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Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Jazz Festival 2025 showcasing talented musicians
The city's longest-running music festival will showcase more than 100 musicians across 35 events over five days, running until Sunday, June 22. Jill Rodger, director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: "We are thrilled to welcome audiences to the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival. (Image: Supplied) "The festival celebrates jazz in all its forms, showcasing the genre's rich diversity and multi-generational appeal and popularity. "The city will be alive with the sounds of the jazz world for five days, and with some shows sold out, I would encourage music fans to snap up their tickets and take the chance to soak up the magic of jazz in the heart of Glasgow." Read more: 'Exciting' new store to open in former Glasgow city centre bank Do you know him? Police keen to talk to man after 'serious assault' Kneecap greeted by hundreds at court as group member faces 'terrorism' charge This year's line-up features international artists and homegrown talent. Brian Jackson, best known for his work with Gil Scott-Heron, will headline at Saint Luke's on Friday, June 20. (Image: Supplied) Grammy-winning pianist and vocalist Jon Cleary will also perform in a nearly sold-out solo show, bringing his signature blend of New Orleans funk and jazz. The festival will showcase UK talent, including Theon Cross, whose tuba-led sound is reshaping modern jazz. (Image: Supplied) He will perform at Óran Mòr on Saturday, June 21, alongside Scottish drummer Graham Costello and DJ Rebecca Vasmant. One of Scotland's most promising saxophonists, Matt Carmichael, will take the stage on Thursday, June 19. Timmy Allan, winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician 2024, will perform at Nice n Sleazy the same night before hosting the first Late Night Jam Session. He said: "I'm very excited and honoured to be included in this year's Glasgow Jazz Festival. "I can't wait to play with my incredible band which is Norman Willmore, Brodie Laird-Jarvie and Roan Anderson. "The line-up for the festival is incredible as well and it's great to have my name alongside the likes of Matt Carmichael, Modern Vikings, Marianne McGregor, Fat-Suit… the list goes on.' In celebration of Glasgow 850, a special New Jazzwegians show curated by Fergus McCreadie will take place at Saint Luke's on Sunday, June 22. Glasgow Jazz Festival 2025 is supported by Creative Scotland and the Glasgow 850 Festivals Fund. For more information, go to
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
SNP minister: Swinney has discussed indyref2 with Starmer
The row comes on the eve of a major speech by the First Minister on independence - a subject he has been accused of keeping "off the radar" by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Speaking on June 3 after a visit to Glasgow to launch the UK's defence review, Sir Keir said the First Minister was not discussing holding a second independence referendum with him. READ MORE: 'Swinney should resign as SNP leader - disaster looms next year', warns grandee Analysis: Swinney prepares SNP for long road to independence Swinney risks SNP backlash over independence strategy Starmer: Swinney hasn't asked me about new independence vote The Prime Minister was asked if he could imagine another independence referendum during his time as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said: "No, and nobody's raising that with me as their first priority. Certainly, in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister, that is not - we're talking about jobs, energy, security, and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis." But speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, Ms Martin said the matter had been discussed. The presenter put it to the senior minister that Mr Swinney had not broached the subject of a second independence referendum with the Prime Minister. "If he hasn't asked [for a new referendum], how does he expect to achieve", she was pressed. Ms Martin replied: "I would imagine that the First Minister has broached that subject with the Prime Minister." Last month Mr Swinney said a "democratic majority" of pro-independence MSPs following the next Scottish Parliament election should result in another referendum. But in the same interview on June 3, the Prime Minister said whatever the outcome next May, an independence referendum is "not a priority". Scots voted in an independence referendum in 2014, with the No side securing 55% of the vote. Successive UK governments have denied the SNP's requests for a second referendum. Since coming into office last year the First Minister has been pretty quiet on his party's founding goal. He scrapped Ms Sturgeon's Building a New Scotland series, documents aimed at updating the 2014 independence prospectus and axed the post of independence minister from government. Back in January, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared that independence was "off the radar" - a claim swiftly rejected by Mr Swinney. In July last year, during her appearance as a pundit on ITV's general election programme, Ms Sturgeon blamed a lack of focus on independence for the SNP's general election defeat, when it dropped from 48 Westminster seats to nine. She said that the SNP 'left themselves between two stools on the independence question', adding that placing the constitution on the front page of the party's manifesto 'was never followed through on a sort of day-to-day basis in the campaign'. In his post election speech, Mr Swinney seemed to suggest the problem was that the SNP had failed to persuading people why the party believed independence was needed. He said that the SNP had 'failed to convince people of the urgency of independence in this election campaign', adding: 'Therefore, we need to take the time to consider and to reflect on how we deliver our commitment to independence, which remains absolute.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
