MUSIC legends Slam have a knack for knowing what is going to capture the Scottish public.

From the infamous T in the Park Slam Tent, renowned club night Maximum Pressure and now, Riverside Festival, everything the duo touches, turns to gold.

Made up of Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle, Slam have played a pivotal role in making Glasgow the hub of talent it is today while making an impact worldwide through their own releases and those of their own label, Soma.

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You would be hard pushed to find someone in Glasgow, or even Scotland, who hasn’t heard of or experienced the Slam Tent. Until the Kinross, and later Strathallan Castle, event called it a day in 2017, the reputation of the tent had become almost bigger than the festival itself.

In more recent years, Slam have turned their attention to the Riverside Festival held at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum, which has given them the opportunity to take over a whole event, multiple stages and even more acts.

A museum might not be the most predictable location for an electronic music festival, but for the past six years, it has proved to be the right one.

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The Riverside Festival has brought the best electronic music artists to the banks of the River Clyde while building a bigger audience year on year with the likes of Fat Boy Slim and Groove Armada appearing on the bill.

This year, the museum will be open for festival goers to enjoy an indoor stage.lam

“We work with our manager Dave and Mark and Brian from Electric Frog on bookings and programming and the rest of the team get on with the production and promotion”, they explain.

“It’s in its sixth year and bigger than ever – the crowds can expect the best cutting edge dance music the world has to offer, alongside many local talents.

“It’s been great working with Glasgow Life who are responsible for cultural events in Glasgow and it’s great they see this celebration of electronic music as part of that.

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“As a city Glasgow punches way above it’s weight when it comes to electronic music – as well as ourselves and other Soma affiliated artists like Petrichor & Gary Beck there have been so many Glasgow success stories with DJs, clubs, producers and labels.

“Jackmaster, Denis Sulta, Optimo, Sub Club, Numbers, Hudson Mohawke – the list goes on – it’s an extremely vibrant and dynamic scene with healthy roots.”

Staying on top of the latest artists coming through on the scene is no easy feat but a passion for the job keeps Slam and Soma going.

The label is celebrating its 25th anniversary at the forefront of electronic music.

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“It’s passion-led and we have retained the passion – running a label is not a career choice – it’s something that we have to do.

“We have had so many highlights – from meeting Daft Punk at an early gig we played in Paris and releasing their first three records to touring America on the back of our early big success ‘Positive Education’.

Playing at and curating the Slam Tent at T in the Park for 20 years is definitely up there.

“We are as excited about the Soma stage at this year’s Riverside festival as we were at any point in the past – there is so much good new fresh techno music coming through and the Glasgow crowd is as up for it as ever.”

Since the closure of The Arches, Finnieston venue SWG3 has become the stomping ground for dance music events and is now the home of Maximum Pressure.

Now up to three parties a year, including one massive Easter Sunday rave, Slam’s dare to do something different has well and truly paid off.

“We decided to do three parties a year utilising the entire complex – we play in the newly renovated Galvanisers Yard with its five metre high ceilings and industrial architecture – possibly one of the best techno spaces in the world.

“By doing fewer events and making each special with a high level of production, an adventurous booking policy and creating a big sense of occasion, we have managed to get the Glasgow club scene excited and each so far has been a big success. The next one is not until Hallowe’en and already tickets are flying.”

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In the future, the pair are looking to continue to help nurture new talent through a ‘Soma Skool’ educational event.

“From a Slam perspective we have a new ‘Archive’ series of singles coming this year with our re-edits of tracks we played in the past – and also we are finishing a new album which should be out by the end of the year. Upwards and onwards.”

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Riverside Festival takes place on May 26 and 27 and will feature performances from Jackmaster, Leftfield, Paula Temple, Lady Starlight, Dixon, Dax J, Green Velvet, Adam Beyer, Skream. Slam curate and host their Pressure Stage.

WHAT TO SEE IN GLASGOW THIS WEEK:

We Are Scientists
Tonight,
The Garage

Glasgow Times: We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists will be coming to Glasgow ahead of the release of their sixth album Megaplex.

The New York-based rock/indie band have amassed a cult following through their hit singles ‘After Hours’, ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ and ‘Chick Lit’.

The band say some of their most memorable shows have been in the city, so this is set to be no different.

BUY TICKETS FOR WE ARE SCIENTISTS HERE 

Rita Ora, 
O2 Academy, 
tomorrow

Glasgow Times:

Award-winning British pop singer and actress Rita Ora will be performing in Glasgow after a successful year.


Having worked with the likes of Tinchy Stryder and Jay-Z, Rita’s debut single “Hot Right Now” (featuring DJ Fresh) picked up millions of hits and, after a digital release, topped the UK singles chart.


Her tracks mixing pop music with hints of R&B will bring the party atmosphere to the city tomorrow night.

BUY TICKETS FOR RITA ORA HERE