The Glasgow Music Scene, and Other Stories

Hello everyone!

Glasgow, as you may have heard, is quite the cultural center here in Scotland, particularly when it comes to music. We unfortunately missed the big Celtic Connections music convention earlier this year since most of the concerts and events were pretty expensive. We've also had a bit of trouble finding good and accessible live music. Usually, when we want to go out for music, we plan to go to a pub for dinner as well. Unfortunately, the vast majority of times we have tried, the pub in question may be closed, or it may be a bar only with no food, or there may be no available tables, or we may get lost (which doesn't happen as much as you might expect). We don't strike out every time, though.

A couple of weeks ago, we attended a concert put on through the National Piping Center, where I'm taking my bagpiping lessons. It was put on by the nascent Big Music Society, which derives its name from a genre of piping music - Ceol Mor, Gaelic for, yep, "Big Music." Also known as piobaireachd (or pibroch, if you prefer), you may remember the video I posted as an example last time I talk about bagpiping. Slow, majestic, rallying, moving, you might think that an entire night of piobaireachd bagpiping music sound unappealing. But this concert was absolutely amazing. The highland bagpipes were featured, of course, but was accompanied by a stunning string section (bass, cello, two violins) that managed to mesh with and even at times enhance the oft-overpowering and always enchanting pipes  It is hard to explain, but the music somehow felt really authentic, and the stories that were paired with the pieces really fit perfectly. Jessie and I felt an intimate, historical connection to the pieces performed.

It was a fairly formal event

We had the table closest to the stage

What Scottish experience is complete without Irn Bru?
(Note the Scotsman contemplating all things Irn Bru in the background)

We also finally managed to find some live and local pub music a few nights ago. A small Irish pub, Malone's is a bit off the beaten path in the city center. We found the pub in a monthly pamphlet which lists live music performances around the Glasgow area. We sat, and were very happy to have some great pub food. Around 9:00, we began to notice various instrument cases accumulating around the table in the center of the pub. Finally, the music began with a guitar, two fiddles, and a drum around 9:30, after the players had bought drinks and tuned up. It was good and simple folk music, and was really enjoyable. It was essentially a public jam session, but they were really good, and a flute joined in a little later.

Not so much related to music as to pubs and bars, it was of course St. Patrick's day recently. Jessie and I decided we'd take a break from our essays and go see what a Scottish St. Patrick's day was like. It wasn't as big a celebration as we expected, probably because it was a Tuesday evening, but we had a little fun. We had seen posters advertising St. Patrick's as "International Pretend-You-Like-Guinness Day," so I decided to try a half-pint. It actually was the best beer I've had (which is not saying much, you realize). Still nothing like cider, but I enjoyed it.

We also played some battleship, and, well, you guess the rest...

On the line of holidays, it is interesting to note that Scotland celebrates Mother's Day much earlier than America - March 15th. That explains why we saw so many guys walking around with big bouquets of flowers the few days before... 

Anyway, Jessie and I are nearing the end of our study abroad experience! This is our last week of classes. This Thursday is the beginning of our three-week spring break here at the University of Glasgow, during which Jessie and I will be visiting Ireland, Amsterdam, and the beautiful highlands of Scotland (including Loch Ness). I don't know if we'll have the chance to blog during those shenanigans, so this might be the last update for a little while. We wish you all a happy and holy remainder of the Lenten season, and look forward to Holy Week and Easter celebrations soon!

Spring is springing, and so is Jessie's artistic nature!

Thanks for reading,

~Jacob and Jessie Wilkerson