Into Creative were fortunate enough to have a sneak preview of the wonderful music photography exhibition that is currently running at Stirling’s Tolbooth theatre and we have a message for you. Go! You will be simply thrilled…

Exhibition/Gig: What Presence: the Music Photography of Harry Papadopoulos/ The Bluebells
Date(s): Exhibition – 3 August – 28 September  Gig – 17 August
Venue: Stirling Tolbooth 

The exhibition runs from the start of August right through to 28 September with the predominate focus on the music photography of Harry Papadopoulos. Harry was self-taught and honed his camera skills taking snaps of any band worth their salt in the late 1970s and into the 1980s, eventually working for Sounds magazine amongst others. There are plenty of Scottish bands on display with early photos of Simple Minds, Orange Juice, Strawberry Switchblade and The Pastels to name but a few. Of course, there was also a steady supply of touring bands coming through Glasgow and included are some amazing images of The Clash, The Cramps, Patti Smith, Blondie and Nick Cave.

The exhibition has been curated by Ken McCluskey (singer with The Bluebells) and Malcolm Dickson who painstakingly worked through thousands of images to bring the best of Harry Papadopoulos to exhibitions across the UK, Europe and now Stirling! Speaking of Stirling, author David Meldrum Lowe has also donated a number of photos and ephemera which track the music scene in Stirling and Clackmannanshire from pre 1950s to 1989 (check out his book Keeping the Stories Alive). Not only that but a number of local people (including Billy McChord and Ewen Duncan from Europa Music) have donated other items which bring alive some of the fanzines and bands from years back. The Fakes, Those French Girls and 22 Beaches (who supported Orange Juice at the Mayfield Centre, St.Ninians) are well represented. Oh, and it’s free to attend to do check it out. 

On Saturday 17 August, a special panel of Ken, Malcolm and Robert Hodgens will take part in a discussion of Harry’s work which will be hosted by the broadcaster Nicola Meighan. If that wasn’t enough, The Bluebells will then take to the stage to play an acoustic set which is sure to include belters from their back catalogue such as Young at Heart and Cath plus a few choice selections from their recent album The Bluebells: in the 21st Century.   

There will also be a free panel event which is scheduled for 6.30pm on 04th September which will include members of 22 Beaches, The Fakes, Pop Wallpaper as well as Ewen Duncan, David Meldrum Lowe and Ken McCluskey talking about the Stirling scene, Harry’s influence and beyond. Again, not to be missed and tickets are available via Eventbrite. 

A great exhibition and one of Scotland’s best known bands coming to Stirling. Get along to both, you won’t regret it. More details here. 

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John Welsh
@welshjb

Links:

@urbancrofter62
@Tolbooth
@Nicola_Meighan
@StirlingCouncil
@StirlingPF