The Bluebells - Live & in conversation
Join us at the Tolbooth Stirling for an exclusive intimate evening with The Bluebells live in concert and in conversation on 17th August!
About The Bluebells - Live & in conversation
Presented by Tolbooth as part of the ‘What Presence: the Music Photography of Harry Papadopoulos’ Exhibition, in association with Street Level Photoworks, as part of Stirling Photography Festival.
The Bluebells currently have a new highly acclaimed album available titled “The Bluebells In The 21st Century” available from Last Night From Glasgow . The Bluebells in the 21st Century (lastnightfromglasgow.com)
The Bluebells enjoyed a whirlwind career spanning the early 1980’s with a recording output including three U.K. hit singles. “I’m Falling”, “Cath” and “Young at Heart”made with a procession of producers. Guitarist and ex-fanzine publisher Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell) wrote instantly memorable classics in collaboration with the two McCluskey Brothers who completed the Bluebells’ essential troika and Kenneth McCluskey sang them in a likably unaffected voice, making every track count
With the release of their debut album “Sisters” in 1984 on London Records, the band toured widely in Europe and North America developing their live sound and signing to Seymour Stein’s Sire Records in the U.S.
Robert and the brothers parted company amicably in 1986 with Ken and David forming and releasing records as the McCluskey Brothers while Robert concentrated on song writing duties for various other artists including Texas and the late Sinead O’Connor as well as his own group The Poems.
In 1993 when “Young at Heart” hit the U.K. No 1 spot following its use as a T.V. advert for Volkswagon the chaps met up for some fun Top of the Pops appearances.
The Bluebells are delighted to be playing again having recently received two premier Scottish Music Business Awards including “The Tartan Clef Award for Song Writing.” at the star studded Nordoff –Robbins charity annual fund raiser at Glasgow Barrowlands.
Following the re-release of the Classic album repackaged “Sisters” album on the Last Night From Glasgow The Bluebells were encouraged by the label and fans to record new material which has manifested itself in the excellent new album “The Bluebells In The 21st Century” released in April 2023.
For this show they will be performing a variety of acoustic numbers as a three piece.
Panel Discussion:
In addition to the live performance, Nicola Meighan (BBC Scotland) will host a panel discussion on the photography of Harry Papadopoulos and will be joined by members of The Bluebells Ken McClusky and Robert Hodgens (Bobby Bluebell), as well as Malcolm Dickson (Director and Curator, Street Level Photoworks Glasgow). Some of Harry’s work is currently on show in Tolbooth Gallery (presented Street Level Photoworks, as part of Stirling Photography Festival) and there will be an opportunity to see the work before this event and during the interval. More here: https://stirlingevents.org/tolbooth-event/stirling-photography-festival-streetlevel-photoworks/
“Harry got a job on Sounds magazine as a staff photographer and he got a flat in London that was a home-from-home for all the Glasgow and Edinburgh bands like the Fire Engines, Orange Juice, the Bluebells, Aztec Camera and Joseph K. There would be sleeping bags all over his floor.”
“He was gung-ho and would be right up on stage, He was a guerrilla photographer. In the live shots you get lots of the sweat and frenzy of the time. There was no airbrushing. That’s why they have lasted the test of time.” Ken McCluskey
Header Image Photo Credit: The Bluebells, © Harry Papadopoulos, courtesy Street Level Photoworks
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Stirling, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Stirling? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Tolbooth Stirling or Stirling Photography Festival
Fèis Fhoirt Weekly Traditional Music Classes
Fèis Fhoirt are holding traditional music classes for young people aged 8-18 of all abilities, from complete beginner to advanced performers, on Saturday mornings at the Tolbooth Stirling.
READ MOREJohn Francis Flynn
Singer and multi-instrumentalist John Francis Flynn plays the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 19th October as part of a UK Autumn tour!
READ MORE
Amy Speace
Amy Speace is one of contemporary folk and Americana music’s leading voices of the new generation and you can catch her at the Tolbooth Stirling on Tuesday 29th October!
READ MORE
Anna Massie
Anna Massie is one of Scotland’s foremost guitarists and she brings her solo tour to the Tolbooth Stirling on Wednesday 30th October!
READ MORE
Roddy Woomble
Roddy Woomble is widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest songwriters don't miss him when he returns to the Tolbooth Stirling on 31st October!
READ MORE
Blue Rose Code
Edinburgh born songwriter Ross Wilson is Blue Rose Code. Catch him and his band when he returns to the Tolbooth on 6th November!
