Music
Best Live Music in Glasgow This Month: May 2026
Our guide to the must-see gigs, concerts and club nights in Glasgow this month
Glasgow is one of only 75 cities to earn the coveted title of UNESCO City of Music. It’s not hard to see (or hear) why. Scotland’s second city is home to some of the most legendary live music venues in the UK – from the notorious Barrowland Ballroom to the acclaimed Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – and the pantheon of great Glaswegian acts includes Lewis Capaldi, Simple Minds, and Primal Scream. Whether you’re a local or just in town for a visit, you’re guaranteed to find an event that’s up your street, and to make your life easier we’ve put together this handy, regularly updated guide to bring you the best gigs, concerts and raves in Glasgow each month.
Watch Carly Pearce deliver class country hits to Glasgow
- Where: SEC Armadillo, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW
- When: 18 May
American singer-songwriter Carly Pearce is bringing country music to Glasgow this week! Catch her on her Inside The Dream tour, complete with special guest Tigirlily Gold. If you’re curious about this southern gem, Pearce is now a GRAMMY, ACM, CMA and CMT-winning artist who’s also a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry in the home of country music, Nashville. This is all coming from someone who originally left school at the age of 16 to work in Dollywood, so it’s incredible to see how far she’s come. Pop along to the gig this Monday and enjoy the authentic sound of country music from one of the best in the game.
Get tickets to Carly Pearce at SEC Armadillo
Hear The Frames’ Glen Hansard live at The Barras
- Where: Barrowland Ballroom, 244 Gallowgate, Glasgow G4 0TT
- When: 20 May
The Barras have got a special gig this week from seasoned Irish singer-songwriter, Glen Hansard. Known largely from fronting the Irish rock outfit The Frames, which had its heyday in the nineties and early noughties, Hansard has continued with the band whilst nurturing a successful solo career since. This gig at Barrowland Ballroom is part of his 2026 European tour with special support from Courtney Marie Andrews, so get yourself along to witness hits from his latest album, Don+t Settle – (Vol 1 – Transmissions East). Have a peek at the link below for any last-minute tickets.
Get tickets to Glen Hansard at Barrowland Ballroom
Witness megastar Doja Cat play the Hydro this week
- Where: OVO Hydro, Exhibition Way, Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8YW
- When: 21 May
American pop and hip-hop superstar Doja Cat will be filling up the OVO Hydro this May. Having broken through into mainstream during the pandemic when her songs including “Say So” went viral, Doja Cat has now earned the nickname of “Queen of Pop-Rap”. This year, the rapper (whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini) will be touring her 2025 fifth studio album Vie which amassed both critical acclaim and undeniable popularity amongst fans. It’s been commended for harking back to the synth-heavy eighties in a bold move for the star who’s otherwise dabbled in contemporary R&B, so we’re curious to see how such a catalogue will sound live. Check for tickets now!
Get tickets to Doja Cat at OVO Hydro
Let rock duo Seafret introduce some new, textured tracks
- Where: Oran Mor, Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8QX
- When: 21 May
English rock pair Seafret are on the road as they tour their fourth studio album, Fear of Emotion. This is a duo who’ve been together for 11 years now – having established the band in 2015 – and now singer Jack Sedman and guitarist Harry Draper are ready to perform their newest collection of offerings live. Fear of Emotion was credited when it came out in March for experimenting with a newer, deeper level of storytelling and musical expression. As it weaves together the unbridled feelings of heartbreak in some songs with some other hope-powered tracks depicting new eras of self-discovery and questioning, it’s an album for the lyricism lovers, and one we’d be keen to hear live.
Get tickets to Seafarer at Oran Mor
Find your new favourite alt-pop star in Ruby Roberts
- Where: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 272A St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5RL
- When: 21 May
There’s a lot happening around Glasgow on 21 May, but the more, the better! Over at King Tut’s, rising alt-pop princess Ruby Roberts will be showcasing some red-hot tracks from her debut EP, Somersault Queens. Famed for carving out a recognisable music style that crosses the threshold from electronic pop into the edges of country and even dream pop, Roberts is unabashed about the originality of her sound. What’s more, the 24-year-old started off writing songs from the confines of her bedroom. Now gaining popularity around the UK, Roberts is slowly climbing the success ladder. Check her out now at the link below.
