1934
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Maggie decided to build a function hall that could be used by her traders for social events, it was to become the Barrowland Ballroom with Billy McGregor and the Gaybirds installed as the resident band.
1938
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Such was the success of the ballroom it was extended to almost double its size to cope with the demand, dancing was one of the most popular forms of entertainment around this time.
1940
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
With Europe in the throes of war Barrowland was to feel the impact, its neon sign at roof level was dismantled as a precaution against enemy bombing, the ballroom was mentioned on radio broadcasts by Lord Haw-Haw and a few bombs exploded close to the market; but Glasgow was still dancing.
1958
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
A few months after Maggie died the family was hit with another catastrophe, Barrowland burnt to the ground, the following morning Sam McIver vowed to rebuild the ballroom bigger and better than before.
1960
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
The new ballroom opened in December, it didn’t disappoint, it was finished to a high standard and could accommodate around 1500 dancers. Billy McGregor and the Gaybirds continued as resident band at a time when music and tastes were beginning to change.
1983
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
The ballroom was by this time in mothballs, the big band sound had passed, and the dance venue format had changed. Glasgow band Simple Minds were looking for a venue to film a video to promote a new single and Barrowland was suggested as it was lying empty doing nothing. The video was shot, complete with an invited audience of around 600 and Barrowland was proved ideal, and Barrowland began a new life as a gig venue, going on to become one of the best of its kind.
1985
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
The Barrowland neon sign was born. Under the banner of the Margaret McIver Festival the new sign was illuminated on Sunday 11th August by television personality Russ Abbot. It was believed to be the largest in Britain, bigger than the Coca-Cola sign at Piccadilly in London.
1991
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
The Barrowland stage hosted a variety of artists, including Iggy Pop, Jane's Addiction, Lenny Kravitz, Alison Moyet, The Almighty, Debbie Harry, Ice-T, Big Country, James, Tin Machine, the Ramones, and Texas.
1997
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Attendees at The Barrowland Ballroom had the opportunity to enjoy performances by renowned artists including Blur, The Chemical Brothers, Supergrass, Counting Crows, Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Foo Fighters, INXS, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Ocean Colour Scene, and Daft Punk.
2001
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Glasgow's Barrowland has been a venue where audiences have shared memorable experiences with various artists. Notable performances include those by Manic Street Preachers, Barenaked Ladies, Dido, Gary Moore, Muse, Travis, Tool, Oasis, Air, The Proclaimers, and Pulp.
2005
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Several performances beneath the barrow ceiling featured: The Mars Volta, Faithless, My Chemical Romance, Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails, James Blunt, Echo and the Bunnymen, KT Tunstall, and LCD Soundsystem.
2012
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
The entire audience moved in unison on the sprung dance floor alongside Simple Minds, Garbage, Robbie Williams, Scissor Sisters, Twin Atlantic, Ed Sheeran, Admiral Fallow, and Enter Shikari.
2015
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Barrowland Hall of Fame was instigated to recognise entertainers and other individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the music industry.
2023
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
On 22nd August a new bar was opened in the ballroom called Sam’s Bar which was a homage to Sam McIver the man responsible for Barrowland when it opened in 1960.
2024
BARROWLAND BALLROOM
Barrowland Ballroom was awarded Time Out's best music venue in the UK, as chosen by the artists that have played there. On August 22nd, two new bars, Kitty’s Bar and Victor’s Bar, were inaugurated in the ballroom, honouring Kitty and Victor Cairns, who played significant roles in revitalising the Barrowland Ballroom.
