When the music fades: is live music in Glasgow becoming a luxury?
- Sasha Main
- May 15
- 5 min read
By Sasha Main
This article is part of a series which explores how working class culture in Glasgow is changing. All related articles are available to read on this website. This project was produced by Flora Irvine-Hall, Sasha Main, Ryan Mullen, and Lola Lea.
Glasgow has long held its reputation as one of the UK’s most vibrant cities for live music. From intimate pub gigs to iconic venues like King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and the Barrowland Ballroom, the city pulses with a rich musical heartbeat. However, as the cost-of-living crisis deepens and ticket prices continue to climb, many working-class music lovers are finding themselves increasingly shut out from the live music scene they once called home.
Rising costs, the decline of accessible performances, and the financial strain on independent venues are reshaping Glasgow’s live music culture, and not necessarily for the better.
Rising costs - a barrier to access
In recent years, ticket prices in Glasgow have surged, reflecting a wider trend across the UK. A gig that might have cost £10 to £15 just a few years ago can now easily reach upwards of £30-£50, especially for mid-tier or touring acts. For someone earning minimum wage or juggling zero-hour contracts, these prices can be insurmountable.
A quick scan through Ticketmaster or venue websites reveals the stark reality. Even local bands playing smaller venues often charge over £15 for entry. Add transport, drinks and potential merch sales, a night out could easily top £50, a significant expense for many households.
Rob Churm, events organiser and promoter for The Old Hairdresser’s, explained how ticket pricing has shifted:
“It wasn’t that long ago that £10 for a gig ticket here (The Old Hairdresser’s) would seem really expensive. I’ve got posters for shows in the last 10 years where it was like £8 entry or £5, £6 if you’re a student. But now nearly every show that I put on has got to be £10 minimum, usually £12, or if it’s an expensive touring act, they’ll be like £15/£16.”
Watters, a Glasgow-based independent artist and former promoter, summed it up:
“Coming at it from both the perspective of someone who used to be a promoter and is now an artist, (ticket prices) are insane right now and it’s only getting worse.”
The disappearing free gig
Glasgow was once famous for its abundance of free and low-cost gigs, especially in student-friendly areas like the West End. Pubs, community centres, and even cafes played host to local acts. These events not only supported emerging talent but also ensured music was a communal experience, not a commercial commodity.
However, those spaces are disappearing. Many small venues have been forced to close, citing increased rent, licensing fees, and energy costs. Others have had to start charging higher cover fees to stay afloat. This shift has turned what was once a casual cultural experience into a more exclusive affair. Beverley Whitrick, COO of Music Venue Trust (MVT), a UK-based charity that works to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues through advocacy, funding, and initiatives, released a statement alongside the MVT annual report in 2024. She said:
“2023 was the worst year for venue closures since Music Venue Trust launched ten years ago. We are still losing on average two venues a week and those that have survived are now consumed by threats to their continued existence that they have no chance of overcoming without immediate help.
“Without external support our entire sector would be bankrupt. We have been warning of these consequences for the last six years yet still the top end of the live music sector posts record profits while, with a few notable exceptions, turning a blind eye to those who discover, nurture and develop the artists that generate that revenue for them.”
While truly free gigs are becoming rarer, some artists and promoters are experimenting with more flexible pricing to keep live music accessible. One such approach is the pay-what-you-want model, where attendees can choose how much they contribute, or attend for free if needed. It’s a system built on trust and inclusivity, aiming to remove financial barriers.
Watters, who trialled this method during his tour in 2022, described it as a way to “allow anyone to get involved”. Acknowledging the risks of people underpaying, he said,
“I’d rather one person taking advantage got through than 10 people who couldn’t normally afford it don’t get in.”
If going to gigs isn't always feasible for working-class individuals, it's not hard to imagine how inaccessible pursuing their own creative endeavours may be.
Independent venues under pressure
Independent venues are the lifeblood of Glasgow’s music scene. Yet they are some of the hardest hit in the current climate. Opening costs have skyrocketed, and post-pandemic recovery has been slow, with many venues relying on government grants or fundraising campaigns to survive.
The Glad Cafe in the Southside, Stereo in the city centre and the Hug and Pint are just a few of Glasgow’s beloved institutions that continue to fight an uphill battle. Despite their cultural importance, they lack the financial resilience of corporate-backed spaces.
Where to find affordable gigs in Glasgow
Despite the challenges, not all is lost. Glasgow’s grassroots spirit continues to shine through the cracks of an increasingly commercialised music scene. While many venues face financial hardship, there’s still a passionate network of artists, promoters and community organisers working tirelessly to keep live music open to everyone, not just those with spare cash. These spaces are often run on shoestring budgets, driven more by love for the local scene than by profit. For those willing to look beyond the big-name lineups, Glasgow still offers a wealth of affordable, and often unforgettable, live music experiences. Here are some of the venues and initiatives keeping the city’s musical heartbeat alive.
The Old Hairdresser’s (Renfield Lane): Known for its experimental and underground acts, it often hosts gigs under £20.
Bloc+ (Bath Street): A popular bar that offers free gigs nearly every night of the week, giving local artists a platform and punters an affordable night out.
The Hug and Pint (Great Western Road): While ticket prices vary, this venue is known for hosting a mix of emerging talent and keeping prices reasonable.
McChuills (High Street): A beloved pub that hosts live music regularly, including ska, reggae, and rock nights, many with free entry or low cover charges.
Gig posters from The Old Hairdresser's
Where do we go from here?
The squeeze on Glasgow’s live music culture isn’t irreversible, but it does require a rethinking of priorities. Solutions could include:
Increased public funding for arts and venues
Grants or subsidies for free community gigs
Support for artists through fair play initiatives
Venue protection policies like those seen in other cities (e.g. London’s “Agent of Change”)
Live music is a vital part of Glasgow’s identity. It’s not just about entertainment, it’s a space where communities gather, identities are formed, and voices are heard. As ticket prices rise and venues struggle, we must ask ourselves; are we willing to let music become a luxury?
Rob Churm put it plainly: “There’s definitely a danger that when people don’t have money, they can’t go and see live music.”
This reality isn’t just about ticket prices, it’s about who gets to participate in a cultural space that should be for everyone.
Glasgow’s soundtrack is in danger of going silent for the working class, but it doesn’t have to. With awareness, action and community support, the city can keep its musical legacy alive for everyone, not just the few who can afford it.
Do you think live music in Glasgow is becoming too expensive?
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It's complicated...
Very interesting read but yet again it's the poorer people that suffer!