John Swinney's critics should bite their tongues and get behind him
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With his bank-managerly demeanour, he was the opposite of his predecessor, under whom the nationalists had grown increasingly divided. It did not take long, however, for the Swinney project to begin falling apart and, after a poor election result, calls for his resignation grew so loud that he could not credibly ignore them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I write, of course, not about current events but about the end of Swinney's first spell in charge of the SNP which ended, after four years, in 2004, paving the way for the return to the leadership of Alex Salmond. First Minister John Swinney joins candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Katy Loudon during the last weekend of the campaign. Picture: JeffHistory has a habit of repeating itself. Today, little more than a year after succeeding Humza Yousaf as leader of the SNP, Swinney finds himself in what must be uncomfortably familiar territory. Defeat for the SNP in the recent Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election has triggered a crisis in his leadership. There have been calls – both anonymous and public – for his resignation. The sense that he is losing his grip on the SNP grows stronger by the day. Just as he did in 2004, Swinney has decided to fight on. Responding to reports that a group of colleagues had met to discuss a leadership challenge during the SNP's annual conference in October, the First Minister said he did not think that would be a good idea. Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland that he had returned to the SNP leadership in order to help his party 'recover' from what he described as 'a very, very difficult situation in the spring of 2024' and that he remained focused on the job in hand. He was not, he added, worried 'in the slightest' about the briefing against him. If you say so, First Minister. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Swinney's characterisation of the state of his party when he took over last year is correct. Former FM Humza Yousaf's decision to end the power-sharing agreement between the SNP and the Greens had blown up in his face, leaving him without the parliamentary support needed to get things done, and the nationalists had descended into the sort of in-fighting that had, for many decades, kept them on the fringes of our politics. Given the circumstances, Swinney's flaws became his advantages. The SNP – and, indeed, the country – very much required a period of calm after years of stormy political weather. Steady old John was just the captain his party needed. However, Scottish nationalists are not, by nature, patient. Swinney may have been elected to be a safe pair of hands but, already, he's under pressure to be more radical, with a number of critics inside the SNP demanding he push harder for a second independence referendum. In response to these briefings, Swinney declared that, after returning stability to his party, he planned to 'open up a conversation about independence'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For some of Swinney's critics – one thinks, for example, of former health secretary Alex Neil, whose contempt for the First Minister dates back decades – this will never be good enough. Scotland will never gain its 'freedom' through conversations. Rather, the break-up of the Union will require something more radical than a cosy chat. It is perfectly understandable that those SNP members now agitating for Swinney to either change course or quit, want to see a new strategy for independence. Having been told, for years, that defeat in the 2014 vote was a bump in the road on the way to nationhood, they believe they have been badly let down in recent years. I'm not at all sure, however, what Swinney could be doing differently to advance the cause of independence. Former FM Nicola Sturgeon spent nine years telling SNP members that 'Indyref2' was on the horizon. A rush and a push, lads and lassies, and the land that they stood on would be theirs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But reality – in the shape of continuing minority support for independence and the Scottish Government's lack of power to call a referendum – got in the way of Sturgeon's plans. The authority to stage another vote remains with the UK Government. Recent polls suggest support for independence is rising and that, if there were another referendum tomorrow, the Union would come to an end. This, says one senior Swinney ally, is something for which the First Minister deserves some credit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I have some sympathy for that view. Do those now agitating for Swinney to go really think that their party – and their cause – would be in ruder health had Humza Yousaf remained in post? With the next Holyrood election just 11 months away, the last thing the SNP needs is another destabilising leadership contest. Polls may show increased support for independence but Swinney knows – because the focus group data he reads tells him so – that the constitution does not top the list of voters' priorities. Swinney is every bit as fanatical about independence as those now whispering about a leadership challenge – many years ago, one of the SNP leader's aides told me he 'would live in a cave to be free' – but the First Minister's zealotry is tempered by a degree of common sense. He knows and accepts that the time is not right for another referendum. Swinney also knows that the slight recovery his party has made under his leadership is still fragile. