Scottish Promoter Mark Mackie On Working With Local Councils

– Summer Nights At The Bandstand
The Pixies live on stage

After recent reports of Edinburgh Council taking a closer look at the impact of live events in the Scottish capital, Pollstar reached out to on of Scotland’s most established promoters, Mark Mackie of Regular Music, to find out what working with the local councils looks like.

How do you evaluate the Scottish governments attitude toward its live entertainment scene?

Healthy enough, and they give us good respect, but we don’t want them too close crawling all over us. Their politics and real politics are best left separated.

Do you feel there is joined up thinking between the public representatives and private events sector?

Yes, the arts scene in Scotland is a very small pool of reptiles, and we all know each other well and when we need to we can pick up the phone and talk.

– Mark Mackie of Regular Music
Promoter of Summer Nights At The Bandstand

Does Regular Music’s Summer Nights at the Bandstand receive any public funding?

No we do not receive any public funding and we never have. Even in the early years (we are now about to be five) we never asked for money, as to do so would have been morally wrong and verging on corrupt. In fact we pay the council a good rental for hire of our bandstand in Glasgow. They make money from us.

There are other promoters who do not share my views, but in these times, when local councils are closing public libraries or at least reducing their opening hours, when people who have nothing can’t get a book for free, that makes my blood fucking boil. And for commercial promoters to be crying [their eyes out] and to be pushing their greedy and grubby little paws out for cash is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Unless they are totally delusional and feel they are doing it for the nation and the greater good of the people – Messiah complex, or more like McSsiah Complex up in Scotland – when in fact all that they want is the cash to help them sell more beer/tickets/camping, and pocket the cash.

How would you describe working with the local authorities in Glasgow on Summer Nights? Do you feel like you’re dealing with unnecessary hurdles thrown in your way?

No, the council from the outset has been so supportive, we are not a drain but a resource to them and they make things as easy as possible. We do have the odd wee tiff but [it’s] always settled very quickly.

We get on very well with Glasgow City Council and find them very helpful. They even gave us an award at the Nordoff Robbins Scottish Music Awards in November, and presented us with the Glasgow Unesco City Of Music Best Live Music Event 2017. We were delighted to receive both.

Does Glasgow council take a different stance towards live entertainment than Edinburgh council?

No, Edinburgh are also very helpful. We have worked with both over the past 35 years and all grown up together sharing information regarding health and safety etc. It’s a good working relation.

However, both councils have the Environmental Services officers that run about with their big selfie sticks, seemingly with microphones on top, monitoring sound levels, they say. Now they annoy me and I would like to show them where best to place those mics to get a better reading.

The next edition of Summer Nights at the Bandstand in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, take place between July 30 and Aug. 11. Eight of the 12 shows sold out soon after announcement, including concerts by the Pretenders, Bryan Ferry, First Aid Kit, OMD, Fleet Foxes, Van Morrison, The Fratellis and Roddy Frame.

There are some tickets left for John Prine (Aug. 2), James Grant (Aug. 4), Imelda May (Aug. 6) and Jimmy Cliff (Aug. 8).

– Summer Nights At The Bandstand 2018
the lineup