Scots music stars sing praises of Barrowlands in BBC documentary airing New Year's Day

24.12.2022 - 08:57 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Scots music acts including Amy MacDonald, The Fratellis, Mogwai and Franz Ferdinand are set to star in a new BBC documentary celebrating the heritage of Glasgow's beloved Barrowland Ballroom.

The Barrowland Roar, screening on New Year's Day on BBC Alba, sees countless Scottish icons recount their memories of the east end venue, a favourite of acts the world over. Presented by Isle of Lewis musician Iain "Spanish" MacKay ahead of his first show at the venue, the documentary sees him get advice on putting on a good show from the likes of Del Amitri, Dylan John Thomas, Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr and even Smiths legend Johnny Marr.

He also speaks to the staff that keep the iconic building ticking over, from manager Tom Joyes and owner Anne Dick to doorman Willie Thomson, who has the Barrowlands' world-famous sign tattooed on his body. In between, he roadies for the likes of the Fratellis and learns more about the ballroom's storied history.

The 90-minute documentary, narrated in both Gaelic and English, offers a rare behind the scenes look at life in the Barrowlands and its otherwise unseen back corridors. After speaking to the likes of Spanish rounds off the documentary by joining Western Isles band Trail West on stage to perform his own songs for the first time.

Johnny Marr, who has played the venue seven times with seven different acts, quips early in the documentary: "Mad hot, insane volume, and that was before we even played a note." And Amy MacDonald says of its practically unchanged state since the 60s: "If they ever decide to spruce it up, I'll be devastated."

Have you got treasured memories of the Barrowlands? Share your stories in the comments.

The doc opens with Spanish standing in an empty, brightly lit Barrowlands