Lulu To Star In Glasgow 2014 Party

4 June 2014, 05:23 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Lulu will headline celebrations for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

She will lead a line-up of top Scottish musicians including Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes and Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire at the event on Glasgow Green.

Thousands of people are expected to celebrate the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games at venues including Glasgow Green and the newly-refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand in the city's west end.

Revellers will be able to watch the action from the ceremonies at Celtic Park on July 23 and Hampden on August 3 live on big screens, and enjoy seeing live music and special guests.

Lulu said: "The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are going to be amazing.

"Glasgow has much to shout about this year - and I look forward to cheering our sporting heroes on to success at the Games.

"I am delighted to join thousands of Glaswegians and those from across the Commonwealth on Glasgow Green to celebrate the opening of such a momentous event.

"My home city has an incredible, worldwide reputation for friendliness and enjoying a good-old get together.

"The opening ceremony celebration on Glasgow Green is the perfect occasion to invite everyone to join the party.''

Belle and Sebastian will perform at an opening ceremony party at the recently reopened Kelvingrove Bandstand, which will be the focus of celebrations in the west of the city.

The band was instrumental in calling for the £2.1 million refurbishment of the historic structure.

Stuart Murdoch, of Belle and Sebastian, said: "The bandstand at Kelvingrove Park is like a dream within a dream. We are very pleased to be playing there.''

Others performing at the Glasgow Green opening ceremony celebrations include James Grant, Sarah Hayes, Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert.

Organisers said that visitors will also be able to enjoy the very best Scottish food and drink at Glasgow Green, with Scotland's finest ingredients showcased at a food village.

During the closing ceremony celebration, the Treacherous Orchestra will lead a "rousing party'' on Glasgow Green, when revellers will have the chance to relive the highlights of the Games, along with surprise and special guests.

The closing ceremony at the bandstand will open with a new commission from Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, performing with Tam Dean Burn and multi-instrumentalist, Corey Mwamba.

There will also be classical music from Scottish Opera and others before the screening of the closing ceremony.

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games, said: "Glasgow will burst into life during Games times and I have no doubt that everyone will want to celebrate and where better than in some of our most iconic locations.

"The eyes of the world will be on us and everyone will see that Glasgow really does know how to put on a party.''

To reflect the Commonwealth Games' partnership with children's organisation Unicef, for every ticket bought for the opening ceremony celebration at Glasgow Green £1 will be donated to the charity to support its work with children in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth.

Tickets are on sale from 10am today and are available via www.glasgowlife.org.uk or by calling 0844 844 0444.

Prices start at £5, with concession and family ticket packages available.

Eileen Gallagher, independent board member for Glasgow 2014, said: "This is Glasgow's time to shine and we want as many people as possible to celebrate this amazing time in the city's life, with thousands gathered together on Glasgow Green and at Kelvingrove Bandstand.

"The opening and closing ceremonies will bring city, nation and Commonwealth together and we want everyone to be a part of that.''