LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

Tectonics

Tectonics, the BBC SSO's festival of new and experimental music, returns to City Halls and Old Fruitmarket on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May!

Tectonics

About Tectonics

So here we are! Tectonics Glasgow boldly marches into its second decade of experimentation and collaboration, and that’s largely down to our audiences’ commitment to showing up with a thirst for discovery and surprises. In 2023, audiences were as strong and curious as ever. This year we remain committed to celebrating the widest array of artists who are questioning what music can be. And once again we invite artists from across the globe to join UK-based artists in Glasgow.

A common thread among several of this year’s genre-defying artists is their daring use of voice, electronics and improvisation: The Wire warns that any attempts at categorising vocalist and movement artist Elaine Mitchener are doomed to fail (the same could be said for much of our 2024 line-up); Leader of a Japanese experimental rock band Koichi Makigami performs with the legendary drummer Roger Turner; New York based vocalist Ka Baird combines their live performances within minimalistic, visceral compositions; Belfast-born Brian Irvine conjures spontaneous joy from THE IMAGINARY ORCHESTRA and its concoction of notes, words, sounds, laughter and noise; and air becomes sound with another Japanese improviser, recorder player Eiko Yamada.

Day 1 in the Old Fruitmarket gets underway with musical influences that are closer to home as the award-winning duo Sarah-Jane Summers (fiddle) and Juhani Silvola (guitar) combine Scottish trad with Scandinavian influences alongside the BBC SSO strings. And Edinburgh-based artists Euan Currie and Marlo De Lara present a live improvisation drawing on voices, electronics and field recordings.

The Grand Hall hosts a number of World and UK Premieres by the BBC SSO, including a BBC Commission for orchestra and tape by Swiss-Nigerian composer Charles Uzor and a UK premiere by German composer Carola Bauckholt. Composer Marc Yeats makes a welcome return to Tectonics Glasgow for the World Premiere of his work 'a point in the landscape'. Each orchestral player is a soloist in this timecode-supported polytemporal work, which fluctuates between states of perceptual obfuscation and clarity.

And award-winning composer and turntablist Mariam Rezaei performs the UK premiere of 6 scenes for turntables and orchestra, composed with Matthew Shlomowitz. Following a turn on the podium in November 2023 for David Fennessy’s Conquest of the Useless, Jack Sheen returns to Glasgow for a new BBC commission (titled Lag) with its temporal uncertainty reflecting glitches in our use of digital technology.

On both evenings our friend and admired colleague, violinist Ilya Gringolts, performs two UK premieres – a virtuosic work for solo violin by Salvatore Sciarrino and a work for violin and orchestra by Mirela Ivičević, commissioned by the I&I Foundation. There’s also two more UK premieres as Yaron Deutsch performs major contemporary works for solo electric guitar by Pierluigi Billone and Andreas Dohmen, both of which were written especially for him. Throughout the weekend in the Recital Room, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kate Armitage is joined by four ‘favourite outcasts’ for a series of improvisations across the weekend.

Thank you for staying curious and for supporting Tectonics Glasgow and the BBC SSO in staging its latest musical adventure.

Have fun,

Ilan Volkov and Alasdair Campbell, curators

Sponsored Links

Great Run Company
Cancer Research UK
Fayre Play
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust

Other Events at City Halls or The Old Fruitmarket

SCO 2024/25: Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos

10th January 2025

Join British violinist Rachel Podger for a concert focusing on some of JS Bach's most iconic orchestral music.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Sibelius Violin Concerto

17th January 2025

SCO Conductor Emeritus Joseph Swensen directs the fiery Sibelius Violin Concerto, alongside the coolly elegant Sixth Symphony.

READ MORE

Trail West

18th January 2025

Trail West are an explosive six-piece line-up with strong links to the Western Highlands and Islands, catch their first headline show of 2025 at Celtic Connections!

READ MORE

Lindisfarne

19th January 2025

Don't miss legendary 70's folk-rick pioneers Lindisfarne live at The Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 19th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

Frigg with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

19th January 2025

Finnish folk supremos Frigg will be joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in this special Celtic Connections show at Glasgow's City Halls!

READ MORE

Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell

20th January 2025

Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell are celebrated for bringing the emotional essence of rural American music to modern audiences with a unique depth and vision.

