Welcome to MacArts
MacArts is run by the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust - a charitable organisation inspired by the visionary spirit of Dunc MacKinnon, a prominent Borders promoter who brought high profile acts to the Scottish Borders in the 1960s. The Trust was formed to fulfil an ambition to create a state-of-the-art  music and arts venue and community space in  a disused listed building of historic and architectural significance in the centre of Galashiels with a emphasis on involving everyone in the community ;
​this space is now known as MacArts.
​

​We currently have two Crowdfunders that we are participating in. Our own "Help Mac Arts Venue survive Covid 19" and The Music Venue Trust campaign that includes the T-shirt offer. All the money from both Crowdfunders comes direct to Mac Arts. Thank you for all the fantastic support we received.

 Dear Friends

Due to the current worldwide situation, and in line with advice,  we like all venues going in to a period of lockdown. The Mac Arts team are working closely with artistes/ promoters to reschedule events for later in the year wherever possible. As you can imagine, this is a mammoth task, and we thank you for your patience and understanding in these unprecedented  times. With the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and customers being paramount, please bear with us whilst we update our Website / Facebook / Twitter/ Instagram with updates as soon as we can.

If you have already purchased tickets for an event then the original tickets will still be valid for the new date. If you cannot attend the new date, a full refund will be given. 

In the meantime: Be safe, be kind and keep smiling

Team Mac Arts  
xxx 

October 2020 Royal PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCITY Scottish Members’ Print Exhibition 2020

 ()
Scottish members of The Royal Photographic Society submit images
each year towards an exhibition to show their current work. The
selection process involves members across Scotland in a sometimes
fierce, but always good natured debate, with the submitted prints
reduced through discussion to the 40 images in the final exhibition.
Immediately after selection, the exhibition is catalogued, and starts a 12 month tour to 9 venues between the Shetland in the north and Dumfries in the south, Glasgow to Aberdeen.

The Royal Photographic Society is an educational charity with over
12,000 members throughout the world. It is involved in all aspects of
photographic practice.
Time 10.30 -16.00
05 October 2020 - 30 October 2020 
​Visitors will be limited to 8 at any one time . Face coverings must be worn while moving round the exhibition.  Mac Arts may contact you to arrange specific visit times. Note 22/10 & 23/10 fully booked
TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED ONE DAY IN ADVANCE   Book Tickets

​

---

 Cancelled 6/11/20  The Unthanks

 Unfortunately this show has been cancelled by The Unthanks team

28/11/20 NEw Date COMING SOON  Holy Moly & The Crackers

HMATC have toured the UK repeatedly, selling out venues across the country, and made successful debuts in The Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy as well as continuing their success on the festival circuit. In 2017 and 2018 they’ve pulled off an accoladed appearance at Glastonbury, appeared at Boomtown Fair, Bestival + Camp Bestival and graced the main stages at festivals such as Beautiful Days, Bearded Theory, Moonbeams + Colours of Ostrava (CZ).

Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets: £12
​Buy Tickets

9/12/20     new date due soon -Roddy Woomble

Known for his enigmatic lyrics, warm baritone voice and consummate gift for a tune, Roddy has released five solo albums to date - 'My Secret Is My Silence' (2006), ‘Before The Ruin’ (2008, with Kris Drever and John McCusker), 'The Impossible Song & Other Songs' (2011), 'Listen To Keep' (2013), and ‘The Deluder’ (2017). 
For the past two decades Roddy has also been the frontman of much loved Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild, releasing eight studio albums, and touring worldwide as a headline act, but also in support to R.E.M., Pearl Jam and U2 amongst others.
​Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets: £17.50
Buy Tickets

28/12/20  new date DUE Soon W3L WRESTLING SHOWDOWN 

Live American Wrestling action from the World Wide Wrestling League, back at Mac Arts for the 3rd time!
 
 Great fun for all the family (as seen on TV) matches to be filmed forpopular YouTube show W3L Wrestling Showdown.

General Admission: £13.50 // Concession: £11.50 //Family of Four: £44
 Ringside Front Row (includes "backstage pass"): £15.50

Sunday 13th September 
Time: 3pm 
Doors: 2:30pm 
Tickets: Via W3L website ONLY 
Tickets from:  www.W3LWrestling.com
Mac Arts is not selling tickets!

24/2/21  ​Why Henry is SO Weird Theatre

Have you ever heard anyone say “If I knew then what I know now”? Well this is the life that young Henry Babbitt actually has. His imaginary friend is an older version of himself from the future.
 
