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“I just love Glaswegians”: Singer who moved to Glasgow delighted to perform at Commonwealth Games opener
“I just love Glaswegians”: Singer who moved to Glasgow delighted to perform at Commonwealth Games opener
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony star Gaia couldn’t believe it when her invite to appear at the Games’ performance arrived. The Glasgow singer, who was one of the standout acts of the big Hydro celebration, thought she was on the end of an elaborate trick when she opened an email asking her to perform on stage. The singer-songwriter, who has just released her debut single Big Girls, almost didn’t reply. She said: “I actually thought the email was a scam so I am glad that I decided to take the chance and reply. When I realised it was real, I was shocked.” The French-born artist, who studied law at Aberdeen University, didn’t move into music until she relocated to work in Glasgow music bar NiceNSleazy where she sang in jam sessions during her breaks. Gaia “fell in love” with the city and stayed for four years and now divides her time between Glasgow and London. She said: “I just love Glaswegians and I felt at home so quickly. Glaswegians are very friendly. They are very like the French in a lot of ways, very honest people.” Her performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, at the ceremony was performed against the stirring backdrop of an ensemble piece paying tribute to Glasgow’s Kenmure Street protests. The 1900 song - originally written as a tribute to former US President Abraham Lincoln - was adopted as rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s in the fight against American apartheid. The Kenmure Street protests saw the city’s community spontaneously gather to successfully stop two Sikh men being taken away by immigration officers in May 2021. It was the subject of a film this year starring Oscar winner Emma Thompson and Scots actor Kiera Lucchesi. Gaia said: “The messaging of the Kenmure scenes was important. There is a real inclusiveness to the Scottish attitude, a left leaning, anti-establishment which is a big reason of why I have felt at home here and it was important that it was reflected in the ceremony. The messaging of the Kenmure scenes was important to me.” Gaia’s striking dress at the ceremony was made by Scottish designer Annabel Stewart, using images of family photographs of relatives who were in the Highland Clearances. She said: “It’s such a special dress, and a real learning curve about the history of the clearances.” The Games’ opening ceremony saw the King and Queen appear onstage in Dr Who’s TARDIS accompanied by Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, with KT Tunstall headlining. This Sunday’s Hydro closing ceremony will be headlined by Glasgow legends Simple Minds.
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony star Gaia couldn’t believe it when her invite to appear at the Games’ performance arrived. The Glasgow singer, who was one of the standout acts of the big Hydro celebration, thought she was on the end of an elaborate trick when she opened an email asking her to perform on stage.
The singer-songwriter, who has just released her debut single Big Girls, almost didn’t reply.
She said: “I actually thought the email was a scam so I am glad that I decided to take the chance and reply. When I realised it was real, I was shocked.”
The French-born artist, who studied law at Aberdeen University, didn’t move into music until she relocated to work in Glasgow music bar NiceNSleazy where she sang in jam sessions during her breaks.
Gaia “fell in love” with the city and stayed for four years and now divides her time between Glasgow and London.
She said: “I just love Glaswegians and I felt at home so quickly. Glaswegians are very friendly. They are very like the French in a lot of ways, very honest people.”
Her performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, at the ceremony was performed against the stirring backdrop of an ensemble piece paying tribute to Glasgow’s Kenmure Street protests.
The 1900 song - originally written as a tribute to former US President Abraham Lincoln - was adopted as rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s in the fight against American apartheid.
The Kenmure Street protests saw the city’s community spontaneously gather to successfully stop two Sikh men being taken away by immigration officers in May 2021. It was the subject of a film this year starring Oscar winner Emma Thompson and Scots actor Kiera Lucchesi.
Gaia said: “The messaging of the Kenmure scenes was important. There is a real inclusiveness to the Scottish attitude, a left leaning, anti-establishment which is a big reason of why I have felt at home here and it was important that it was reflected in the ceremony. The messaging of the Kenmure scenes was important to me.”
Gaia’s striking dress at the ceremony was made by Scottish designer Annabel Stewart, using images of family photographs of relatives who were in the Highland Clearances.
She said: “It’s such a special dress, and a real learning curve about the history of the clearances.”
The Games’ opening ceremony saw the King and Queen appear onstage in Dr Who’s TARDIS accompanied by Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh, with KT Tunstall headlining. This Sunday’s Hydro closing ceremony will be headlined by Glasgow legends Simple Minds.