Welcome to MacArts
Hello!
MacArts is a live music and arts venue in the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels. We host live music from national and international touring artists as well as providing a platform for up-and-coming local acts. We also host comedy, theatre and community events. Our spaces can be hired for anything from parties and weddings to conferences and workshops. Scroll down to see everything we have coming up...
MacArts is a live music and arts venue in the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels. We host live music from national and international touring artists as well as providing a platform for up-and-coming local acts. We also host comedy, theatre and community events. Our spaces can be hired for anything from parties and weddings to conferences and workshops. Scroll down to see everything we have coming up...
Coming soon at MacArts
Never miss a thing. Sign up for our regular email newsletters to find out first about everything we've got coming up. Get gig listings, offers and our monthly Spotify playlist that showcases songs from everyone performing that month.
|
|
wednesday 27th march
Clearwater creedence revival
The chaps are back in the Borders again! We wlecome back the premiere tribute act to the 60s rootsy rockers.
Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £20 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
Friday 5th April
Kathryn Joseph + Haiver
We are hugely excited to welcome Scottish singer/songwriter Kathryn Jospeh to MacArts. Joseph has released three albums of distinct, endlessly imaginative alt.folk, two of which came out on Mogwai's label, Rock Action Records.
Kathryn Joseph makes moving, often sparse songs, filled with lilting harmonies and wistful melodies. She has been cited as a late bloomer have made music for over 17 year before gaining wider recognition aged 40. Her music has drawn favourable comparisons with the likes of PJ Harvey and Phoebe Bridgers for it's intensity and intimacy. Her debut album Bones You Have Thrown Me and Blood I've Spilled beat the likes of Belle & Sebastian and Paolo Nutini to win the 2015 Scottish Album of the Year Award. An accomplished collaborator, she has worked in theatre with Scottish stage powerhouse Cora Bisset and made a joint album with guitar virtuoso RM Hubbart. Her latest release is a five-track EP which features reworkings of songs from Kathryn's third album for you who are the wronged, alongside a brand new song, all created with her long time collaborator Lomond Campbell. Special guests tonight will be Haiver, the new project by Billy Kennedy, formerly of Frighteneed Rabbit. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £17.50 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 6th april
Frankly, the smiths - A Tribute to the smiths
The UKs best tribute to The Smiths. All the Morrissey and Marr classics you could ever wish for in one evening.
Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £12.50 / £13.50 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 13th april
WILDFIRE +The honey badgerZ + Big IRON
We are proud to wlecome local rock gods, Wildfire for this headline show. Support ably comes from frisky rock bods The Honey Badgerz and Big Iron. SWEET!
Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £12.50 in advance / £15 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
FRIDAY 19th april
MICKEY 9s + 8Days
Anybody who knows the Scottish music scene will tell you that Mickey 9s are one of the most exciting bands to see live. The irreverent four piece from Glasgow combine elements of dance, punk and disco into a blistering, genre-defying groove that sends crowds into a frenzy. They are previous Best Live Act Winners at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
After releasing their third album Modern Kunst in 2021, Mickey 9s found that their heaviest work to date was also the most popular amongst their (now cult) following. After two years, five sold-out Glasgow gigs in a row in The Garage, Room 2 (twice), King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and SWG3 Warehouse, two tours around the country in support of that album, Mickey 9s have now turned their attention towards creating new music for their fans after playing festivals across Scotland and England; Eden Festival, Kelburn Garden Party, ButeFest, Solfest and Outwith Festival. The band have released new singles throughout 2023, ‘Straight White Male’, ‘Screen Time’ and an amped-up cover of Gang of Four's classic 'At Home He's a Tourist'. The band are now focusing on album number four, Impressive Snake, due for release in Spring 2024, and have released the following singles from it; ‘Impossibility’, ‘Dream’ and ‘Moments. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 advance / £18 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 20th april
The jensen intercepters + Three From The FRIDGE
Gary Martin, from Peebles, leads his blues band, The Jensen Intercepters, on vocals, harmonica and slide guitar, with Mike Park on lead guitar, Richard O’Donnell on piano & Hammond organ, Jim Walker on drums, and Mike Katz on bass. This is the authentic blues, as it should be done.