READ MORE
King Creosote
Equally commanding whether playing live to capacity crowds or serenading fans in the fishing pubs and pottery shops of Crail and Anstruther, don't miss King Creosote at the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MORE
Autisim Through An Autistic Lens
This exhibition at the Tolbooth Stirling compiles different forms of artwork – including photography, collage, and illustrations – created by autistic people to communicate their experiences.
READ MORE
Kai Humphries: Gallivanting
Co-star of the brilliantly funny podcast Sloss and Humphries on the Road, Kai Humphries brings his new show 'Gallivanting' to the Tolbooth Stirling on 16th November!
READ MORE
Bruce Molsky
Bruce Molsky is one of the most revered 'multi-hyphenated career' ambassadors for America’s old-time mountain music and you can catch him at the Tolbooth Stirling on 20th November!
READ MORE
Beans on Toast
Cult legend and all-round hero ‘Beans on Toast’ will take to the road this winter for The Wild Goose Chase, an extensive tour of the UK, visiting the Tolbooth Stirling on 22nd November!
READ MORE
James Grant
Don't miss James Grant, one of the most renowned and respected performers Scotland has ever produced, when he returns to the Tolbooth on 23rd November!
READ MORE
Afterlands + Jill Lorean
Catch Afterlands at the Tolbooth Stirling on Tuesday 26th November with support from Jill Lorean.
READ MORE
Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, don't miss him live at the Tolbooth Stirling on 28th November!
READ MORE
Turin Brakes
Don't miss Turin Brakes perform a stripped back acoustic set in an intimate setting at the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MORE
Genesis Visible Touch
Genesis Visible Touch are the ultimate Phil Collins-era Genesis show. Catch them when they return to The Tolbooth, Stirling on 30th November!
READ MORE
Chris Helme - World of my Own Tour
Chris Helme is set to bring a collection of brand new material to audiences for the first time in a decade, as he tours his much-anticipated forthcoming album, World of my Own.
READ MORE
Siobhan Miller
One of Scotland's most celebrated folk singer-songwriters, Siobhan Miller embarks on her first-ever full band tour this November and December and plays The Tolbooth on 14th December!
READ MORE
Connor Burns - 1994
From one of the most exciting emerging new stars in the UK's live stand-up scene, 1994 is Edinburgh native Connor Burns third solo hour, don't miss him live at the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MORE
Speakers from the Edge presents: Sean Conway – Endurance
In ‘Endurance’, Sean Conway takes audiences on the journey, from miserable school portrait photographer, to world record holder!
READ MORE
Darren Kiely
Darren Kiely brings his folk-infused pop sound to the Tolbooth on Friday 28th February as part of the 'never been here before' tour!
READ MORE
Gary Faulds Live 4.0
4.0 is Gary Faulds fourth tour, come and join him for a night of interactive stand-up madness at the Tolbooth Stirling in March!
READ MORE
CODA - A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
CODA are the only proper four-piece Zep tribute band in Europe that looks and sounds as close to the real thing as possible. Catch them when they play the Tolbooth Stirling in August 2025!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Bannockburn House Ghost Hunt w/ Haunted Rooms
Join Haunted Rooms for a thrilling ghost hunt at Bannockburn House! This historic site offers a chilling adventure.
READ MORE
Sunday Pub Quiz
Join us at The Crook Bar & Bistro for our weekly fun quiz, free to enter and with a weekly prize and also cash raffle!
READ MORE
Open Mic Night At Slanj-A-Va
Ready to showcase your talent? Then come along to the monthly Open Mic night At Slanj-A-Va!
READ MORE
Monthly Quiz Night
Join us for our monthly Quiz Night at the Highland Gate in Stirling. With a quiz, play your cards right & music bingo its one not to miss!
READ MORE
The Mini Guns
Get ready to rock with The Mini Guns as they take the stage at The Riverside Inn, Callander!
READ MORE
Royal Ballet and Opera: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Tumble down the rabbit hole in this ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s famous family story, screening at Macrobert Arts Centre.
READ MORE
Hue and Cry
Legendary Scottish pop band Hue And Cry are set to embark on their 40th Anniversary Tour and they will play The Albert Halls on 18th October 2024!
READ MORE
Substate Comedy Club
The Substate Comedy Club is back to blow away those post-summer blues on Friday 18th October at The Royal Oak in Alloa!
READ MORE
John Francis Flynn
Singer and multi-instrumentalist John Francis Flynn plays the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 19th October as part of a UK Autumn tour!
READ MOREFind other events in Stirling
Sponsored Links