GLASGOW songbird Lulu and indie favourites Belle and Sebastian will get the party started for the Commonwealth Games with city-wide celebrations.

The Dennistoun-born singer is to perform at Glasgow Green alongside a host of Scottish acts to coincide with the opening ceremony at Celtic Park on July 23.

Across the city, cult band Belle and Sebastian will headline events at the newly restored £2.1million band-stand in Kelvingrove Park.

The Festival 2014 Opening Ceremony Parties will kick off 12 days of live entertainment, with hundreds of performers appearing during the Games.

Revellers will also be able to watch all the action from the opening and closing ceremon-ies at the park celebrations.

Lulu will be joined by artists including Eddi Reader, James Grant and Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire. Tickets go on sale today and £1 from each brief will be donated to children's charity Unicef.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the best Scottish food and drink at a food village.

Lulu said: "My home city has an incredible, worldwide reputation for friendliness and enjoying a good-old get together.

"The Opening Ceremony Celebration on Glasgow Green is the perfect occasion to invite everyone to join the party."

Belle and Sebastian will be the first band to perform at the newly revamped bandstand in Kelvingrove Park as they kick off the 2014 party in the city's West End.

Drummer Richard Colburn said: "We have been fans of the bandstand for a while.

"Stuart (Murdoch) was quite vocal about it over the years and it's fantastic that it's happening now. It's going to be really special. It's a perfect amphitheatre."

Celebrations to mark the closing ceremony at Hampden Park on August 3 will give everyone a chance to relive the highlights of the Games with Treacherous Orchestra leading a rousing party on Glasgow Green, along with surprise guests.

Events at the bandstand will include a new commission from Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra and classical music from Scottish Opera.

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games, said: "Glasgow will burst into life during Games times. Every-one will want to celebrate and where better than in some of our most iconic locations."

Tickets for the Festival 2014 Opening and Closing Ceremony Parties start at £5 and are available from 10am at www.glasgowlife.org.uk or by calling 0844 844 0444.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk