Lerwick Brewery has been named as the main sponsor of the second annual Hounds of Love music festival in Glasgow, which has announced a significant expansion following a sell-out inaugural event last year.
The festival – a celebration of the city’s vibrant DIY live music scene – will relocate to the southside for the first time, taking over the Rum Shack in Shawlands on Saturday, February 7.
The move to a larger, multi-room venue comes with a bolstered lineup of nine acts and the continued support of main sponsor, Lerwick Brewery. The partnership is rooted in the Shetland heritage of festival organiser Zack Manson, frontman of Glasgow-based band Hound.
Jonny Sandison, Head Brewer at Lerwick Brewery, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Hounds of Love festival again this year.
“Zack and the team are doing incredible work to nurture the grassroots music scene in Glasgow, and that DIY spirit is something we truly admire.
“As a Shetland-based business, we’re always proud to support talented Shetlanders making their mark elsewhere, and the authentic community vibe of this festival perfectly matches our values. We’re thrilled to help bring a taste of Shetland to Shawlands and can’t wait to see the place rocking.”
Shetland roots
Manson said the connection with Shgetland helps to articulate the thematic core of Hound’s new music which has been instrumental in the growth of the Hounds of Love festival.
“Last year’s success was a real turning point,” he said. “We sold out on the day and were turning people away from the start. Taking from that, we decided to book a venue that’s bigger, with more space and a restaurant attached.
“Moving out to Shawlands felt right for a whole-day event; it’s a bit quieter than the city centre but has loads of great bars and restaurants nearby. We’ve even coined it the ‘Love Shack’ for the year as a fun Valentine’s nod.”
Core of emerging talent
The festival lineup has broadened its reach, moving beyond an exclusively Glasgow-based roster to include exciting acts from across Scotland, while retaining its core focus on emerging talent.
“Last year we booked a lot of bands we knew well,” Manson explained. “This year we’ve pushed the boat out to access bands from different circles in the city. It’s nice to be able to offer a slot to people who are new to the city’s scene.”
The bill includes Edinburgh’s Bikini Body as headliners, the hotly tipped newcomers Babyshark, and festival regulars Come Outside. Manson’s own band, Hound, will perform earlier in the day to debut new material from their upcoming, self-produced album, recorded last October in the Western Isles.
Debut album
The band recently recorded its debut album at Black Bay Studio on the Isle of Lewis and it is due for release later this year.
“The album focuses on themes of island life and moving away from an island community like Shetland to living in a city,” said Manson. “It explores the relationships you maintain despite the distance.”
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Manson said the festival is now an established fixture in Glasgow’s live music calendar.
“Even from last year’s success, it’s become a bit of a date people wait for. I’ve had musicians, photographers, and engineers asking if it’s happening. The aim is for it to be an annual showcase for local and up-and-coming bands, whether I’m playing or not. It’s all about growing the community.”
The Hounds of Love ‘Love Shack’ festival takes place at The Rum Shack, Shawlands, on Saturday, 7th February. Doors open at 2 PM. Advance tickets are priced at £15 plus booking fee and are available via Eventbrite.
