The Bay help out young talent

Glasgow has long been recognised as the epicentre of exciting new music in Scotland. Key to this has been music venues that give new artists a chance to cut their teeth in front of a live, and sometimes rowdy, audience. We’ve heard about the popularity and influence of the Barrowland Ballroom and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, but the city is also home to smaller venues that also open their doors to aspiring musicians.

One such place is The Bay, situated at 142 West Regent Street.  The venue is open to bands of all styles and do not charge the bands for playing so that any money made from ticket sales go straight to the band.

Anyone who visits The Bay will be in no doubt that this is a place in thrall to classic rock, with vintage posters paying homage to musical greats such as The Beatles and The Doors. I think the venue deserves a lot of credit for supporting Glasgow’s burgeoning music scene and giving bands the opportunities to develop their careers. 

Dirty Sally - Oceans

One such band, who has played there more than once, is Dirty Sally. Influenced by rock bands such as the Foo Fighters and Scotland’s own Frightened Rabbit, the band is made up of Mark McMillan on guitar and vocals, Scott McPartlan on bass and vocals, and  Andrew Black on drums. The band describes their sound as “edgy, searing guitar music with indie undertones and pop overtones” and anyone who has seen the band will see that as an apt description.

Songs like Is Everything to be Alright and Oceans see the band mine the same quiet/loud dynamic and soaring choruses that have seen Biffy Clyro become one of Scotland’s most successful bands. These songs fill out the tiny space that is The Bay with ease; it’s not hard to imagine these songs ringing out in much larger venues. Hopefully with the continued support of Glasgow’s music venues more bands like Dirty Sally will have the opportunity to reach their potential.

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