As Glasgow’s 850th birthday celebrations continue, the city isn’t just reflecting on its past—it’s singing into the future. This month, music takes centre stage with Clyde Chorus, a three-day celebration of Glasgow’s story in sound. Taking place across multiple venues along the River Clyde, the event showcases the city’s incredible musical talent and highlights its global status as a UNESCO City of Music. The lineup features Nathan Evans & The Saint Phnx Band, Scottish Opera, Nina Nesbitt, Lucia & the Best Boys, Lizzie Reid, and many more still to be announced. It’s a fitting tribute to a city where music is more than entertainment—it’s identity.
Here are 8.5 things to know about why Glasgow truly earns its title as a City of Music.
1. Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music
Since 2008, Glasgow has proudly held the title of the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, joining the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UNESCO, 2025). The designation celebrates the city’s rich musical heritage, dedication to inclusivity, and world-class infrastructure that supports music at every level – from community choirs to international acts.
2. City Living Through Sound
On any given week, Glasgow hosts more than 130 live music events, more than any other Scottish city – emphasising its status as the musical capital of the country (UNESCO, 2025). Whether it’s a classical orchestra, an indie gig, or a late-night DJ set, this is a city where music doesn’t just happen – it thrives and permeates daily life.
3. Music Means Business
Glasgow is home to over half of Scotland’s music workforce, with music businesses estimated to generate approximately £75 million annually for Glasgow’s economy (Williams, 2025).
4. Legendary Venues, Local Spirit
Glasgow’s venues are its musical heartbeat. From iconic halls like the Barrowland’s and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut – where Oasis was famously discovered in 1993 (Marszaleck, 2025) - to genre-defining clubs like SWG3 and Sub Club, home to the world’s longest-running weekly house and techno night ‘Subculture’ (Geddes and Allan, 2024), the city offers performance spaces for every sound and story.
5. A Hub for Music Education
Glasgow boasts the highest density of higher education music institutions in Scotland, including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, and Glasgow Caledonian University. These schools nurture Scotland’s highest concentration of music students in classical, contemporary, and experimental music disciplines.
6. Leading National Institutions
Cultural excellence is hardwired into Glasgow’s DNA. The city is home to four of Scotland’s five national performing arts companies, including Scottish Opera and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Add the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and the Scottish Ensemble, and the city's musical influence speaks for itself (SIPC, 2023).
7. Launchpad for Breakout Artists
Glasgow isn’t just a city with a great music scene – it’s a city that makes musicians. Over the decades, it’s launched the careers of chart-topping bands – from the post-punk edge of Franz Ferdinand and the rock anthems of The Fratelli’s, to the folk-pop charm of Nina Nesbitt and the anthemic sound of Simple Minds (LastFM, 2025). Glasgow continues to produce talent that resonates far beyond Scotland.
8. Glasgow’s Festival Scene
Glasgow’s festival scene is a key part of its musical identity, drawing music lovers from around the world. Major events like TRNSMT festival, celebrating indie and rock music, and Celtic Connections, showcasing world and folk music, highlight the city’s diversity. Glasgow also hosts the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships annually at Glasgow Green, where top pipe bands from across the globe compete. Together, these events create a dynamic calendar that cements Glasgow as one of Europe’s most vibrant cities for music lovers and performers alike.
8.5. Busker Code of Conduct
Glasgow is one of the few UK cities with a dedicated Busker Code of Conduct, supporting street performers while keeping the city centre vibrant and welcoming (Scott, 2024). From Buchanan Street to Merchant City, buskers are a regular part of the city’s soundscape – some even going on to perform at the major venues mentioned above (Waddell, 2025)!
From historic venues to vibrant street performances, music has shaped Glasgow’s identity for generations. Clyde Chorus is a fitting tribute—celebrating 850 years of a city where sound, culture, and community are deeply intertwined. Find out more and celebrate Clyde Chorus here https://www.clydechorus.co.uk/
Business Glasgow
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