Chemikal Underground's East End Social will feature RM Hubbert, Neu! Reekie! and more
A look at the upcoming East End Social events promoted by Chemikal Underground, featuring gigs by RM Hubbert, Neu! Reekie! and Mungo's Hi-Fi, and a diverse programme of events, workshops and parties in Glasgow's East End
Celebrated Glasgow label Chemikal Underground have been planning the East End Social project for some time – a part of the Culture 2014 programme connected to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year, the project is a hybrid of musical performances, community engagement and specialised workshops and events happening across Glasgow's East End from April onwards, in the run-up to the Games.
Highlights announced today include a gig from SAY Award-winner RM Hubbert, who will be performing at Rutherglen Town Hall on 8 August, playing tracks from Breaks & Bone and the award-winning Thirteen Lost & Found. On 19 July, cross-platform spoken word, film and music showcase Neu! Reekie will be coming to Platform in Easterhouse for a very special one-off event, featuring a yet-to-be-announced lineup of performers joined by the Neu! Reekie! hosts, rebel publisher Kevin Williamson and acclaimed poet Michael Pedersen.
Other events include a carnivalesque reggae and dub outing featuring Mungo's Hi-Fi and the legendary Tippa Irie and dancehall star YT – the Glasgow soundsystem will be joining the celebrations at Alexandra Park's Gala Day on 21 June. Another musical highlight sees seminal band The Nectarine No. 9 play their 1995 album Saint Jack in full at Rutherglen Town Hall on 7 June, in an event presented in association with vital indie label Creeping Bent, with support from Casual Sex.
That's just the tip of a rather large iceberg, with the UK debut of Ghanian street-folk artist King Ayisoba on 10 April at Platform, with support from Zea and Sacred Paws; two outings at the East End Social Tea Dance on 3 and 4 May at the Barrowlands with classic ballroom music from That Swing Sensation; traditional New Orleans jazz from celebrated jazz combo and King Tut's regulars Penman's Jazzmen on 20 and 25 July at The Bowler's Bar in Bridgeton; and everything from pop-up performances to DJ sets, and from pub quizzes to choral displays at the Duke Street Expo on 31 May, with the bars, cafes and shops of Duke Street flinging wide their doors to welcome all comers.
There are more shows and events still to be announced, with Vic Galloway set to host a series of intimate gigs in Bowler's Bar, Bridgeton featuring a host of well-known and up-and-coming names. The East End Social will also be engaging with schools, community organisations, and care home Carmichael House to curate a programme of workshops, local tea dances and educational events – have a look at the East End Social website for more details, and keep your eyes on The Skinny for news about specific events as they are announced.