It all promises to be an excellent night to remember! Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16 in advance / £18 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
FRiday 26th April
C Duncan + DEvin Casson
C Duncan
Born and raised in Glasgow by two classical musicians, Chris studied piano and viola before taking up guitar, bass, and drums in his teens, eventually studying music composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His Mercury nominated debut 'Architect' was released in 2015 and after a spell of touring the UK and Europe he returned to his home studio and began work on his Twilight Zone inspired second album 'The Midnight Sun' which was released in 2016 and shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. He supported Elbow on their UK and North American tour which led him to record his third album 'Health' at their studio which was released in 2019 and also shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. Now back in his home studio, Chris recorded and released his fourth album ‘Alluvium’ in May 2022 on Bella Union. He is also a keen artist, and paints all his own album artwork. Devin Casson Up-and-coming singer-songwriter making her mark in the Scottish music scene with her melodic guitar driven songs. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 4th may
Newton Faulkner
Only Scottish date!
'Just a man with his voice and guitar doing some old-fashioned diddly-diddly-diddly-bap-bap' Newton Faulkner Newton's going old school, solo, mainly acoustic with the occasional splash of something of the beaten track, maybe a cassette sting part, who knows. It's been two years since Feels Like Home part One, who's ready for Feels Like Home part Two, this time it's personal. Newton says about this forthcoming tour: 'I’ll be focusing on the songs that work best with just a vocal and guitar part and dusting off some things I haven't played for a long time,' says Newton. 'There are a lot of songs I miss playing at this stage in my career, but I can't play them all at every gig any more, we'd be there all night. I'm very excited to be reunited with some of my old friends.' VIP tickets Become a VIP ticket holder and get admission to the show first, along with a VIP meet and greet prior to the performance with Newton, plus a signed souvenir package. There are a limited number of tickets allocated to each show, book early advised. Newton says: 'The VIP tickets will give you the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see me soundcheck and ask any questions you like. They'll even be a handshake or hug in it for you, if you're into that kind of thing.' Guitar Workshop with Newton We have a very limited number of these guitar workshop experience tickets, plus everything included in the VIP package and access to the concert. Newton says: 'Whether you've just started playing or have been playing for years and want to try something different, I'll let you see how I approach everything from arrangements to composition to warm up my fingers.' Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start Tickets: £28.50 general admission / £75 VIP / £150 guitar workshop Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 17th may
The vintage explosion
Catch this chance to see viral sensations The Vintage Explosion live before they go global!
You will be transported back in time for a night of authentic rock'n'roll, swing and rhythm and blues. Sir Rod Stewart recently said: ‘I have just discovered the best white soul singer I have ever heard...The Vintage Explosion. I am dumbfounded at how good he is!’ Grab your tickets now and party like it’s 1959! Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £25 in advance (standing) Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 25th may
MAIDEN SCOTLAND - A tribute to iron maiden
Maiden Scotland are one of Europe’s longest running and established tributes to British Heavy Metal legends Iron Maiden.
Formed in 2003 and now in their 21st year, Maiden Scotland feature five musicians at the top of their game and who know who an Iron Maiden tribute should sound. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Martin Jakubski who has the range and power to recreate Bruce Dickinson’s classic powerhouse vocals. Covering all the classics such as 'Run to the Hills', 'Fear of the Dark' and 'The Trooper' but also delving deeper into the back catalogue performing songs rarely and never played live by Iron Maiden A Maiden Scotland gig is a full-on rock show and the focus is on performance and music rather than ill-fitting wigs. Whether you are a hardcore fan of Iron Maiden or a casual rock listener you will find something to enjoy at a Maiden Scotland show. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16 in advance / £20 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 8th june
The polis
a tribute to the police
Scotland's Tribute to the Police, The Polis return to Galashiels and MacArts, Saturday 8th June with a blistering live set of Classic Police Singles, B-sides and live arrangements for the true Police fan. Roxanne, So Lonely, Message in a Bottle, Don't Stand So Close to Me, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Every Breath You Take, they're all there.... plus many more. It is unlikely that you will ever see the The Police again so come see the next best thing.
Support comes from very capable and talented, Local Heroes: Patersun, who'll be serving up their own brand of infectious, hook laden, guitar based rock. Doors: 7:30pm / 8:00pm start Tickets: £15 in advance (stbf) Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 14th june
Black umfolosi
Acapella and dance group from zimbabwe
The idea of Black Umfolosi came about in 1982 when a group of school mates started improvising their own means of entertainment, while at a ZIMFEP Institute. With a gentleness of spirit, a joy of singing and exuberance in dance, Black Umfolosi has touched audiences of all ages locally and internationally since then, and hence having done 16 recordings.