READ MORE

Georgia Cécile & Special Guests

21st January 2025

Georgia Cécile continues to make her mark as one of the UK's finest new voices, don't miss her live at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

We Are Here Scotland: Aref Ghorbani, Simone Seales and Miwa Nagato-Apthorp

23rd January 2025

Join cellist Simone Seales, folk-inspired artist Miwa Nagato-Apthorp, and Iranian fusion musicians Aref Ghorbani and Amir Hossein Feyzi for an extraordinary night of collaboration!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Vaughan Williams Symphony

23rd January 2025

Don't miss an explosive and unstoppable emotional force, emanating from over 70 awe-inspiring musicians, when the BBC SSO perform Vaughan Williams Symphony!

READ MORE

The Magic Numbers

24th January 2025

Expect a dynamic, must-see performance from a band with years of experience and undeniable chemistry when The Magic Numbers headline Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

WorldFolk: Croft No. Five & Rumba de Bodas

25th January 2025

Now with a wealth of experience and musicianship between them, Croft No. Five have returned to their roots to finally fulfil the band's prophecy!

READ MORE

Hawktail & Väsen and Córas Trio

25th January 2025

This set, honed from those first tours, combines original tunes already established in each band’s repertoire with freshly composed music for the collaboration.

READ MORE

Lake Street Dive

26th January 2025

American multi-genre band Lake Street Dive will bring their 'Good Together' European tour to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 26th January as part of Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble perform NESS

26th January 2025

Celtic Connections presents Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble perform NESS at City Halls' Recital Room on Sunday 26th January!

READ MORE

St. Rochs Celtic Connections Extravaganza

26th January 2025

After sold-out shows in 2014 and 2017, the world-famous St. Roch's Ceili band return with a unique performance for Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

TRIP Big Band and Niall McCabe

30th January 2025

Join TRIP Big Band for what promises to be an unforgettable night in this iconic Glasgow venue as part of Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Afternoon Performance - Brahm’s Violin Concerto

30th January 2025

BBC SSO Guest Conductor Antony Hermus presents enchanting music from Prokofiev's 'Cinderella' and the remarkable soloist Ning Feng plays Brahms's Violin Concerto.

READ MORE

Iona: In the Footsteps of Columba - Paul Anderson & Friends

31st January 2025

Iona weaves together music, poetry and visual art in this world premiere taking audience on a journey delving into the lives of Vikings, kings and saints!

READ MORE

Ceòlas @ 30

1st February 2025

This special night promises to be an island cèilidh of epic proportions, with a stellar line-up of musical guests joining Ceòlas for their 30th Anniversary celebrations!

READ MORE

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: Nu-Age Sounds - Planet World

2nd February 2025

The SNJO further broadens its horizons with specially commissioned music from eight of Scottish jazz's exciting stars which they will bring to Celtic Connections 2025!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Colin Currie & Ilan Volkov

6th February 2025

Imagine this. A robot goes terrifyingly off the rails... and percussionist Colin Currie is the only man who can stop it!

READ MORE

Ben Barnes

12th February 2025

Singer, songwriter and actor Ben Barnes will bring his Where The Light Gets In tour to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Wednesday 12th February!

READ MORE

An Evening with Marian Keyes

15th February 2025

Marian Keyes has a rare gift for making readers laugh, cry, and fall in love with her relatable characters. Now, she invites you into her world to explore her remarkable life and career.

READ MORE

Squid

19th February 2025

Art rock quintet Squid returns with their latest album Cowards, and a supporting tour which will see them headline Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Wednesday 19th February!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - MacMillan’s ‘Concerto for Orchestra’

20th February 2025

Sir James MacMillan conducts his new Concerto for Orchestra 'Ghosts' and presents a dazzling spread of new music from six of his younger colleagues from the Cumnock Tryst festival.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Mozart Oboe Concerto

21st February 2025

Discover Mozart's song-like Oboe Concerto in the hands of Ivan Podyomov, principal oboist at Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Fauré Requiem

28th February 2025

Fauré’s hushed prayer for the departed, from outstanding British baritone Roderick Williams, conductor Andrew Manze and the SCO Chorus.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Afternoon Performance - Sibelius’ Symphony No.3

6th March 2025

Two of the most dynamic young stars in Finnish music – violinist Tami Pohjola and conductor Taavi Oramo – bring a special freshness and energy to music filled with sea air and northern light.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

7th March 2025

Outstanding Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto directs and plays one of the best-loved masterpieces in the Romantic violin repertoire.