It is 1989 and Henry is a lonely twelve-year-old boy: He lives with his mum and has an encyclopedic knowledge of EVERY Godzilla film. At school he is a magnet for bullies and his life lurches from one anxiety-inducing situation to the next. That is until he wakes up one morning to find an older version of himself in his room. 
 
But no-one else can see him: Is he real? Is he imaginary? One thing’s for certain, he has a lot to say about the way Henry is living his life. But young Henry isn’t the only one who needs help…
 
This charming family comedy-drama talks kindly about the importance of looking after your mental health, and the real-life magic that comes from simple kindness. From RJ Flynn, the writer of The Smallest Story Ever Told, Hidden in this Room and 2018’s hit musical Sam and Isla Forever, The Tideline Runners return for their brand new show that is set to be the feel-good family hit of the summer.

"A stunning and powerful piece of theatre" - S Duke, Berwick Advertiser (Human Interest Stories)

"Wonderfully witty, smart and delightful. There is real magic at work here." Geoff Newton (C4) (The Words in the Wires)


".. packs a mighty punch…  the play made you grateful for health, happiness and memories.” **** Emma K Robertson - Cairns Theatre Passion (The Smallest Story Ever Told)
 "From horrifying to hilarious, RJ Flynn plays arpeggio with his audience’s feelings. This is interspersed with sudden flashes of utter genius, where he combines all the notes into one great mis-matched chord. " S Campbell - The Berwickshire News (The Smallest Story Ever Told)

Time: 7:30pm 
Doors: 7pm 
Tickets : £12 / £10 /£8 / £25 Family of 4 *
​*booking fee applies
Buy Tickets


  

27/3/21   Horse

​A glorious celebration of the 30 year anniversary of  the classic album ‘The same sky’.
In March 1989, the first single, “You could be forgiven”, was released and it was so different from
anything else at the time  - thrilling first plays on Radio 1 - the track absolutely setting the bar - an
incredibly unique Scottish voice and brilliant band. The first major UK tour followed and in 1990,
tours across Europe, including opening for artists such as Tina Turner and BB King.
There are many great songs on this album but arguably the ultimate song from this album and
possibly any of her albums, is “Careful”,  a beautiful and timeless song.
This is a very special night which will inevitably conjure up treasured times from over the years for
the entire audience. It’s a rare evening, celebrating and playing the album in its entirety - the full
band show - a set choc-full of the classic songs.  
Time: 8pm  
Doors: 7:30pm 
Tickets: £18.50+ booking fee 
​Buy Tickets

  North Atlas +VENLAW  NEW DATE COMING SOON

Scottish alternative rock trio North Atlas are back on the road! Championed by the likes of Planet Rock and BBC Introducing, the band of brothers make their Scottish Borders debut at Mac Arts ahead of their highly anticipated new single.

​Support from local lads, VENLAW! 

Sign up to their mailing list and receive a free download here
 
Check out North Atlas here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMD7ybH9Kk

Time: 8pm 
Doors:7:30pm 
Tickets: £6 Advance (will be £9 on the door) 
Buy Tickets
Over 14s (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

April 2021 date coming soon Phil Kay Cosmicomic Storyteller Tour  

Phil Kay is a cosmically iconic comic storytelling mind on legs…speaking about his day, and his adventures…calamities and hair-brained schemes…buying machetes is Venezuela…

‘…Primal Scream threatening his puppy…’

‘…arguing with the police whilst in his bath…’

‘…Trainspotting Rap Party Speed in the Sherbert Dip Debacle…’
 
PLUS: ULTRA ALL NEW ASIAN TOUR STORIES:
‘Stroke Victim Casing Phil With a Stick…’, ‘…Sleeping With Keira Nightly…’
 
It just doesn’t stop; the man may improvise a song of his journey to the gig…ABOUT YOU ….and your friends…It’s Planet Anecdote and positivity is Wholly Viable!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXRajZ1QpBc
Time: 8pm 
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: £15* Advance
*booking fee applies
​ (£20 On the Door) 
​Buy Tickets

 2/04/21  The Complete Stone Roses

The Complete Stone Roses are one of the UK’s most well-known, most seen and most successful tribute bands. Selling out venues across the UK 

The Stone Roses played a pivotal role in the history of the UK’s indie music scene. Famous hits like Fools Gold, I Am the Resurrection and I Wanna Be Adored are as recognisable now as they were in the heyday of Madchester and the Hacienda, the cultural icons from which the original band were born.

Complete Stone Roses play to acclaim from fans themselves, the press, and even original Stone Roses band members. Stone Roses bass player Mani says "they do our songs real justice. At times, they play even better than we did.”

