Barrowland Doors Open

A couple of weeks ago I was one of the 120 lucky souls who manged to get on The Barrowland Doors Open day for 2024. Once a year the doors are thrown open and those fortunate enough to secure a ticket get to see inside one of the truly great venues, a venue shrouded in history and through whose doors so many legends have walked. 

The tour was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. Our tour guide Andy imparted so much knowledge about the history of The Barrowland from its inception in 1934, the opening of the current venue in the 60's (after a fire ravaged the original venue) and its current status as a venue for gigs. The stories were a joy to hear and made you think of all the legends that have walked these corridors and played on that stage.

I feel so privileged to have seen so many wonderful gigs here over the years, since first walking through those famous doors in 1986 to see The Cramps on their Date With Elvis tour. Some of the greatest gig nights I've had have been in this place and thankfully bands are still playing here and I've lost none of my enthusiasm and love of going to see live music (especially here). This coming week I will be there to see The Jesus and Mary Chain again, almost 40 years after first seeing seeing them grace that world famous Gallowgate stage.

On the tour you got to see the dressing rooms (accompanied by some great stories about the likes of Lemmy and Shane MacGowan) and to stand on that hallowed stage. This was literally a dream come true for me, especially when you realise that you are standing on the same stage that the likes of David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Terry Hall have stood on. To see The Specials on that stage is something I will never forget, Terry was my first musical hero and they were the band I always wanted to see at The Barrowland and had the honour of doing just that. 

It was just sheer luck that I was one of the fortunate ones this year that got on the tour, I can't recommend it highly enough for those who have the same fortune as myself. 

I hope and pray that The Barrowland is there for many year to come and that future generations get to spend at least one night in this incredible venue. 

Long live The Barrowland, the greatest of venues.