READ MORE

David O’Doherty: Tiny Piano Man

8th March 2025

David O'Doherty, the dishevelled prince of €10 eBay keyboards, tries to make you feel alive with a new pageant of laughter, song and occasionally getting up from a chair!

READ MORE

Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball

9th March 2025

Don't miss your chance to see Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball from Gomez perform live at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 9th March!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’

13th March 2025

Enjoy an intoxicating combination of Eastern and Western traditions creates musical magic, conjured by Indian musical royalty, courtesy of the BBC SSO!

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Parabola

14th March 2025

Join Pekka Kuusisto and Simon Crawford-Phillips on an arc through time and musical styles, from Britten to Adès, Beamish to Haydn.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.4

20th March 2025

Join the BBC SSO as they perform devastatingly beautiful melodies & breath-taking virtuosity that thrills you to the edge of your seat.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony

21st March 2025

Mark Wigglesworth conducts Beethoven's hymn of wonder to the natural world, with SCO Principal Nikita Naumov as soloist in Eötvös's Aurora.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Schumann & Schubert

28th March 2025

Isabelle van Keulen takes the reins of the SCO for the lyrical Violin Concerto by Robert Schumann, alongside Schubert's Third Symphony.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Afternoon Performance - Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances

30th March 2025

Soprano Johanna Wallroth turns the leaves of the Richard Strauss songbook: miniature worlds of tenderness, melody and romance, perfectly suited to what one critic called the pure magic of her voice.

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Mozart and Strauss

4th April 2025

Deeply charismatic oboist and conductor François Leleux directs Mozart's cheeky Bassoon Concerto, and music by the teenage Richard Strauss.

READ MORE

Ichiko Aoba

5th April 2025

Japanese singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Ichiko Aoba brings her Luminescent Creatures World Tour to Glasgow's City Halls on Saturday 5th April!

READ MORE

Peach Pit

6th April 2025

Vancouver-based quartet Peach Pit return with their fourth album Magpie and a supporting tour which will see them headline Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 6th April!

READ MORE

Nashville Live Tribute Show

11th April 2025

Europe's No.1 multi-award-winning show Nashville Live, this hit country show returns for another fantastic night of toe-tapping Country nostalgia!

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Afternoon Performance - Dvořák’s Symphony No.7

17th April 2025

The BBC SSO's superb new Principal Double Bass Kai Kim steps into the spotlight for a concerto by Estonian composer Eduard Tubin, and Anu Tali conducts Dvořák's dance-like Seventh Symphony.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Javier Perianes Plays Mozart

24th April 2025

Imagine... in 240 years, what music will be performed the world over? A world-renowned pianist demonstrates the timeless beauty of Mozart.

READ MORE

wrest

25th April 2025

On the back of a sellout show at The Barrowlands, wrest will headline the iconic Old Fruitmarket on Friday 25th April!

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

2nd May 2025

Lorenza Borrani teams up with SCO Principal Violist Max Mandel in what many consider Mozart’s finest creation: the Sinfonia concertante.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony

8th May 2025

Struggles between love & despair inspire a pulse-raising master-piece that stirs the soul when the BBC SSO perform Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony!

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Yeol Eum Son plays Beethoven

9th May 2025

Yeol Eum Son makes a welcome return with Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto, in a concert that reaches its climax with Haydn's 'Nelson' Mass.

READ MORE

Sophie McCartney - One Foot in The Rave

11th May 2025

Grab your glow sticks and join Sophie McCartney at the Old Fruitmarket as she embarks on life's next big chapter with sequins, snorty laughs, and a pair of killer orthopaedic heels!

READ MORE

SCO 2024/25: Benedetti Plays Brahms

16th May 2025

Nicola Benedetti joins charismatic Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev for an end-of-Season celebration full of romance and adventure.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Afternoon Performance - Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1

18th May 2025

A young artist embarks on a lifelong voyage, narrated by BBC SSO and conductor Tito Muñoz. Pianist Alim Beisembayev, a luminous talent, is the soloist.