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SNP is – as was perpetually the case for decades before the party unified under Alex Salmond in 2004 – divided and fractious. Any Scottish nationalist who thinks it's now time exacerbate that division is a fool.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Legendary BBC Scotland presenter steps away from show
Broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani presented her final Saturday morning radio show on BBC Radio Scotland on Saturday, June 14, BBC News reported. The 'Shereen' show originally launched in 2008 and featured Nanjiani and a range of guests debating big talking points each week and reviewing the latest TV and streaming releases. Before joining the BBC, the 63-year-old was a well-known STV newsreader for 20 years. Legendary BBC Scotland presenter steps away from show (Image: Newsquest) Born in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, in 1961, Nanjiani graduated from the University of Glasgow before she began her broadcasting career at the age of 22 as a trainee journalist at STV. Following that, the much-loved presenter went on to become Scotland's first Asian-heritage newsreader, presenting Scotland Today for two decades until she left STV in 2006. In 2020, the star was awarded an MBE for her services to Scottish broadcasting. READ MORE: BBC Scotland reveal big change after departure of presenter Following her departure, Nanjiani revealed she had loved being part of the BBC Radio Scotland weekend family for so long. She said: "I've made so many good friends on the show over the years. "They made me laugh and they made me think, and it's always been a joy to come to work in the morning. "Finally, I'd like to thank our lovely listeners who've stayed with us throughout the years and joined in the conversation. "I'll miss them all, but this feels like a good time in my life to get my weekends back again, have a lie in, and explore new adventures." BBC Radio Scotland commissioning editor Heather Kane Darling added: "Shereen is one of Scotland's most experienced and respected broadcasters, and it's been a pleasure to work with her over the last 19 years. "I know our teams will miss working with her, and we thank her for her professionalism and dedication during her time with us." The BBC reported that over the summer, the 10am to 11.30am slot will be filled by Saturday Morning with Zara Janjua. Details of the new show for autumn will be announced in due course.
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Much-loved BBC star steps away from show after 17 years
Read on to discover who the temporary host will be over the summer SIGNING OFF Much-loved BBC star steps away from show after 17 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BROADCASTER Shereen Nanjiani has stepped away from her Saturday morning radio show. The Scots presenter, 63, has been at the helm of the Shereen show for 17 and secured her place as a fan favourite with her mix of news and light-hearted debate. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Shereen Nanjiani has stepped away from her BBC Radio Scotland show Credit: David Henderson - The Sun Glasgow A new Saturday morning radio show will launch in the Autumn, with the details to be announced in due course. The host said: "I've made so many good friends on the show over the years. "They made me laugh and they made me think and it's always been a joy to come to work in the morning," she said. "Finally, I'd like to thank our lovely listeners who've stayed with us throughout the years and joined in the conversation. "I'll miss them all but this feels like a good time in my life to get my weekends back again, have a lie in, and explore new adventures." BBC Radio Scotland commissioning editor Heather Kane Darling added: "Shereen is one of Scotland's most experienced and respected broadcasters and it's been a pleasure to work with her over the last 19 years. "I know our teams will miss working with her and we thank her for her professionalism and dedication during her time with us." The Scottish Sun's Zara Janjua will cover the morning slot over the summer months. Elsewhere at the station, four senior journalists have lodged complaints with the BBC bosses in a fresh ageism row. Their separate — but coordinated — discrimination claims come as the broadcaster merges its home and foreign newsdesks. Bosses hope slashing 130 jobs will help save £700million. But the four, said to have worked in warzones and the aftermath of terror attacks, fear they have been earmarked for compulsory redundancy. Their move follows a group of BBC News presenters going to an employment tribunal over ageism allegations. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh settled their three-year dispute in March, with the terms not disclosed.
