Kelvingrove Park Bandstand

The Kelvingrove Park Bandstand
The Kelvingrove Park Bandstand
( 1924 )


Once a common feature, traditional bandstands are now increasingly scarce in the UK's parks. Kelvingrove's bandstand dates from 1924-5. Possibly designed by James Miller, or designed in-house by the City Parks Department the bandstand is unusual for its amphitheatre seating and its picturesque riverside setting. Although exceedingly popular for band concerts in the 1950s to outdoor gigs in the 1990's, the bandstand fell into disuse in recent years. Now recognised as a rare example of its type, the Kelvingrove Bandstand was listed as Category B in 2000 and is now the subject of an ambitious community-based scheme to restore and revitalise the facility as a venue for a wide range of open-air performances and events.

Update May 2014- We are delighted to announce that work has been completed on the restoration of Kelvingrove Park Bandstand.
  • Unique - the only Bandstand left in Glasgow. Very few of a comparable design exist anywhere in Scotland.
    Now B-listed by Historic Scotland due to it's 'cultural and social significance'.

  • Purpose-built design - with excellent sight lines and open-air acoustics, this is a strong, simple structure which would be easily maintained once properly restored. The amphitheatre seats around 3,000, or 7,000 standing.

  • Popular venue - home to thousands of concerts and events over the years, from Military Bands to old-time Music Hall, Glasgow's first-ever Steel Band Festival and the Radio Clyde Rock Concert series.

  • Great (and safe) for kids - the six years of the Woodlands Fun Days for Children, with audiences growing every year from 1993-98 proved the Bandstand's continued usefulness with a 100% safety record.


    Woodlands Fun Day

    See more photos of bandstand
    events in our photo gallery

  • Part of our heritage - since the park began in 1851, bandstands have always been part of its design, the present bandstand dates from 1924.



  • Easy Access - by subway from anywhere in the city, and by buses to Sauchiehall St./ Woodlands Rd./ University Avenue.


Please click here to see a 360degree Panorama of the Bandstand

News - May 2014

We are delighted to announce that work has been completed on the restoration of Kelvingrove Park Bandstand - thanks to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, the architects, funders and the contractors who did a great job with the renovation.
When the Friends of Kelvingrove Park started the campaign to save the bandstand we didn't expect it would take so long, but it has definitely been worth it to see this popular piece of Glasgow's history restored.
The venue is now being run by Glasgow Life and events have already been announced for Summer 2014, starting with the Glasgow Mela on 6th/7th June 2014 and including a series of concerts in August 2014.

You can see images of the bandstand restoration and many other stories and events in Kelvingrove Park on our our Facebook page.


Summer - 2010
Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project
The Bandstand and Amphitheatre Project Report is funded by Glasgow City Council, Friends of Kelvingrove Park, Charing Cross Housing Association, Designworks, Park Road Pharmacy, Grass Roots Wholefoods, Copy and Print Shop, Woodlands and Park Community Council, and individual members of Friends of Kelvingrove Park.
Winter - 2009
Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project
Bandstand leafletThe Friends of Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow City Council parks officials are currently working with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to make this long-awaited dream a reality. You can download our leaflet on the Bandstand restoration here .
News - 2007
Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project
Please see the Home Page for more current bandstand news.

Bandstand Motion in Scottish Parliament
The Friends of Kelvingrove Park received a great boost for the bandstand restoration campaign recently, when Pauline McNeill MSP put forward the following motion to the Scottish Parliament:
"S2M-04276 Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
That the Parliament congratulates the Friends of Kelvingrove Park for their excellent campaign to have Glasgow's last remaining bandstand restored to its former and deserved glory; notes the proposals to have Edinburgh's Ross Bandstand upgraded as a major new cultural facility; further notes that Historic Scotland has declared that the Kelvingrove Bandstand has cultural and social significance; welcomes the support to the campaign from contemporary Scottish music acts Belle and Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand and Teenage Fanclub; further notes that the Heritage Lottery fund which is currently considering a funding application has previously provided support to some 50-plus bandstand restoration projects across the United Kingdom, and calls on Glasgow City Council to lead the way in ensuring that a viable and sustainable future can be secured for this proud piece of the city's heritage and so create a unique open air venue in the heart of Glasgow's West End.
"


Bandstand Project - waiting for Council's backing
There has been lots of support for our project from various quarters: a motion in the Scottish Parliament, support from internationally famous bands, theatre companies and an extensive array of people from all areas of the arts and public life.
All it needs now is Council approval for the project to move forward with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. You could help us by contacting your local city councillor via this webpage, http://www.writetothem.com/, and letting them know that you support the restoration of the bandstand in Kelvingrove.
Thanks for all of your continued interest and support.

Some excerpts from the plan drawings for the bandstand restoration


News - Summer 2005

Bandstand Restoration Business Plan - presentation

This brief presentation outlines part of the Business Plan for the restoration of the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand and Amphitheatre, produced by Gen Consulting Ltd. and funded by Glasgow City Council Land Services, Glasgow Conservation Society West and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.

News - Spring 2005
Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project
The Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project has now reached a critical stage, with the handing-over of the draft Business Plan to the City Council Parks Officers. We have asked them to come up with constructive comments on the report, and to respond positively to the principle of restoring the bandstand and amphitheatre as a public facility. A lot of money and effort has been spent on a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for the bandstand, but so far councillors and officials from Glasgow City Council have managed to avoid making a clear commitment to restore the bandstand.
If you wish to express support or find out further information about the Bandstand and Amphitheatre project, then you please contact us using the address below, or youn can visit our stall in the upper-hall of Hillhead Library during the West End Festival on 12th June. Tea and Coffee will be provided.

'Famous musicians support Kelvingrove Bandstand'

Belle and Sebastian, and Teenage Fanclub (at a photoshoot in the Glasgow Transport Museum). Both bands very kindly posed for photos for us. They are strongly supporting our campaign to restore the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand into a popular working music venue, without selling-off Glasgow's Parkland in the process.


Belle & Sebastian

Teenage Fanclub


News - Spring 2003

Haven't had time to update the website for a while, but there has been significant progress on the project funding. The bandstand project has been approved by the City Council, and is now in line for consideration for Historic Scotland funding. However, this is likely to be a lengthy process, so we're also applying for City Council Landfill Tax Credits. Hopefully more progress to report soon.
The funding stage is difficult as, at present, people walk past and see a 'fenced-off building' without being aware of its structural strength, historical importance and potential for enhancing the area. It'll be a relief to see restoration work eventually start on the building, and at some point get productions on stage and crowds back into the auditorium.

News - Spring 2002

There was a meeting of 'Friends of Kelvingrove Park' at Hillhead Library on Thursday 7th February 2002 to launch the Kelvingrove "Bandstand Feasibility Study". The music of the Johnny 7 got things off to a nice surreal start, followed by a presentation of the feasibility study by Neil Baxter Associates, which was very well received. The group are now consulting with the City Council and various potential funders of the project on how satisfy their criteria and allow the restoration project to proceed.

News - Summer 2001

The Bandstand has suffered from some vandalism and has had fencing erected to prevent further damage. The restoration project is slowly but surely getting off the ground, and work should start in the not too distant future.



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