to actually make a personal connection.

“That’s one thing that doesn’t happen as much anymore,” she adds, “and it’s crucial for bands to have that, because people won’t keep buying your stuff and coming to your gigs if they don’t feel like they’re involved in it. I feel like it’s something that if you establish it in a really early stage, you’ll get people who will support you to the end.”

Fostering the community-minded scene that Glasgow is renowned for, the event also captures the spirit of the ongoing vinyl revival and offers music lovers the chance to snap up a tangible release from their favourite local group. “There’s the demand for vinyl – even Tesco are selling vinyl now!," proclaims Lin. "It’s become really mainstream. It’s a good time for this kind of event, because we don’t know how long this vinyl revival thing will last. It might just be a trend that will pass, but we better make the most of it now while it’s happening.

“Especially when you’re starting a band," she continues, "if you design a really distinctive sleeve or album art, you tie that in with the whole kind of aesthetic that you’re trying to get across. It has a lot more impact than just ‘go listen to our song on Soundcloud!’”

The Glaswegian Record Fair promises to be an event that brings together both musicians and music fans alike, creating the opportunity “for people to come and meet their favourite bands, chat to them, or get a vinyl and have it signed – then one day when that band is massive they can say, ‘I got this record ten years ago!’” Lin sums up with a laugh. 

“We’re not going to help ourselves by competing against each other," Lin concludes, "because the music industry is so competitive. We need a safety net. The event is just about celebrating the music – at the end of the day we’re all doing the same thing.”

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The Glaswegian Record Fair takes place at The Old Hairdresser's on Saturday 4 March from 1-11pm (free entry before 6pm / £3 advance / £5 on the door)