Glasgow Sessions

glasgowsessions

🎙️ The Glasgow Sessions celebrates the authentic heart of Glasgow's live music and poetry scene through raw performances, real venues, and true stories. Join host Richard Lee as he ventures into beloved local spots across the city, capturing original spoken word and live music from passionate performers 🎤🎵. Each episode features exclusive recordings of poets, musicians, and artists sharing their craft in intimate venue settings, alongside candid interviews that reveal the stories behind the art 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨. Whether you're drawn to powerful spoken word performances, traditional Scottish music, or contemporary original compositions, this podcast brings you backstage access to the city's most genuine cultural experiences 🎸📝. Through immersive storytelling and authentic conversations, Richard creates a comprehensive record of Glasgow's thriving grassroots scene—capturing not just the performances, but the people and places that make them possible 🎧💫. Discover the voices, hear the stories, and immerse yourself in Glasgow's creative spirit—one session at a time 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎶.

Episodes

  1. 2 FEB

    Episode - #9 - Keeks Mc

    Recorded in Glasgow just days before the Scottish Languages Act 2025 passed, this episode of Glasgow Sessions captures Scots language poet Keeks Mc right on the cusp of a historic shift for the language. At the time of our conversation, Scots was still fighting for formal recognition – still too often dismissed in institutions – even as poets like Keeks were proving that it is a living, contemporary literary medium. We talk about what it means to start writing at 40 and rapidly become one of the most distinctive Scots voices in the country, her award‑winning collections Rede Wi Yer Hert and Contermacious Temerity, and the joy and graft of choosing to write exclusively in her ain leed. The conversation ranges through class and language prejudice, humour as a form of resilience, mental health, and the responsibilities that come with speaking from and for a community. Together we also dig into the backlash faced by Len Pennie (@misspunnypennie) and the huge, undeniable impact she’s had in bringing Scots into everyday feeds, classrooms, and conversations. We talk solidarity, nuance, and why visible, vocal Scots creators matter so much at this particular moment in time. This is Keeks’ first ever podcast interview – a genuine world‑first for Glasgow Sessions – and you can feel what’s at stake for both Scots and Scottish poetry running underneath the whole conversation. If you enjoy the episode, please follow us on Instagtam @glasgowsessions, share, and tell a friend. The goal for Glasgow Sessions is to grow onto platforms like BBC Sounds and reach a wider international audience with the voices, stories, and languages that make this city what it is – and your support is a huge part of making that happen. Glasgow Sessions is created and hosted by Richard Lee.

    1h 4m
  2. 1 FEB

    Episode - #9 - Keeks Mc

    Recorded in Glasgow just days before the Scottish Languages Act 2025 passed, this episode of Glasgow Sessions captures Scots language poet Keeks Mc right on the cusp of a historic shift for the language. At the time of our conversation, Scots was still fighting for formal recognition – still too often dismissed in institutions – even as poets like Keeks were proving that it is a living, contemporary literary medium. We talk about what it means to start writing at 40 and rapidly become one of the most distinctive Scots voices in the country, her award‑winning collections Rede Wi Yer Hert and Contermacious Temerity, and the joy and graft of choosing to write exclusively in her ain leed. The conversation ranges through class and language prejudice, humour as a form of resilience, mental health, and the responsibilities that come with speaking from and for a community. Together we also dig into the backlash faced by Len Pennie (@misspunnypennie) and the huge, undeniable impact she’s had in bringing Scots into everyday feeds, classrooms, and conversations. We talk solidarity, nuance, and why visible, vocal Scots creators matter so much at this particular moment in time. This is Keeks’ first ever podcast interview – a genuine world‑first for Glasgow Sessions – and you can feel what’s at stake for both Scots and Scottish poetry running underneath the whole conversation. If you enjoy the episode, please follow us on Instagtam @glasgowsessions, share, and tell a friend. The goal for Glasgow Sessions is to grow onto platforms like BBC Sounds and reach a wider international audience with the voices, stories, and languages that make this city what it is – and your support is a huge part of making that happen. Glasgow Sessions is created and hosted by Richard Lee.