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 15th june
The mccommitments
The McCommitments are a Scottish soul band celebrating the music from the classic hit movie ‘The Commitments’, playing all the hits from the classic soundtrack including ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Try a Little Tenderness’, ‘Take Me to the River’, ‘Chain of Fools’ and more...
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £12.50 in advance / £15 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 22nd june
Tailgunner
Tailgunner are here to put British Heavy Metal back on the map. Laser guided riffs n' hooks that kill. No apologies, no compromise!
2023 was a hectic year for the five piece, they delivered their debut EP Crashdive, followed by numerous live dates across the UK and Europe. They arrive at MacArts with plaudits from no less than Judas Priest's KK Downing! All the recommendation we need! Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £10 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 29th june
bombskare
‘Bombskare were outstanding’ Midge Ure
‘Bombskare are bloody brilliant’ Sam Wollaston, The Guardian ‘Bombskare they were fantastic’ Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor BBC4 |
Introducing the bishops of bounce, the sorcerers of skank, the undisputed masters of Scottish death reggae, the one and only Bombskare the closest thing you'll see to an actual northern powerhouse.
This nine headed ska demon has been tearing up stages the length and breadth of the British Isles since before The Crusades. Reaching zero to sixty skanking miles from a standing start, they combine top quality dancealong songs with incredible punctuality leaving every stage like Tokyo following a visit from Godzilla. Renowned for their technical prowess as much as their infectious ska anthems, they combine lush, threepart harmonies with choppy guitar attacks and an explosive horn section to truly blow the audience away. One thing these guys know about getting a crowd to dance is everything. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £16 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
Saturday 27th July
the Vaselines
thursday 22nd august
Fleetwood bac
Fleetwood Bac, the Mac sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with a passion and energy that has received the seal of approval from ‘Big Daddy’ Mick himself. Fleetwood Bac are the world’s first and without doubt leading Fleetwood Mac tribute band, the only Mac tribute to authentically replicate the classic Rumours line-up.
Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £20 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
wednesday 4th september
THE ERIC BELL TRIO (Ex-Thin lizzy)
Thin Lizzy founding guitarist, Eric Bell, is thrilled to be setting out on his first UK tour since the pandemic.
The new Eric Bell Trio welcomes two new musicians with Phil Smyth on bass, and Matt Hewer on drums. The band will be playing early classic Thin Lizzy tracks from the period of Eric's time in the band, along with blues classics and songs from his subsequent, highly acclaimed solo albums. In 1969, Eric walked into a bar in Dublin, ordered a pint and settled down to watch a band play. Two of the members of that band were Brian Downey and Phil Lynott. He was knocked out by what he saw and he asked them to form a band with him. Both duly obliged and within weeks Thin Lizzy was born. The three of them worked very hard both in the studio and on the road and three iconic albums were the result. The band also enjoyed hit single success with 'Whiskey In The Jar' and 'The Rocker'. Eric left the band in 1973 for health reasons and forged a solo career, alongside an exciting period playing lead guitar for Jimi Hendrix's legendary bassist, in The Noel Redding Band. Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £18.50 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 7th september
Voodoo Room: A Night of Hendrix, Clapton and Cream
Celebrating the incredible music of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton & Cream - Voodoo Room are a stunning high energy ‘Power Trio’ featuring some of the UK's finest musicians whose credits include playing with the likes of Steve Winwood, Massive Attack, Arthur Brown, Fish, Thunder, Lulu and more.
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £17 in advance / £15 concession Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
Friday 20th September
arab strap
Following their critically-acclaimed UK Top 20 album “As Days Get Dark”, Arab Strap return with their 2nd long player for Mogwai’s Rock Action Records. “I’m totally fine with it don’t give a f*** anymore ” is due 10th May 2024
"I'm totally fine with it don't give a f*** anymore" may sound like the title of an album by a band giving up (it’s just a text from the band’s live drummer Moffat thought was funny) but in reality, it’s an album that stands to clearly define a new creative period for Arab Strap. With the band having recently wrapped up a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Philophobia, their new album feels charged by a desire to move forward and explore new sonic terrain. “It’s been fun but I’ll be glad it’s over so we can move on,” laughs Middleton, with Moffat echoing him. “Doing the Philophobia tour has been a way of saying goodbye to those old songs,” he says. “It’s a very quiet record so I expect next year when performing live it will be banger after banger. We've earned the right to make some noise.” Doors: 7:00pm / 8:00pm start Tickets: £30 in advance (+BF) Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 28th september
The springsteen Sessions
The authentic sound of The Boss!
