THE team behind No A Mean City are gearing up for their biggest event to date at the Art School on 5th September – and it’s all in aid of Refuwegee.
After first taking in place in 2024 in response to far-right, anti-immigration demonstrations in Glasgow, the event has continued to grow in size and ambition since its first edition at the Rum Shack – but with the same ethos of solidarity and community spirit at its heart.
No A Mean City V: Sounds of Solidarity features a stacked lineup of artists, including Walt Disco, heavyskint, Limonead, Gaia and Fraser McCallum, who will be getting together in the name of solidarity and resistance to the far right. It will also headlined by the Ninety Mean City All Star Band, featuring Declan Welsh, James Emmanuel and Andy Guitar and a choir including members of Vlure, October Drift, The Joy Jotel, Spyres and Sister Madds, who will perform a set of nineties classics.
It’s about showcasing some of the best talent in Scotland while simultaneously creating a safe space for inclusive dialogue and positive community action to take place.
All proceeds from this event will once again go to Refuweegee, a charity that works tirelessly every day to provide new Glaswegians with the essentials they need to feel safe and comfortable.
And as we’re just weeks removed from the disgraceful scenes that were taking place across the city centre, it feels all the more important and timely to get behind events like this now.
So, in the run up, we caught up with organized Mackenzie Burns to hear about the origins of No A Mean City, and what fans can expect on 5th September.
Get your tickets here.
Can you tell us a bit about No A Mean City and how it came about? Who’s all involved?
No A Mean City came about in 2024 as a small, positive antidote to the far-right demonstrations that were planned in Glasgow for September of that year. The idea was to give people a safe space to come and express themselves while also spotlighting some of the best and brightest artists coming out of the Glasgow music scene. I teamed up with SMC Presents and Crowded Flat with a bit of help from 432 Presents on the first one, with all proceeds going straight to Refuweegee.
What do you hope to achieve with the event?
At first, I just hoped we could contribute something positive to a really dark day for Glasgow but since it became clear people wanted No A Mean City to be more than a one-time thing, we now want to continue raising as much as we can for Refuweegee, while growing the event and the surrounding conversation each time. Ultimately, we hope to contribute positively to a more inclusive and tolerant society, but in the meantime, we’ll just have to be the resistance.
How has the event progressed through the years and how much have you raised so far?
So far, we’ve raised nearly £12,000 for Refuweegee. The events have progressed from the 180-capacity Rum Shack to the 500 capacity Art School with names such as Declan Welsh, Rosco Mcclelland, The Dunts, Soapbox, Lacuna, Tanzana and Vlure all appearing over the years.
Why do you think live music is a great vehicle for change and solidarity, particularly in Glasgow?
For me, there is nothing quite like the feeling of being in a room with people who share your energy and enthusiasm for an artist. Glaswegian audiences are some of the most intense and passionate in the world, always seeming keen to discover new music. Add to this Glasgow’s rich history of championing human rights causes and rejecting the far right and you should have an audience who are keen to be the change they want to see. We’re extremely grateful to everyone who keeps coming back to No A Mean City; after all, we’re only as good as the money we raise and the difference that money is able to make.
With the event called ‘Sounds Of Solidarity’, what artists come to mind with this theme and how have they inspired you?
‘Sounds Of Solidarity’ was inspired by me watching footage of the Kenmure Street peaceful protest and being really moved by how the gathering crowds all managed to chant in unison. It’s also a reference to how grateful I am that artists are still willing to volunteer their time, songs and ticket sales to the cause. One artist who comes to mind is Enter Shikari and their song ‘Solidarity.’ They’re also one of my dream acts to book for No A Mean City.
Who should fans look forward to on the line-up?
This year’s line-up really does have something for everyone. From old scene stalwarts Walt Disco to new kids on the block heavyskint, to viral Gaelic rap sensation Limonead to recent Commonwealth Games opening ceremony performer Gaïa. The one and only Fraser MacCallum will be opening the show before another one-off supergroup closes out the night playing a set of 90s hits with performances from Declan Welsh, James Emmanuel and Andy Guitar.
What’s next for No A Mean City?
Ask me after 5th September haha.
Photos by Andrew Adams