    1h 5m
  3. 26/09/2025

    Episode #4 - Tyler Kerr, Cat Cochrane, & Hannah Doyle

    🎙️ Welcome back to Glasgow Sessions! In this episode, your host Richard Lee sits down with three brilliant Glasgow poets — Tyler Kerr, Cat Cochrane & Hannah Doyle ✨. We’re diving deep into the world of words, creativity, and the real-life stories behind the poems. Expect heartfelt performances 🎤 that’ll hit you right in the feels ❤️, alongside some open and honest chats about mental health 🧠. Each poet shares their own ways of looking after themselves — from daily rituals to little acts of kindness that keep them grounded 🌱. But don’t worry, it’s not all heavy — there are plenty of laughs 😂 along the way. Tyler, Cat, and Hannah bring not just their poetry, but their personality, humour, and warmth to the mic, making this a truly special session. It’s that perfect mix of meaningful conversations + good vibes 💫. Whether you’re a poetry lover 📚, someone curious about how creatives look after their wellbeing 🌸, or just in the mood for a good listen while you’re out on a walk 🚶, cooking dinner 🍳, or chilling with a cuppa ☕ — this one’s for you. So plug in your headphones 🎧, hit play ▶️, and join us for an episode that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of speaking openly about mental health. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this one 💥. #GlasgowSessions #PoetryCommunity #MentalHealthMatters #GlasgowCreatives #PodcastLife #SpokenWord #PoetryLovers #Wellbeing

    1h 1m
  4. 14/09/2025

    Glasgow sessions #3 - Trad Music from the Aragon & Park Bar

    In this episode of Glasgow Sessions, host Richard Lee takes listeners on a journey through some of the city’s most iconic live music spaces. ✨ First stop is The Aragon on Byres Road, a cornerstone of Glasgow’s West End tradition. Here, Irish fiddle virtuoso Rowan Leslie joins forces with Andrew Waite, the innovative accordionist from the Borders, alongside Aly MacKenzie of the six-piece band TRIP, with Darren and Patrick completing the line-up. Together, they create an electrifying set that blends Scottish and Irish roots with jazz, contemporary improvisation, and the unmistakable energy of Glasgow’s live scene. 🍻 Next, Richard visits The Park Bar on Argyle Street, a legendary institution since 1895 and long-time gathering place for Highland and Island communities in the city. Listeners are treated to a session featuring Orin Simpson on accordion, David Small on guitar, Ruairidh Iain Buxton on flute, Finlay MacVicar on smallpipes and voice, and Aly Williams on pipes and whistle – musicians who embody tradition while pushing it forward. 🔥 Finally, the episode captures an impromptu set from the legendary Gunna Sound, thanks to a tip-off from Glasgow poet Ross Wilcock. With Campbell Brown on accordion and Johnny Scoular on guitar, the duo deliver the west coast ceilidh sound that has made them one of Scotland’s most respected acts for over four decades. Throughout the episode, Richard reflects on Glasgow’s unique role in keeping Scottish and Irish traditional music alive, intimate, and constantly evolving. 🎧 Listen now: 🟦 Spotify 🍏 Apple Podcasts 🛒 Amazon Music 👉 Behind-the-scenes updates → Instagram @glasgowsessions 💌 Support the project → Patreon.com/GlasgowSessions #GlasgowSessions #LiveMusicGlasgow #TradMusic #ScottishMusic #IrishMusic #Ceilidh #FolkMusic #CelticConnections #ByresRoad #ParkBar #WestEndGlasgow #GlasgowTradScene #RowanLeslie #AndrewWaite #TRIPBand #GunnaSound #CeolAnAire #Rhuvaal #EriskaBand #AlyWilliamsBand #SupportLiveMusic #ScottishCulture #GlasgowLife #HighlandMusic #GaelicSong #FiddleMusic #AccordionMusic #Smallpipes #FluteMusic #FolkFusion #WestCoastSound

    1 hr

About

🎙️ The Glasgow Sessions celebrates the authentic heart of Glasgow's live music and poetry scene through raw performances, real venues, and true stories. Join host Richard Lee as he ventures into beloved local spots across the city, capturing original spoken word and live music from passionate performers 🎤🎵. Each episode features exclusive recordings of poets, musicians, and artists sharing their craft in intimate venue settings, alongside candid interviews that reveal the stories behind the art 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨. Whether you're drawn to powerful spoken word performances, traditional Scottish music, or contemporary original compositions, this podcast brings you backstage access to the city's most genuine cultural experiences 🎸📝. Through immersive storytelling and authentic conversations, Richard creates a comprehensive record of Glasgow's thriving grassroots scene—capturing not just the performances, but the people and places that make them possible 🎧💫. Discover the voices, hear the stories, and immerse yourself in Glasgow's creative spirit—one session at a time 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎶.