Lulu gives Games something to Shout about

Lulu's gig will mark the opening at Celtic Park. Picture: Simon Hulme

Glasgow Green and the recently refurbished Kelvingrove bandstand will host gigs marking the beginning and end of the 2014 Games.

Organisers hope the concerts will attract thousands of people to the city venues to watch the musical acts as well as take in the Games ceremonies, being broadcast live on big screens.

The concerts have been announced after the organising committee was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to include the demolition of the city’s notorious Red Road flats in the opening ceremony.

Lulu will headline the line-up at Glasgow Green on 23 July to mark the opening at Celtic Park.

Others on the bill include Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes, Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire, James Grant, Sarah Hayes, Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert.

Lulu said she was delighted to kick off a “momentous” event in her home city. “The Games are going to be amazing. Glasgow has much to shout about this year – and I look forward to cheering our sporting heroes on to success at the Games.

“I am delighted to join thousands of Glaswegians and those from across the Commonwealth on Glasgow Green to celebrate the opening of such a momentous event.”

Kelvingrove bandstand will be the focus of “party” celebrations on the day of the opening ceremony, featuring Glasgow band Belle and Sebastian, who backed the call for the £2.1 million refurbishment of the historic bandstand. Singer Stuart Murdoch said: “The bandstand is like a dream within a dream. We’re very pleased to be playing there.”

To coincide with the closing ceremony on 3 August, organisers claim the Glasgow Green event will “give everyone a chance to relive the highlights” with special guests promised.

At the Kelvingrove bandstand, the closing ceremony celebrations will open with a new commission from Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, performing with Tam Dean Burn and multi-instrumentalist Corey Mwamba.

There will also be classical music before the screening of the ceremony itself.

Eileen Gallagher, an independent board member for Glasgow 2014, said: “This is Glasgow’s time to shine and we want as many people as possible to celebrate this amazing time in the city’s life, with thousands gathered together on Glasgow Green and at Kelvingrove bandstand. The opening and closing ceremonies will bring city, nation and Commonwealth together and we want everyone to be a part of that.”

Tickets for the opening concert at Glasgow Green are priced at £20, with £10 for concessions and family tickets from £40. The closing ceremony tickets are priced at £10, £5 (concessions), with family tickets from £20.

At Kelvingrove, tickets for the opening ceremony party are priced at £25, £12.50 (concession), with family tickets from £55. Prices for the closing event are £10, £5 and £20 respectively.

Tickets are on sale from 10am today and are available via www.glasgowlife.org.uk or by calling 0844 844 0444.