One of Glasgow’s most distinctive buildings will be taken over by some of the city’s most popular musicians this weekend in celebration of rebel youth.
Stars from Glasgow bands Mogwai and The Bluebells will take over the Pyramid, a former Church of Scotland church in Anderston, as part of a nationwide film and music festival this weekend.
Barry Burns, of thunderous rock outfit Mogwai, and Ken McCluskey of pop favourites The Bluebells will be joined by authors, film makers and photographers at Glasgow’s Pyramid for Rip It Up At the Pyramid which runs from Friday to Sunday at the former Anderston Kelvingrove Parish Church.
Multi instrumentalist Burns, whose band are famously one of the loudest to have emerged from the Scottish scene, will perform a DJ set in the former place of worship on Saturday and Sunday.
McCluskey of The Bluebells has co-curated the festival which is part of the British Film Institute’s 2026 FAN UK-wide season, Rip It Up, exploring and celebrating the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression.
The three day event will also feature an exclusive preview of Scots filmmaker Grant McPhee’s forthcoming documentary about the music scene in Liverpool of the 70s and 80s.
The Revolutionary Spirit charts the rise of three of Liverpool’s defining post-punk bands: The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & the Bunnymen and The Wild Swans.
And fans of the critically acclaimed 2011 music exhibition, What Presence! The Rock Photography of Harry Papodopolous, featuring the work of legendary photographer, will get another chance to see some of the collection which originally ran at the city’s Street Level Photoworks
The display is curated by Ken McCluskey whose iconic band feature in the exhibition along with the likes of Aztec Camera and Orange Juice, whose hit gave the BFI festival its name.
Films being screened include Quadrophenia, Teenage Superstars, a 30th anniversary edition if Glastonbury the Movie, Beats and Living for Kicks, as well as this year’s hit Scots flick California Schemin’, directed by James McAvoy.
Author and singer Katy Lironi, whose memoir Matilda In The Middle tells of her experience as the mum of her daughter with Down’s Syndrome, will give a talk and will also lead Choir 21, the Downs choir she established, in a live performance.
The three-day bash will also feature opportunities for music fans to make their own merchandise or customise their old pieces.
The Pyramid is a former Church of Scotland church, designed by Glasgow architects Honeyman, Jack and Robertson for the Church of Scotland, in 1968, as part of the redevelopment of the Anderston area. It operated as a church until 2019.
Ailsa MacKenzie, chief officer of The Pyramid said: “We’re so excited to have such a diverse lineup performing over the course of the weekend, there really is something for everyone.
“We can’t wait to bring music and film fans into the Pyramid to see for themselves what’s going on in one of the city’s most iconic modern buildings.”