Barrowland

About the Book: 

The Barrowland Ballroom – voted ‘best music venue in the uk’ by musicians and artists (time out) – has been a cornerstone of Glasgow’s live music scene for decades, embodying the city’s identity and spirit.

In Barrowland: the inside story of Glasgow’s beloved ballroom, Alison Irvine immerses readers in the tales of the individuals behind this iconic venue, from memorable gigs to backstage moments. It’s a must-read for music lovers and anyone who treasures Glasgow’s magic!

The building changes. See at night, it’s different, it’s totally different. JOHN SWIFT, bar manager and former nightwatchman at Barrowland

Alison has once again tuned her ear to the voices that matter, and what she’s found
is something worth celebrating. TOM JOYES, general manager at barrowland

Reviews: 

Best music venue in the UK. TIME OUT. Voted by musicians & artists

One of the most recognisable and distinctive music venues that is known the world over. GLASGOW WORLD

This place is a total monster. It’s a total legend. SIMON NEIL OF BIFFY CLYRO

The unique atmosphere at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow comes from being a building for modern entertainment while never forgetting its history. POLLSTAR

About the Author:

ALISON IRVINE was born in London to Antipodean parents. She moved to Glasgow in 2005 to study an MLitt in Creative Writing at Glasgow University, where she gained a distinction, and has lived in Glasgow ever since. 
 
She writes fiction and creative non-fiction. Her debut novel This Road is Red was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book of the Year award. Her second novel Cat Step was a BBC Radio 4 Open Book Editor’s Choice. 
 
Alison was Highly Commended in the 2024 Wigtown Book Festival Anne Brown Essay Prize for her non-fiction essay on Cumbernauld Town Centre. She has been the recipient of a Scottish Arts Council New Writer’s Award as well as Creative Scotland funding to support several writing projects. Her writing has been published widely including New Writing Scotland, Gutter, Mslexia, The Herald, The Guardian and The Big Issue. 
 
She is the writer in the artist collective Recollective www.recollective.org.uk and works regularly with photographer Chris Leslie and illustrator Mitch Miller. 
 
Alison lives with her husband and two of her three daughters and works as a trainer for the Scottish Book Trust’s Reading is Caring programme, training carers and health professionals to use shared reading with people living with dementia.