Barrowland

Alison Irvine is the author of Cat Step and This Road is Red. Cat Step was a Guardian Readers Book of the Year, a BBC Radio 4 ‘Open Book’ Editor’s Choice and an iPaper Best Book for Christmas. This Road is Red was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book of the Year Award. Her creative non-fiction work was Highly Commended in Wigtown Book Festival’s Anne Brown Essay Prize. Alison has received several awards from Creative Scotland to support her writing and she is the writer in the artist collective Recollective alongside photographer Chris Leslie and illustrator Mitch Miller. Born in London to Antipodean parents, she lives in Glasgow with her family.

Best music venue in the UK. TIME OUT. Voted by musicians & artistsOne of the most recognisable and distinctive music venues that is known the world over. GLASGOW WORLDThis place is a total monster. It’s a total legend. SIMON NEIL OF BIFFY CLYROThe unique atmosphere at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow comes from being a building for modern entertainment while never forgetting its history. POLLSTARThis is a fascinating book. By concentrating on the people and how they interact with the space, Alison Irvine gives a picture of this iconic building that goes way beyond the musical history and legacy and beyond mere bricks, mortar and famous floorboards to give a fascinating social and cultural history to this venue. Surely, and arguably, one which defines the city more than any other. With photographs from Alison's colleague Chris Leslie and Gareth Fraser, this book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Glasgow's history. ALI BRAIDWOOD, The Scots Whay Hae! Show, ClamGlen Radio