"We may finally have a venue to succeed the legendary Apollo." - Sunday Mail
"It will be among the top places to play for the biggest names in music" - Evening Times
In November 2002, AMG announced the acquisition of its fifth live music venue and further expansion of the successful Academy brand to Scotland. AMG purchased the former New Bedford Cinema, 121 Eglinton Street, Glasgow, G5 9NT from Scottish property developers E.D.I. Group to open as Carling Academy Glasgow on March 26th 2003 with legendary Scottish band; Deacon Blue.
The New Bedford originally opened in 1921 as a cinema theatre venue and has been fully refurbished at a cost of £3,000,000 to create a magnificent 2,500 capacity live music venue whilst retaining the grandeur of the art deco period including original ceiling features, balcony and boxes, proscenium arch around the stage, paneling on the stairwell; as well as the original facade.
The venue features a state of the art sound and lighting system and a fully flexible capacity of 2,500 for full building usage to cater for live gigs and cutting edge dance events and club nights. The design of the new acquisition emulates the success of AMG's Birmingham and Bristol Academy venues to allow Carling Academy Glasgow the option of converting to a short hall format for events requiring a smaller 1,100 capacity,, that is production complete.
Well received by both the industry and public alike, Carling Academy Glasgow was championed a welcome addition to the buzzing Scottish music scene. The Academy opened with a thrilling diary of vibrant rock, pop, indie and dance events including gigs from the Sugababes, The Proclaimers, Craig David, Mis-Teeq, Inspiral Carpets, two Massive Attack shows, White Stripes and Public Enemy. Its exceptionally healthy line-up has continued with outstanding sell-out shows from today's biggest international acts including Kings Of Leon, Kraftwerk, Jane's Addiction, Prodigy, Primal Scream, Travis, Basement Jaxx, The Charlatans, The Flaming Lips to Zero 7. Dance events are ever popular at the Academy with regular club nights from top Scottish club promoters Colours, Slam and Inside Out, plus alternative burlesque events with Club Noir.
Thanks to its flexible option for an all-seated format, it was the chosen venue to host the 2004 Glasgow International Comedy Festival presenting the giants of comedy: Johnny Vegas, Al Murray, Dylan Moran and Jimmy Carr. The same event returned in 2005 with shows from Paul Merton, Jerry Sadowitz and Julian Clary.
TO BOOK TICKETS
Venue Box Office Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday 12-2pm (excluding public holidays)
No booking fee for cash transactions, however there is a 1.50 admin fee per ticket when paying with credit/debit card.
Booking tickets:
Below is a list of official outlets used for various different shows. Please note that not all outlets below will be allocated tickets for each show. We encourage customers not to buy tickets from any unofficial outlets. If in doubt please contact the venue who will be able to advise.
If you have any issues with your booking (lost, stolen or damaged tickets or dispatch and postal enquiries) please contact the outlet for further help.
If you purchased tickets from Ticketmaster or Ticketweb, or via our website link, please contact Ticketweb / Ticketmaster customer service on 0870 153 5353
Collecting tickets
Please note tickets purchased from Ticketweb can be collected between Monday to Saturday 12-2pm or when the Box Office opens at 7pm on the night of the show.
For tickets purchased from any other outlet, tickets can only be picked up from after 7pm on the night of the show.
Please ensure you bring the credit card used to pay for the tickets and the reference number issued to you as without these tickets cannot be given out. If the reference number has been lost please contact the ticket outlet who will be able to reconfirm it.
Cardholders will be asked to sign for the tickets as receipt of collection. In the event that the card holder cannot attend the event, then a formal letter of authorisation must be given to whoever is. This person must then bring photographic ID in order to prove they are the named person.
This letter is a legal document designed to protect you from fraudulent use of your card, and therefore must state that:
'I.(enter cardholder's name)...authorise..(enter person collecting tickets name)...to collect the ticket(s) on my behalf'.
It must include:
- The confirmation number given at the time of booking
- The last 4 digits and the issue number of the card used
- The signature of the card holder.
TICKETS WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO YOU WITHOUT ALL OF THE ABOVE SO PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION WITH YOU.
Types of tickets
Please note the information below to ensure you purchase the correct tickets as no refunds or exchanges can be made after tickets have been purchased.
Standing - these tickets allow you to stand anywhere in the main hall including in front of the stage.
