THE overwhelming excitement surrounding the Art School's return is weird when you consider that since the Vic Bar's untimely demise, we've still had an Art School.

For some reason, the bar that has been deputising - the former Capitol in Sauchiehall Street - never really took off, and despite a healthy gig schedule it was often empty on what should have been busy weekend nights.

The chances of the same happening to the new union are, to put it lightly, remote.

Tonight sees the Vic and The Assembly Hall, now located at 20 Scott Street, very much back in business with a reopening weekend of epic proportions.

Murlo, Stellar OM Source and Svengalisghost kick off the union's new era tonight with a six-hour journey through the world of modern underground techno and grime, no doubt with a guestlist that reads like a creative world power list. Tomorrow night has Optimo's Wilkes and Nightwave alongside the excellent Miaoux Miaoux, who's playing live, and on Saturday join the city's foremost reggae crew Mungo's Hi-Fi for a 4am finish.

l The Art School Reopening: Croc Vs. Croc, tonight, The Art School, 9pm-3am, £10.

l Bondage Education, tomorrow, The Art School, 11pm-3am, £5.

l The Return of Mungo's Hi-Fi, Saturday, The Art School, 11pm-4am, £12.

Club return

THE Art School isn't the only institution coming back from an extended break this weekend.

The Arches has been uncharacteristically quiet throughout January, but that ends on Saturday when the all-conquering Dutch brothers Showtek roll into town.

Having established themselves in dance music's premier league through collaborations with Tiesto and an Ibizan residency with David Guetta, they're set for another massive year: a North American tour and more studio work in the pipeline.

This means you'll be hearing their ubiquitous hit Booyah and similarly-sized banging tunes for the foreseeable future.

l Showtek, Saturday, The Arches, 10pm-3am, Sold Out.

Kokomo fun

HAVING laid waste to Subculture just two weekends ago, Numbers favourite Jackmaster swaps the Subbie for the rather unlikely surrounds of Kokomo on Monday.

He's going back to back with another Subbie mainstay: Jasper James, who kicked off the year supporting the legendary Derrick Carter.

They're no strangers to midweek carnage over in West Regent Street, and with free entry for students and drinks starting at £1, I would prepare for ludicrous scenes.

l MileHigh with Jackmaster, Monday, Kokomo, 11pm-3am, free for trade staff and students.

Back to 90s

VERKTA Records' Glaswegian prodigy RDRK is the main attraction at Vice's 90s-themed first night. Well, him and the shellsuits.

There's a period dress code, cheesy pop, house and techno beats, and guaranteed good time vibes.

Local house merchants Late Nate, Berto and Jordan Reynolds complete the Glasgow-centric lineup.

Opening nights are usually pretty fun: there's always a buzz, enthusiasm hasn't dried up yet, and the DJs are out to impress.

l Vice: '90s Night, Saturday, 69 Below, 11pm-3am, £3.