Doors: 7:30pm
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £12.50 + booking fee

Over 14s gig Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9oWi_rR2NU
​Buy Tickets

3/4/21 The Polis (Police Tribute Band)  +Dylan Paterson

The Polis are Scotland's No.1 Police tribute act. Join them on a journey from Roxanne to the iconic Every Breath You Take as they perform an energetic and dynamic live set with all the urgency and angst of The Police at their very best. Listen out for a few B-sides, classic album tracks and live arrangements, a treat for the true Police aficionado.
 
Whilst deliberately not a look-a-like act, The Polis do tip their hats to the original Police with their instantly recognisable and striking on-stage look.
 
Musically the band have rehearsed tirelessly to bring a reality and likeness to the sound that originally brought The Police to massive global popularity in the late 70's and early 80's.

Check them out here:    www.thepolis.co.uk

Time: 8pm 
Doors: 7:30pm 
Tickets : £11 Advance // £14 OTD
www.ticketsource.co.uk/macarts

17/4 /21 Family Silent Disco​ by Silent Knights

After the success of their first Family Silent Disco in Galashiels they are back! 

Children
Children aged 12 and under are the responsibility of their parents/guardians.

For younger children we keep the sound level at the recommended level of 84db, it is parent/guardian’s responsibility to control child’s volume, this can be adjusted on the individual headphones.

This event is recommended for ages 4+ All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Time:  4pm -6pm 
Tickets: £5 (all attendees must purchase a ticket for entry ) 

​Buy Tickets

17/4/21 Silent Disco​ by Silent Knights

f you haven't participated in a silent disco before it's simple, on arrival you are given your headphones and music is transmitted to them, you will be able to flick between 3 different channels of music being played by 3 different DJ's!

RED CHANNEL: 80's, FUNK & GUILTY PLEASURES
GREEN CHANNEL: INDIE, CHART & POP
BLUE CHANNEL: DANCE CLASSICS & R&B

Time: 8pm to 12am 
Tickets : £9 Advance 
​​Buy Tickets

19/04/21   Grace Petrie UK Tour

A folk singer, songwriter and activist from Leicester, UK, Grace has been writing, recording and touring relentlessly for ten years. Her unique takes on life, love and politics, and the warmth and wit with which they are delivered, have won over audiences everywhere, across the alternative, folk, political and comedy scenes.
​
She has racked up tour supports with Emmy the Great and Billy Bragg, and in 2019 supported Frank Turner on his UK arena tour.  She has made her mark in the comedy scene regularly supporting comedians Robin Ince and Josie Long on tour and she has also collaborated with some of the most respected names in folk, including Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey and Peggy Seeger.  
​ 
Top 10 Folk Album of 2018 - Mojo magazine.
 
Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets : £12.50 +booking fee  
Buy Tickets

23/4/21 Raymond Mearns:   Everybody Hates Raymond 

This is the ultimate self-help comedy show that teaches you one simple truth in a hilarious way but, if you want to know what that truth is, then you just have to come along and see this great new show from one of Scotland's finest live stand-up comedians.
As seen on “Limmy’s show” and BBC Scotland’s “Breaking the News”, Raymond Mearns is regarded as one of the very best live stand-up comedians in the country. He’s a regular at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe every year where he combines great story telling with finely crafted gags and razor-sharp improvisation, and now he’s coming to a venue near you!
“I Loved watching Him” Kevin Bridges
“A personality so huge it fills the room” - The List
“A man who knows how to swear properly” – Billy Connolly
A Genuine Improvisational Genius” – Frankie Boyle
“Enjoyable & Cathartic” – The Skinny
“Exceptionally Funny and Cathartic” – The Scotsman
www.raymondmearns.com
Time: 8pm 
Doors: 7pm 
Tickets: £12 // £10 
​Buy Tickets

​29/5/21    Wrest

wrest are a hotly-tipped Scottish indie folk-rock band, making music from Edinburgh's Old Town. Their sound combines soaring guitars with layered lyrics and heartfelt melodies, reminiscent of bands like Frightened Rabbit, The National, Idlewild, Snow Patrol and We Were Promised Jetpacks.  
 