Feel the raw power, the intensity and the energy-all the ingredients you’d expect from a Springsteen concert- this is what you get when The Springsteen Sessions roll up their sleeves and stand before you on stage, a show that even the Jersey Devil himself would be proud of. One thing to bear in mind when coming to one of their shows is... bring you best singing voice with ya! Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 in advance / £18 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 3rd october
true crime
MURDER: STAGED with cheish merryweather
Following the success of Crime Viral's sell out UK serial killer tour - research psychologist and psychopathy expert Cheish Merryweather will be bringing to the stage for the very first time - MURDER: STAGED.
Did you know that 90% of people believe they can get away with murder - are you one of them? There will be a live psychopath test on the night to find out! The 'CSI effect' has created a new type of killer – one that is forensically aware and is out to mislead an investigation. This evening will explore the lies embedded in crime scenes and share the expertise from those who dig deep for the truth. You will investigate the five types of stagers: The Planner, The Creator, The Cleaner, The Concealer, The Inflictor. Featuring forensics, reconstructed real-life crime scene walk-throughs and a deep dive into cases that have not been seen on stage live before. This is an unmissable evening for any true crime fan! Doors: 7pm / 7:30 pm start Tickets: £20 in advance (SEATED) Strictly Over 16s: under 18s must be accompanied by a ticket holder over 18 |
friday 4th october
Baga chipz: material girl - much betta!
Baga Chipz
Material Girl - The Very Harsh, Much Betta! Tour 2024 Join Baga Chipz MBE; actress, singer-songwriter, comedian, ex-Page 3 Model, Ladies Darts Champion, professional shoplifter and MILF, as she embarks on a nationwide theatre tour coming to a town near you! Due to the success of last year's tour, the Rupaul Drag Race UK star is coming back bigger, MUCH BETTA and very, very harsh! Expect hilarious outrageous crass blue comedy, live vocals, dazzling costumes, drunken antics and the tale of a single mom from the Black Country who became one of the nation's best loved stars. Hosted by the fabulous gender bender Muther Tucker, this is one show not to be missed! This is an 18+ show so don’t bring ya bloody kids! Meet and Greet ticket (at 6:00pm): £35 Tickets: £25 (SEATED) Doors: 7pm / 7:30 pm start Strictly Over 18s only |
saturday 5th october
Theatre
SINGIN' I'M no a billy, he's a tim
Written by Des Dillon
Directed by Stephen Cafferty With Scott Kyle (Outlander, Angels Share, Kajaki and Winner of Stage Award for Acting Excellence), Colin Little (River City, Fried, Gasping, The Secret Agent) and James Miller. Israeli vs Palestinian, Catholic vs Protestant, Celtic vs Rangers... When tribal factions clash can reason ever prevail? A play exploring bigotry and ethnic identity. What happens when on the day of the Old Firm Match, you lock up a Celtic and Rangers fan in a cell together? Fireworks! And a weird kind of unity. A phenomenon in Scotland where it has sold out countless nationwide tours, been a sensation at the Edinburgh Festival and now touring Internationally. Doors: 7pm / 7.30pm start Tickets: £25 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 11th october
SAnctum sanctorium the darkside of the 80s
Formed through a mutual love of 80’s goth and alternative rock music.
Sanctum Santorium are a live 6-piece band that faithfully recreate classic hits by artists such as The Cult, Killing Joke, The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Bauhaus and more. Smoke machines at the ready with the clothes and the attitude. Visually and musically, they are startlingly accurate. SS deliver a blistering live set from 'She Sells Sanctuary' and 'Love like Blood' through to 'Bela Lugosi’s Dead' and 'This Corrosion'. Dust down your leather jacket and paint your nails and get ready to be transported to The Dark Side of the 80’s. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £15 advance / £18 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
friday 18th october
poetry/spoken word
Hollie Mcnish
'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' Sarah Millican
'Makes me cry and howl with laughter' Paapa Essiedu 'like Pam Ayres on acid' Lemn Sissay 'One of the best poets we have'. Matt Haig 'Never have we needed her more' Stylist 'Rubbish' The Telegraph |
After a run of sold out shows up and down the UK, Hollie McNish is back with a brand new book, Lobster and other things I'm learning to love. A Sunday Times bestselling writer whose live readings are not to be missed, expect strong language and adult content, gift-wrapped in gorgeously crafted poetry.