Get tickets to Ruby Roberts at King Tut’s
See Thin Lizzy guitarist Midge Ure play a home gig
- Where: SEC Armadillo, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW
- When: 22 May
Seventies and eighties rock legend Midge Ure will be coming back to Scotland for a special gig at the SEC Armadillo. The musician, whose real name is actually Jim Ure, is originally from Cambuslang in Lanarkshire. The 72-year-old guitarist who subbed in last-minute for Thin Lizzy on a US tour in 1979 has been involved with countless big projects over the years including the 1984 charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, which he co-wrote with Bob Geldof. Aside from Thin Lizzy, Ure has also enjoyed success in other bands including Slick, Rich Kids and Visage. But perhaps his most high-profile project was Live Aid, the giant charity concert in 1985 which was also organised with Geldof. Nab your chance to see Ure live now – tickets below.
Get tickets to Midge Ute at SEC Armadillo
Groove to Jazzie B’s infectious DJing
- Where: SWG3, 100 Eastvale Pl, Glasgow G3 8QG
- When: 23 May
DJ star Jazzie B is a firm favourite on UK radio stations including Kiss FM and Solar Radio, but he’s also done a number of albums containing iconic club classics. Jazzie B is also the founder of music collective Soul II Soul, which he describes as being “as much of a lifestyle statement as a musical movement.” But the 63-year-old (real name Trevor Beresford Romeo OBE) is back to gigging this week with a late May show in SWG3. It sounds like a great one to bring a pal to on a free Saturday night, so hunt for your tickets below.
Get tickets to Jazzie B at SWG3
Spend an evening with breakout star PinkPantheress
- Where: SEC Centre, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW
- When: 23 May
Aptly named An Evening with PinkPantheress, this tour by the 25-year-old pop singer looks like one not to miss. You may have heard ‘Stateside’ floating around the internet lately – thanks to Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Alysa Lui who performed a viral routine to it. But since then, PinkPantheress AKA Victoria Beverley Walker has been on the steady rise as her songs ‘Boy’s a Liar’, ‘Illegal’ and ‘Girl Like Me’ continue doing the rounds on social media. Come along to the SEC Centre on an idle Saturday night to watch the star in action, a gig complete with all the catchy songs that have so far made up her meteoric rise in the pop industry.
Get tickets to PinkPantheress at SEC Centre
See gritty grunge star Sir Chloe at Saint Luke’s
- Where: Saint Luke’s, 17 Bain Street Calton, Glasgow G40 2JZ Scotland
- When: 24 May
All the way from New York, American indie rock musician Sir Chloe will be playing Saint Luke’s on Sunday night. Otherwise known as Dana Foote, Sir Chloe also blew up thanks to TikTok, and her latest album Swallow the Knife came out in September last year. Usually kitted out in bold grunge-glam outfits as her enigmatic alter-ego, the artist’s music is actually an amalgamation of grainy grunge and shards of resplendent church music, funnily enough. If that doesn’t intrigue you, who knows what will. It might be a good time to discover some new music in Sir Chloe if you don’t otherwise know her, so consider attending her gig if your Sunday night is free.
Get tickets to Sir Chloe at Saint Luke’s
Join Jon Pardi’s Honkytonk Hollywood UK tour
- Where: O2 Academy, 121 Eglinton St, Glasgow G5 9NT
- When: 20 May
Is there anything more southern than a honkytonk tour? Jon Pardi’s making sure there isn’t! His Glasgow stop on 20 May (which also happens to be his birthday) promises volumes of country hits from his five studio albums so far. The album Honkytonk Hollywood is the latest of the series – hence the namesake tour – and the singer will be taking his fun-filled series of shows across the US after his UK stops this month. If you’re keen to hear some platinum-ranked music by Pardi, who’s also signed by Capitol Records Nashville, then hop along to the tour. Check for spare tickets at the link below, and bring a friend!
Get tickets to Jon Pardi at O2 Academy