Don’t miss this must-see gig from one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging live acts. Support by Hawick band The Boy With the Lion Head 

​ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD5XJt57lx8

 FB : https://www.facebook.com/wearewrest/
 
INSTA:  https://www.instagram.com/wearewrest/?hl=en
 
Time: 8pm 
Doors:7:30pm 
Tickets: £10 Advance // £13 On the Door
​Buy Tickets

4/6/21              Gary Faulds

​Best known for his viral Facebook videos, Gary’s material really comes to life on stage in front of an audience. Now embarking on his third live tour, Gary’s fantastic live shows continue to attract crowds in their thousands year after year.
Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:00pm
Tickets: £20 +BF
Buy Tickets

 13/6/21   Gary Meikle  - Comedy

fter his meteoric rise through the ranks, Scottish Comedy Award winner and viral sensation Gary Meikle is back with his second tour show Surreal! It’s a word that perfectly describes Gary’s last twelve months. He started the year performing in comedy clubs, and ended it selling out big theatres in the UK as well as tours in America, Canada and Europe!
 
Not one for mincing his words, Gary has been described as “playfully dark”. His cheeky chappie nature and ability to get away with talking about anything will have you laughing at things you probably shouldn’t be! As always, Gary will draw material from his own real-life experiences, including his unique family dynamic and his rapid rise to online fame. Quickly putting his audiences at ease, a night of stand up with Gary feels like a night in the pub chatting with friends!
  
Time: 8pm 
Doors: 7pm 
Tickets: £20* (*booking fee applies) 
Buy Tickets​

24/6/21            The Wedding Present

 "The Weddoes" have had eighteen UK Top 40 hit singles… not bad for a band that has, from its inception, stubbornly refused to play the record industry’s game. A pioneering spirit has been at the core of the band’s philosophy ever since. From GEORGE BEST, “an unmitigated delight” [NME], the first full-length release on their own Reception Records onwards, the band has charted an appealing, if often eccentric, course of its very own.

Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20 +BF
Buy Tickets

16/7/21         Goodbye Mr Mackenzie Resheduled

 Scottish Music legends return to Mac Arts after a string of sell out shows including the Barrowlands. "A staggering thrill-ride, a phenomenally unforgettable evening"

Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets: £22
Buy Tickets

17/9/21 Hendrix, Clapton & Cream performed by Voodoo Room

A warm welcome to this stunning power trio featuring some of the UK’s finest musicians who present an incredible live show in the true spirit of these legendary superstars. No wigs, no gimmicks - simply great music played by great musicians! Hear classics such as: Watchtower, Cocaine, Hey Joe, Sunshine Of Your Love, Purple Haze, Layla etc. Members of Voodoo Room have recorded and toured with Stevie Winwood, Massive Attack, Arthur Brown, Fish, Thunder and many other high profile artists. With standing ovations the norm, the word on the street is, Voodoo Room are NOT TO BE MISSED!
 ‘STUNNING!’ - Time Out
Time: 8pm
Doors: 7:00pm
Tickets: £12 +BF
Buy Tickets
 http://www.voodoo-room.com

20/9/21  The Wildhearts

​
​For 3 decades The Wildhearts have remained at the forefront of the British rock scene. From their classic debut album ‘Earth Vs’ (voted number one album of the year in Kerrang! back in 1993, and number 20 in the best rock albums of all time in a Kerrang! Special in 2006), through to now with the release of “Renaissance Man’, their first full-length studio album in 10 years, their creative output and legendary live shows have been second to none.
 
Although the 90’s saw the band covered like a living soap opera in the press with tales of sex, drugs, bust ups, fights (both with labels and themselves), splits, more drugs and a lot more controversy (one such incident including entering and then proceeding to trash the Kerrang! Offices!), the recent years have seen the band more focused than ever before and firing on all cylinders.

The Wildhearts and their incendiary shows have cemented their reputation and legacy as one of the best bands the UK has ever produced.

Time: 8pm  
Doors: 7:30pm 
Tickets: £24 +Booking fee
​Buy Tickets
or​
https://www.seetickets.com/event/the-wildhearts/macarts/1506481

2/10/21  Pygmy Twylyte Frank Zappa tribute + South of Sanity 

Navigating the vast Zappa oeuvre then is no mean feat, but Scotland’s Pygmy Twylyte have embraced the challenge with gusto. Since their inception in 2018, the band have selected a core body of classic material, complemented with a rotating offering of more obscure cuts, and blasted this to delighted audiences across
the UK.
 
With guitars, keyboards, saxes and a xaphoon at their disposal, the band has a (stink)foot planted in the camp of several of Zappa’s most memorable touring line-ups. Head to MacArts on September 26th to nod along to rock numbers, lose count during jazzy interludes (after all, it’s not dead – it just smells funny) and evade the infamous Frunobulax. Officially licensed by the Zappa Family Trust, Pygmy Twylyte present a must-see event for local music fans.
Support from 'Mac Arts' House Band' South of Sanity

Over 14s only // Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Time: 8pm 
Doors: 7:30pm 
Tickets : £10  Advance //£14 on the door 
Buy Tickets