I went to Glasgow’s newest music and arts centre The Ice Box, to take part in their fortnightly Open Mic sessions which take place on a Sunday evening.

For the first few weeks anyone could turn up and perform but as the night has got more popular only those who have pre-booked a slot can get on.

In fact, there was hardly enough time to fit all 20 acts on this time and so it will start at 6pm instead of 7pm in future.

Nob made a joke about how he always wanted to play a large air raid shelter but it didn’t go down too well. He also said that it was warmer in there than he thought it was going to be but again….tumbleweed.

The evening is run by singer songwriter Petra Taylor who does a fine job of coordinating everyone and keeping the night moving along.

She also sung a few songs which were very easy on the ears. You can check out her album on her website

A young guy from Ireland played a pretty cool version of the Dolly Parton song, Jolene and then before his next song he asked his friend to join him onstage for some interpretive dance but his friend hid for cover at that point.

He then said that if anyone else want to join him then they are welcome.

Well, that was my cue to help the lad out. We had a blast up there and at one point I thought I was going to get naked but thankfully sense prevailed and I stuck to only removing my top. Phew!

Here we are in full effect.

Afterwards, the sound-man gave me some Buckfast to swig from and said I could keep it. It wasn’t as bad as I had remembered.

Then after a couple of swigs the sound-man took the bottle back and I never saw it again and Petra came to help him polish it off in about 5 minutes.

While I was waiting at traffic lights just outside the venue I took a photo of this from inside my car. A little bit creepy for my taste.

I prefer the Billy Connolly murals that are around town….although I have only seen one of them thus far.

You can check out some of the other performers in the video slideshow below.

All in all, it is a very good event and I believe Petra is now setting up another open mic at another venue on the Sundays that she is not at Ice Box!

I will of course make a blog about that if I ever make it along.

The Photos

Ice Box  - 2/6/19

Cheers!