What's On Scotland 19-26 Apr: Glasgow International

Glasgow's biennial visual arts festival, Glasgow International kicks off this weekend with more art than you can shake a stick at. Plus, Record Store Day, Wide Days, Anna Morris and more...

Feature by Nadia Younes | 19 Apr 2018

Glasgow International is back for another year and will run until 7 May, taking over just about every art venue in Glasgow with 90 exhibitions and over 80 events from 268 artists, i.e. lots of #art.

Like previous years, the festival will also continue to utilise unusual and occasionally otherwise inaccessible venues and places outside of the city centre, with a large commission in the East End in Dalmarnock by Mick Peter and a collaborative project by Graham Eatough and Stephen Sutcliffe in Govan, to name a few.

We spoke to GI's new Director Richard Parry last month about his takes on the exhibiting artists and his new life in Glasgow, while this month we met 25 of the artists and curators taking part in this year's festival. And to make sure you get the most out of GI's opening weekend, we've put together a guide to the previews, and where to get all the free booze.

Lucy Dacus
The Hug and Pint, Glasgow. 20 Apr, 7.30pm
‘Am I a masochist resisting urges to punch you in the teeth / Call you a bitch and leave?’ is an example of the kind of masterful and honest lyrics you can expect from Lucy Dacus. Her second album Historian is an utter delight and her show tomorrow night is sure to be nothing short of magical. Image: Dustin Condren

Ought
Stereo, Glasgow. 22 Apr, 7pm
Room Inside the World – the third album from Montreal outfit Ought – is one of the highlights of 2018 so far, with Tim Darcy and co blending restraint and patience with their usual post-punk fervour. Find out how it translates to a live setting at Stereo on Sunday – we expect pretty well. Support comes from Leeds indie trio Drahla. Image: Jenna Ledger


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ADVERTISEMENT | Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, until 29 Apr
The iconic Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is now in its final fortnight at the National Museum of Scotland. Taking over the museum’s largest exhibition gallery for the first time, this is your chance to see 100 awe-inspiring images showcasing the very best in nature photography and the incredible diversity of life on Earth. On loan from London’s Natural History Museum, the exhibition closes in Edinburgh on 29 April. Don’t miss out – book now. Image: Marco Urso

Record Store Day
Various venues across Scotland. 21 Apr, times vary
It's time for your annual obscene vinyl splurge; that's right, it's Record Store Day on Saturday. To save you searching, we've put together a guide to the Record Store Day 2018 events happening across the country. Highlights include Kathryn Joseph (pictured) at VoxBox Music in Edinburgh, Virginia Wing at Monorail Music in Glasgow and Savage Mansion pretty much everywhere. Image: Kat Gollock

Wide Days
Various venues, Edinburgh. 20 Apr, times vary
Wide Days returns for its eighth year, bringing together members of the Scottish music industry through a range of networking events and seminars by music industry professionals. This year’s live music showcases include performances from the likes of Zoe Graham, LUCIA and Rascalton, with an after party at The Mash House headlined by Glasgow producer Wuh Oh (pictured). Image: Amy Muir

Anna Morris: Bitchelors
The Stand, Glasgow. 25 Apr, 7.30pm
Character comedian Anna Morris brings her 2017 Edinburgh Fringe show Bitchelors for another jaunt up North, in Glasgow on Wednesday and Edinburgh the night before. Taking on the character of the newly single Georgina Francis hosting The Woman of the Year Awards, the show also sees Morris reprising some of her favourite other characters. Image: Idil Sukan

Other Music Festival
Various venues, Aberdeen. 19-22 Apr, prices vary
A cross-cultural and diverse selection of contemporary folk, jazz, rap, literature, spoken word and music from around the world and locally are set to head to Aberdeen for the Other Music Festival this weekend. Make sure to catch the Bollywood Brass Band (pictured) – a London-based, ten-piece brass and drum-driven band playing hits from the Bollywood film tradition – at The Lemon Tree on Sunday night.

Girls to the Front
Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh. 21 Apr, 7pm
A feminist punk and rock festival – need we say more? Well we will, because Girls to the Front is worth shouting about. An annual two-day event held in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, the festival aims to promote women within punk and rock music. This year's Edinburgh line-up includes music from Petrol Girls, Yur Mum and B-Trash, as well as a variety of stalls. Image: Still Burning Photography

We Should Hang Out More – Honey Dijon
Sub Club, Glasgow. 20 Apr, 11pm
There aren't many DJs around with the kind of old-school Chicago house credentials that Honey Dijon boasts. Hailing from the Windy City, she counts Derrick Carter as an early influence, and a close friend. A vocal advocate for LGBT+ rights, her sets blend a hugely dynamic personality across multiple music genres – her Boiler Room set from Melbourne's Sugar Mountain festival back in January is a must-see.


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