Glasgow’s nightlife scene is a breeding ground for the unexpected, and Pretty Ugly – a club night celebrating its 20th anniversary – is proof. It’s not just about getting Paolo Nutini or Kirsty Wark behind the decks; it’s about dismantling expectations and creating a space where a First Minister might *want* to DJ alongside a Steps member. This speaks to a uniquely Scottish cultural openness, a willingness to embrace joyful chaos that’s increasingly rare in a hyper-segmented entertainment landscape.
- Pretty Ugly is celebrating 20 years of eclectic DJ sets, featuring figures from music, broadcasting, and even politics.
- The club night’s founders initially had no DJing experience, learning on the job and building a reputation for inclusive, energetic sets.
- The organizers lament the loss of cultural spaces like The Arches and the lack of recognition for club culture’s importance.
The story of Pretty Ugly is, at its core, a PR masterclass in organic reach. Starting from a humble origin – three friends at a PR agency with zero DJing experience – they leveraged their connections and a willingness to be delightfully unconventional. The initial bookings, born from a three-person CD deck operation, weren’t about star power; they were about visibility and a distinct aesthetic. This early strategy, relying on novelty and a diverse presentation, clearly resonated. The near-miss with Nicola Sturgeon is particularly telling. It wasn’t about a celebrity endorsement; it was about tapping into a public figure’s perceived personal taste (evidenced by her “Desert Island Discs” choices) and attempting to bridge the gap between politics and grassroots culture. The fact they even *considered* it speaks volumes about Pretty Ugly’s brand.
The club’s ethos – “every song should make you dance” – is a pointed rejection of the curated, often self-conscious atmosphere of many modern clubs. It’s a return to the pure, unadulterated joy of a shared musical experience. Lynne Johnston’s anecdote about the potential Shakespears Sister dispute and the broken CD perfectly encapsulates this playful, slightly chaotic energy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best nights are the ones where things don’t go exactly as planned.
However, the founders’ concerns about the fading of spaces like The Arches and the undervaluation of club culture are a crucial warning. Pretty Ugly isn’t just a fun night out; it’s a symptom of a broader cultural ecosystem. As venues disappear and the importance of grassroots artistic expression is overlooked, we risk losing the spaces where future talent – the next Ewan McVicar, for example – can hone their craft. The question now is whether Pretty Ugly’s anniversary can serve as a rallying cry, a reminder of the vital role these spaces play in shaping a city’s identity and fostering genuine connection. The fact that they’re still going, still fighting for that energy, is a testament to the power of a good party and a well-executed, if accidental, cultural strategy.
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