Unreserved balcony seats - these seats are located in the balcony and are allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that customers with balcony tickets can only access the merchandise stand in the main hall at the end of the show. There is no standing in seated areas or aisles, and for safety reasons this is strictly enforced especially in the front three rows.
Balcony booths - each booth is located on the balcony along the side of the venue. The booths do not have seats and you may stand in these areas.
Age restrictions:
Please bear in mind the following age restrictions when purchasing tickets as no refunds or exchanges can be made after tickets have been purchased.
Downstairs and upper standing - 14 years and over can stand as long as they are accompanied at all times by an adult over 16 years of age.
Balcony seats- all ages can sit in the balcony but again anyone under the age of 14 years must be accompanied at all times by an adult over 16 years of age.
Booths - over 16s only in these areas.
In light of recent forgeries, please note we will only accept photographic Driving Licenses (full and provisional) and passports as proof of age.
Bookings for the disabled:
For anyone wishing to make a disabled booking, please phone the Box Office between 12-2pm Monday to Saturday on 0141 418 3000 and press option 0 to speak to an operator. Tickets booked are retained at the venue and are collected on the night of the show. Personal assistant passes are available to those customers using wheelchairs or who are visually impaired. We suggest customers who have made a disabled booking may wish to arrive 10 minutes prior to doors and make themselves known to the stewards outside who will be able to issue tickets and assist with entry prior to the doors opening for general admittance.
PARKING FACILITIES
Street parking is limited therefore we do strongly recommend the use of public transport. Car parks nearby include the Centre Street car park (Cook Street), and the “Park and Ride” at Bridge Street.
USE OF CAMERAS & RECORDING EQUIPMENT
No professional cameras, video cameras, tape recorders or other recording equipment will be allowed into Carling Academy Glasgow.
TICKETS TERMS & CONDITIONS
- Current Licensing laws are strictly enforced
- Ticket holder may be subject to search
- Tickets are non-refundable or transferable
- Ticket holders consent to any filming and sound recordings as members of the audience
- Ticket holders may be subject to continuous sound levels which may cause potential damage to hearing
- Ticket holders may be exposed to strobe lights
- No re-admission policy is strictly enforced
- No bottles, cans, alcohol or food is to be brought into the venue
- No illegal substances may be brought into or taken on the premises. Any one caught in possession of such substances will be ejected form the premises and may be reported to the Police
- Any ticket holder throwing objects (beer, glasses etc) will be removed from the building and no refund given. Furthermore, customer details will be provided to the regulatory authorities should an offence be alleged to have taken place.
Carling Academy Glasgow adopts a neighbour friendly policy so please make as little noise as possible on leaving the venue.
CLOAK-ROOM FACILITIES
The Carling Academy Glasgow accepts coats and bags at £1 per item. It is located upstairs next to the Mezzanine Bar. Please note that items will not be given out without presentation of a valid cloakroom ticket, and any items for which the ticket has been lost cannot be claimed before the end of the night. Lost property can be claimed during office hours (10pm – 6am) Monday to Friday.
BARS
There are 5 bars in the Carling Academy Glasgow. In the main auditorium there is a large Island Bar immediately on entering the hall, and 2 Forward Bars - one on each side of the dance floor. In addition, the Mezzanine Room has a large bar and and plasma screens and sound systems relaying the event downstairs, and upstairs, there is the spectacular VIP Bar at the rear of the balcony with excellent views of the main stage.
VENUE CAPACITY
2500 (2200 for clubs)
DISABLED FACILITIES
Carling Academy Glasgow takes the needs of disabled customers very seriously and actively encourages people of all abilities to attend the events scheduled at our venue. Though built in 1921, the building has been modernised to allow ramp access from street level to the main auditorium.
We do advise customers to arrive at the venue 10 minutes prior to doors and ideally accompanied by an able-bodied person who will be admitted free of charge. You will be escorted to our raised viewing gallery that allows good sight lines for both music and other events.
Carling Academy Glasgow will aim to consistently review and improve its facilities to meet the needs of all our users. Our current amenities include the ramp, a disabled toilet reached via level access from the main auditorium and is accessible with a 'RADAR' key; plus we have first aid room available for customers to use should privacy be required at any point during your visit. Please note access to the balcony and mezzanine bar is via stairs.
Specific requests, enquiries or comments regarding access/personal needs should be made to the Carling Academy Glasgow Management team who will endeavour to accommodate all concerns.
For further details call David Laing on 0141 418 3000.
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