01 June 08

City Focus

City Focus Glasgow

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Citylives GLASGOW

MUTLEY, DIRECTOR SWG3
Check out Glasgow’s thriving cultural scene next time you hit town

“I may be a native Glaswegian, but after spells living in Aberdeen and Edinburgh I can honestly say that Glasgow is the most creative and artistically vibrant city in Scotland. Don’t get me wrong, Edinburgh is great, but it’s more into preserving culture than creating it.

“I went to art school in Aberdeen, yet since moving back home five years ago I realised that I enjoyed helping to foster and promote art more than creating my own visual arts. While promoting one-off club nights, I discovered a unique venue in a rundown part of the city and have not looked back since. Today, we have over 30 artists working in our studios at the SWG3 Studio Warehouse. Glasgow is nothing if not eclectic, and we have many disparate talents working here from photographers and sculptors through to bands and breakdancers. If you are in the city and want to check us out just give us a call. We also stage regular cultural nights and live music.

“Glasgow these days is quite a well developed brand, but I recommend people also get off the beaten track and don’t just shop on Buchanan Street and go to the obvious bars. I prefer smaller clothes stores in the West End, and bars to look out for include the Flying Duck, Stereo, and Mono. The Sub Club is one mainstream club that has stood the test of time, while the Brunswick Hotel has to be the only place daft and eccentric enough to have had a DJ playing a set in their tiny lift. But you can catch new and exciting bands all over the place. We’ve just released the debut album by local band Popup and they are brilliant – sharp, irreverent and deeply Glaswegian.

“If you need a break from the city, head out into the inspiring countryside. Loch Lomond is scenic, but too busy for me – I prefer the Kyles of Bute, a lovely escape where I can re-focus before heading back into the Glaswegian creative mayhem.”