Glasgow gig set up to counter far-right returns to city

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

All money raised at the gig is donated directly to Refuweegee, a community charity supporting new arrivals in the city.
No A Mean City III: Kindness as an Act of Resistance will take place at Stereo on Renfield Lane on September 6, featuring the Noughty Mean City All Star Band, The Dunts, Tanzana, Majesty Palm, The Noise Club, Psweatpants, Salt and more.
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Founder Mackenzie Burns tells The Herald: "The first event was held on Saturday September 7 last year, essentially in direct response to the clashes happening in [[George Square]] between the far-right protest groups and people who thought that maybe wasn't an acceptable thing to be bringing to Glasgow in the wake of all the Southport stuff, which was incredibly tragic.
"It was a kind of antidote to that, which put a real dampener on what I would consider to be the spirit of my city.
"I clubbed together, very hastily, a venue and a lineup of bands which I like to think had a real inclusive and well-meaning community-based spirit to them.
"The turnaround was about two weeks, we put on the event in the Rum Shack, who gave us the venue for free.
"We raised £1,500 for Refuweegee on the first one and we decided to keep doing it as a sort of series, all in aid of Refuweegee.
"I needed a good name and I used to love Taggart, and they always used to say the Maggie Bell theme was 'No Mean City' then of course there's the book about the Gorbals.
"So I decided to flip that into 'No A Mean City', I like the idea that Glasgow has everything, warts and all, but fundamentally there's a real spirit to the place and the people.
"The third one, which is happening in September, is our biggest one yet.
A performance at No A Mean City (Image: Nicole MacAulay) "We've upscaled it to Stereo, which is nearly double the cap, to make more money for refugees at a time when it's needed more than ever but we have real aspirations to take this as far as we possibly can."
The event doesn't just feature music, but various contributors from Glasgow's cultural scene and beyond.
Mr Burns says: "I loved the first one because it was full of peers and friends and well-meaning people in the industry, but the second one, I expanded it to include Declan Welsh, or example, who's someone I've known a long time and is a great collaborator on this and someone who can fill the Barrowlands and has done the main stage at TRNSMT.
"He's involved in the third event and we've got Roscoe McLellan, the comedian who recently won the Billy Connolly award, Andy Guitar who is a really prominent YouTuber.
"It's got a really interesting, eclectic, lineup, which we like to think reflects the sort of diversity, the inclusivity, and just the talent that is brought here.
"We've got Salt, who's an artist from Sweden, who's moved over to Glasgow. We've got Psweatpants, who moved up from London to be a part of the Glasgow music scene, and then at the same time we've got The Dunts, who are a really prominent Glasgow band
"So we're trying to tie everything together in terms of what is brought to Glasgow and that can all coalesce and be just everything that's great about the city.
"I never thought of myself as a promoter, however, it turns out if you've got enough well-meaning pals, then you can look like one, because they're willing to play, and obviously no one takes any money.
A performance at No A Mean City (Image: Andrew Adams) "I try and budget for expenses. For the first event I really needed it to be insured because of the climate on that day and Brian Reynolds of 432 Presents was really helpful and took time paid out of his own pocket for insuring our event but he said something which has really stuck with me: 'it's for a great cause but the people doing it still have very real needs and they need to be able to not lose money from this'.
"So I do try and offer expenses but it's a real testament to the people who choose to give up their time and energy for this, they aren't paid to play so I really appreciate them giving up their time and energy.
"It's just a great celebration of the spirit and attitude of Glasgow's music community.
"The third will be the biggest and best yet - that's the plan."
While the gig will showcase the Glasgow music scene and more, the overall message is wider.
Mr Burns explains: "Principally we want to elevate the conversation which is that refugees are human beings and should be treated as such, and all of your opinions are usually based on someone trying to implant a certain view into you rather than give an accurate representation.
"If you live in diverse communities you'll understand them as people rather than enemies.
"Refugees are people and you don't need to deviate from that, people should have comfort, safety and human rights, and that's what we're always trying to put at the forefront of these events.
"It's a great gig, I'm glad you saw your favourite local bands and that they gave their time but you should be going away thinking, 'what can I do other than come to a gig? How can I have this conversation with people in my life who aren't as inclusive or tolerant?'.
"We try and make the gigs a vehicle for that."
Tickets for No A Mean City III are available here