By Eva Curran
When it comes to WestFest, one of the best things about the festival is how every venue brings something completely different to the programme. And few venues capture the spirit of Glasgow’s West End quite like Cottiers.
Tucked away on Hyndland Street inside a beautiful converted church, Cottier’s has always had a special place in the West End. This WestFest, Cottier’s is hosting a packed programme that perfectly reflects what the festival is all about, combining music and history with a brilliant line-up throughout the festival.
One of the feel-good highlights has to be the Rock Choir, an uplifting evening raising funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland. You might already recognise them, or even have seen them perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. There’s something special about live music that brings people together for a good cause. Expect big energy, familiar songs, and a brilliant atmosphere. For musical theatre fans, A Night at the Musicals promises all the classics. From Les Misérables to Wicked, it’s a chance to hear some of the biggest stage favourites performed live in one of the West End’s most unique venues. If you’re someone who secretly knows every lyric already, this one might be for you.
More Music Please!
And if WestFest for you means discovering live music you might not normally stumble across, Cottier’s really delivers. The Ivy Big Band brings a huge 30-piece ensemble to the venue after sold-out shows in Edinburgh. Expect a mix of jazz, funk and pop with the kind of energy only a live big band can create. There’s also C. W. Stoneking, the Australian-American singer-songwriter known for blending jazz, blues, and folk into a style that feels timeless while still sounding fresh.
Then there’s Jesse Malin, described by Rolling Stone as a gritty troubadour (a composer and performer of poetry and music during the High Middle Ages – to save you looking it up). A perfect night out for fans of rock that will enjoy Malin bringing his own style and storytelling to the West End. And for progressive rock fans, Neal Morse, known for his work with Spock’s Beard, rounds out a seriously impressive line-up.
History in the Making
But Cottier’s isn’t just about music. One of the things that makes it so interesting during WestFest is how it also celebrates the building itself and the history behind it. Originally a church, the venue is closely linked to Daniel Cottier, the Scottish artist and designer it’s named after. Known for his stained glass and decorative work, Cottier was a major figure in the Aesthetic Movement, and his influence still feels present in the building today. For history lovers or anyone curious about Glasgow’s architecture, WestFest’s heritage and traditional skills events offer a chance to learn more about both Cottier himself and the stories tied to the venue.
That mix of old and new feels like what makes Cottier’s so special. One evening you can be listening to jazz or musical theatre beneath stunning historic architecture, and the next you can be learning about the people and craftsmanship that shaped the building in the first place.
WestFest is always a reminder of how much is happening across the West End, and Cottier’s is proof you don’t need to look far for a brilliant night out. Whether you’re heading along for music, history or simply because it’s one of Glasgow’s most iconic venues, Cottier’s is well worth adding to your WestFest plans this June.