In Lobster, Hollie brings her much-loved style to questions of friendship, flags and newborns, clocks, cocks and volvos, shining a ridiculous and beautifully poetic lens upon all those things we have been taught to hate, and which we might just learn to love again. We will be hosting a book signing with Holly after the show About the Author Hollie McNish is a poet and author based between Glasgow and Cambridge. She was the first poet to record at Abbey Road Studios, London and won the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry for her poetic parenting memoir – Nobody Told Me -of which The Scotsman stated ‘The World Needs this Book’. She has published four further collections of poetry – Papers, Cherry Pie, Plum and Slug, which was a Sunday Times bestseller. Her new book, Lobster, and other things I'm learning to love is out now. She loves writing. Doors: 7pm / 7.30pm start Tickets: £12 in advance / £10 concession Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
thursday 14th november
the watch plays genesis
'The lamb lies down on broadway' 50th anniversary
The Watch are back from autumn 2024 with a brand new show, celebrating the 50th anniversary of 1974’s Genesis masterpiece The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
Each of the double concept album songs will be performed on stage. Brief snippets of narrative will help the listener unravel the mysteries at the heart of the story. The dramatic Gabrielesque vocals of The Watch singer, closest ever to Peter Gabriel, and the all-round instrumental excellence of the band will give you the opportunity to hear all the magnificent songs of one of the most successful concept albums of all time, like it was back in the days. No other group manages to capture the adventurousness and electricity of Genesis in their pioneering times with quite such raw emotion. just close your eyes and there you are in the seventies! Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £19 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 16th november
QWEEN UK
The UK's number 1 tribute act to Queen!
Through extensive touring in the UK and abroad, these 4 phenomenal musicians promise to deliver the definitive Queen 'live experience' to a very high standard. Encompassing the bands' extensive live repertoire the show will feature all the 'classic' Queen songs as well as their subtle and much-loved acoustic arrangements respectively. Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start Tickets: £18 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
Saturday 30th November
Turin Brakes Acoustic - ON SALE FRIDAY 8/3 10.00
Turin Brakes strip back to basics for an acoustic tour starting in autumn 2024.
The band explain; 'We couldn't ignore all the love we got for the first acoustic tour (in 2019) when we kept having to add more and more shows due to the demand. We ended up doing about 50 shows when we originally planned to do just one or two! So we decided to do it again and make it another very special and intimate performance. We honestly can't wait' Turin Brakes released their Mercury Prize nominated debut The Optimist Lp in March 2001 (achieving gold status in the UK) and followed it up in 2003 with their most commercially successful album - Ether Song - featuring the Top 5 hit single Pain Killer (Summer Rain). Since then the band have racked up seven top 40 singles, six top 40 albums and over a million record sales worldwide. 'It’s like dustbowl folk music refracted through inner-city noise' NME Recent live reviews cite them as ‘a formidable live act with equally killer songs’ whilst according to The Sunday Times the band ‘continue to excel’ in a 4-star review of their latest album Wide-Eyed Nowhere Doors: 7:00pm / 7.30pm start Tickets: £29.50 Seated show Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
sunday 1st december
READY steady 60s show
The best of the Mod 60's and British Beat Boom!
Four-piece live band with stunning vocals, performed with high energy and recreating the iconic era. Over 100 minute show featuring video clips, footage and voiceovers. Rated as the top authentic-sounding 60s show! Doors: 3:30pm / 4pm start Tickets: £18 in advance / £20 on the door Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
saturday 28th december
porkpie
TIME TO DANCE OFF THOSE FESTIVE (PORK)PIE(S) !
After a sell-out UK 2023 Tour, 8 Piece Ska band PORKPIE hit the road again in 2024 with their ‘Bouncin’ of the Walls’ Tour. Performing original new material from their ’Skandemic’ Album and new E.P. due early Spring along with the iconic Ska classics from The Specials, Madness, The Beat, Bad Manners and many more… this is a night not to be missed! Doors: 7pm / 8pm start Tickets: £20 in advance Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 |
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.
Opt Out of Cookies