READ MORE

BBC SSO 2024/25: Thursday Night Series - Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony

22nd May 2025

Majestic swans take flight and Finland's greatest composer unleashes a spine-tingling melody that fills your heart with hope at the BBC SSO's closing night of their 2024/25 season!

READ MORE

MJ Lenderman & The Wind

2nd June 2025

Indie rock up-and-comer MJ Lenderman has announced a run of UK dates which will see him headline the Old Fruitmarket on Monday 2nd June!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Gin To My Tonic
City Of Glasgow Chorus
City Sightseeing Glasgow
The Quay
Mowgli

Similar events you might like...

Hotel Caledonia - A Tribute to The Eagles

Hotel Caledonia - A Tribute to The Eagles

Selected dates between 9th August 2024 - 21st March 2025

Looking for a solid night of rock and soul classics? Don't miss Eagles tribute Hotel Caledonia live at The Ferry!

READ MORE
Neon 90’s Show

Neon 90’s Show

Selected dates between 6th September 2024 - 1st February 2025

Spice up your life when the ultimate live tribute show to the smash hits of the 1990s comes to The Ferry!

READ MORE
The Official P!NK Tribute featuring Alecia Karr

The Official P!NK Tribute featuring Alecia Karr

Selected dates between 7th September 2024 - 14th March 2025

Alecia Karr is renowned for being the one and only P!NK tribute act to meet and sing live for the legend herself, don't miss you're chance to see her live at The Ferry!

READ MORE
A Night of Robbie Williams & George Michael

A Night of Robbie Williams & George Michael

Selected dates between 28th September 2024 - 15th March 2025

With his uncanny attention to detail be prepared to let Alan Walker 'Entertain You' with his fantastic tribute to Robbie Williams & George Michael!

READ MORE
St Bride’s Organ Recitals

St Bride’s Organ Recitals

Selected dates between 6th October 2024 - 1st June 2025

St Brides beautiful William Hill organ, nearly 160 years old, has been restored to its former glory! Join them for a monthly recital from a selection of experienced and talented organists.

READ MORE
Musical Theatre Skills (Secondary 4-6) Short Course

Musical Theatre Skills (Secondary 4-6) Short Course

Selected dates between 9th October 2024 - 16th April 2025

This new credit-rated Secondary 4-6 course will establish students' skills in the art of Musical Theatre at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

READ MORE
Musical Theatre Skills (Secondary 1-3) Short Course

Musical Theatre Skills (Secondary 1-3) Short Course

Selected dates between 9th October 2024 - 16th April 2025

This new 10-week Musical Theatre class from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will focus on establishing skills in acting, singing, and dancing.

READ MORE
The 30+ Club - Daytime Clubbing for Over 30’s

The 30+ Club - Daytime Clubbing for Over 30’s

Selected dates between 12th October 2024 - 18th January 2025

With its high-energy party atmosphere and top live DJs, The 30+ Club at the O2 Academy Glasgow is not to be missed!

READ MORE
Taylormania

Taylormania

Selected dates between 14th October 2024 - 18th May 2025

Katy Ellis a self obsessed 'Swiftie' with an incredible live band and dancers promises to deliver the most authentic recreation of a Taylor Swift show you will ever see at The Pavilion Theatre!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Great Run Company
Cancer Research UK
Fayre Play
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Gin To My Tonic
City Of Glasgow Chorus
City Sightseeing Glasgow
The Quay
Mowgli

Popular Events

Glasgow Winterfest
Glasgow Winterfest, the city's most anticipated winter celebration, is back for 2024, set to transform George Square and St Enoch Square into enchanting wonderlands!
Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show
Watch the iconic Merchants House of Glasgow come alive with Enlightenment, a spectacular sound and light show, set to the enchanting melodies of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons!
Beauty And The Beastie
From the team that brought you the hilarious and much-revered adventure Treasure Island, this year's panto at The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow will be Beauty And The Beastie!
Peter Pan
Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love when this swashbuckling J M Barrie pantomime adventure, starring Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac, comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow!
Glasgow 850
2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as we celebrate the city's 850th birthday. It's a milestone and everyone who has or does call Glasgow home is invited to the party!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro