Bandstand tuning up to be used again

There is new hope that Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre will be revived in time to be used during the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

As the Easter holiday started, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust announced that their long-running campaign to restore the venue had passed Round 1 of the Heritage Lottery Fund process. Said Anne McChlery, Director at the Trust: ‘A first-round pass means the project meets criteria for funding. We believe it has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. We now have up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award.’

The Trust and its partners – Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Architectural Heritage Fund, Friends of Kelvingrove Park and the local community – have development funding to cover draft design costs for this stage. During 2012, the project team will be concentrating on refining the design proposals and fundraising to secure the estimated £1.4million to bring this historic and social landmark back to life. But it is ‘full of asbestos’ said Anne, so that has to be removed before further checks on the building structure can be made.

Said Anne: ‘We are keen to record people’s memories of the bandstand as it was an important cultural venue. Initially designed for brass bands in the 1920s it was well used up till about 1999 when Radio Clyde had majour groups there. It even hosted poll tax demonstrations! We want to capture that cultural heritage and welcome anyone with memories and pictures to come and share them with us.’ The project Design Team comprises: Page/Park architects; nbm cost consultants; SKM structural engineers; Harley Haddow services engineer.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage assets and has invested over £536 million in Scotland.

Girlband are in Demand!

by Lynsay Keough

Bauer Media is thrilled to announce The Saturdays have been confirmed in the line-up for In:Demand Live, at the SECC on Saturday 31 July.

They will join JLS, Alexandra Burke, Diana Vickers, Tinchy Stryder, Alesha Dixon, Professor Green, The Hoosiers, Example, Alex Gardner, Fugative, Eliza Doolittle, Basshunter, Beat Bullyz PLUS, new boyband The Wanted and Scots newcomer Carrie Mac.

The Saturdays are currently working on their third studio album, to be released later this year and their 8th single “Missing You” is scheduled for release on the 8th August.

From the same management stable are The Wanted.  Signed to Geffen, their forthcoming single ‘All Time Low’ garnered over 150,000 hits on You Tube in the first two days it went online and is set to be released at end of July .

Fans can also experience the Entertainment Zone where there will be a Silent Disco. Everyone is given a set of wireless headphones to listen to the music which is being played simultaneously on two separate channels by two DJs. Dancers can switch from one channel to the other, which makes for a very interesting experience as everyone dances to a different beat! The infamous Karaoke Stage, which will run throughout the day, is where judges will be listening out for the best performer who will then win the chance to sing in front of the 9,000 strong In:Demand Live crowd! They will perform on the main stage just before the closing act. There will also be an interactive Game Station Area with large-scale video games challenges and numerous Wii stations with favourites like ‘Rock Band’ and ‘Guitar Hero’. Everyone can check out each other’s moves on the giant dance simulator which is projected onto a big screen for all to see! There will also be plenty of merchandise, food and drink stalls.

Siobhán Crampsey of event organisers, Bauer Media said: ”Following hot on the heels of announcing the biggest boy band in Britain, JLS, for In:Demand Live – it’s fantastic to now add the country’s hottest girl band, The Saturdays. We’re also delighted to welcome newcomers The Wanted to the event….no doubt the female population of Scotland will welcome them with open arms! We wanted to make In:Demand Live more than just a concert so the Entertainment Zone – in Hall 3 of the SECC right beside the main arena – is a great addition. We know how Scots love to karaoke and it’s exciting to give someone the chance to then sing on the main stage alongside big names such as JLS and Alexandra Burke. Most attractions in this area will be free so – if you can tear yourself away from all the music main action that’s going on in the arena – you can also dance, sing or game at any point throughout the day.’
In:Demand Live has evolved from ‘In:Demand’ which is hosted by Romeo, and broadcast (weeknights 7-10pm) on Clyde 1.
Tickets for In Demand Live – priced £25 + booking fee – are available on www.ticketsoup.com, www.gigsinscotland.com or via the SECC ticket hotline on 0844 395 4000. For more details and regular updates on In:Demand Live log onto www.indemandlive.co.uk