Carling Academy Glasgow
Encyclopedia
The O2 Academy Glasgow is a music venue on Eglinton Street in the Gorbals
area of Glasgow
. It holds 2,500 people.
It was one of a group of music venues in Britain branded Carling Academy, the best known including the Brixton Academy and the O2 Academy Birmingham. Since November 2008, the venue has been rebranded by network operator O2 to its new name, following a new sponsorship deal with Live Nation
.
which underwent a £3million refurbishment project to turn it into a 2,500 person music venue
. The venue opened on the March 26, 2003 with the band Deacon Blue
.
On 6 November 2008, it was announced that Telefónica Europe (owners of the O2 Network in the UK) had become the new sponsor of all Academy venues, in a deal with music promotor Live Nation
. The deal, which lasts for five years, sees all venues rebranded "The O2 Academy", in line with Telefónica's purchase of the Millennium Dome (now The O2
).
Gorbals
The Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. By the late 19th century, it had become over-populated and adversely affected by local industrialisation. Many people lived here because their jobs provided this home and they could not afford their own...
area of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. It holds 2,500 people.
It was one of a group of music venues in Britain branded Carling Academy, the best known including the Brixton Academy and the O2 Academy Birmingham. Since November 2008, the venue has been rebranded by network operator O2 to its new name, following a new sponsorship deal with Live Nation
Live Nation
Live Nation is a live-events company based in Beverly Hills, California, focused on concert promotions. Live Nation formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, which then merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 to become Live Nation Entertainment....
.
History
The venue is housed in the former New Bedford CinemaNew Bedford Cinema
The New Bedford Cinema was a Scottish cinema on Eglinton Street in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. The building now houses the O2 Academy Glasgow.It is a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the city.-History:...
which underwent a £3million refurbishment project to turn it into a 2,500 person music venue
Music venue
A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. Music venues range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music...
. The venue opened on the March 26, 2003 with the band Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop band formed in Glasgow during 1985. Their name was taken from the title of the Steely Dan song "Deacon Blues". The band consists of vocalist Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond....
.
On 6 November 2008, it was announced that Telefónica Europe (owners of the O2 Network in the UK) had become the new sponsor of all Academy venues, in a deal with music promotor Live Nation
Live Nation
Live Nation is a live-events company based in Beverly Hills, California, focused on concert promotions. Live Nation formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, which then merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 to become Live Nation Entertainment....
. The deal, which lasts for five years, sees all venues rebranded "The O2 Academy", in line with Telefónica's purchase of the Millennium Dome (now The O2
The O2 (London)
The O2, visually typeset in branding as The O2, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants...
).
Events
- The Killers' 2006 gig at the venue sold out in a record 3 mins. This led to the band announcing a date at Glasgow's SECC ArenaScottish Exhibition and Conference CentreThe Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre , located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, is Scotland's largest exhibition centre....
the following night. - James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
played his last ever UK gig at the venue on October 25, 2006. - The venue hosted a prestigious O2 Wireless Festival workshop on May 10, 2008.
- During the annual Glasgow Comedy Festival, the venue is transformed into a comedy club with shows taking place every night. Russell BrandRussell BrandRussell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
, Jimmy CarrJimmy CarrJames Anthony Patrick "Jimmy" Carr is an English-Irish comedian and humourist. He is known for his deadpan delivery and dark humour. He is also a writer, actor and presenter of radio and television....
and Frankie BoyleFrankie BoyleFrancis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a British comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic, often controversial sense of humour...
have performed at the venue. - The venue played host to The GigantourGigantourGigantour is the name of a sporadically organised traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also traveled to Australia...
on February 19, 2008. - Frankie BoyleFrankie BoyleFrancis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a British comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic, often controversial sense of humour...
hosts the record for the most shows played at the venue - a total of 14 - including six during 2008's Glasgow Comedy Festival.
External links
- Carling Academy Glasgow web page
- Carling Academy Glasgow Official Web Site
- Carling Academy venue guide at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....