0
Skip to Content
A Kick Up The Arts
Episodes
Live Events
About
Contact
Subscribe
A Kick Up The Arts
Episodes
Live Events
About
Contact
Subscribe
Episodes
Live Events
About
Contact
Subscribe

Latest Episodes

Featured
KELI
22 May 2025
22 May 2025

KELI (The National Theatre of Scotland)

In this episode, we’re celebrating brass bands, activism, teenage angst and community spirit, thanks to the National Theatre of Scotland’s latest production - KELI, which is running at Dundee Rep this week, before marching on to Perth Theatre and Glasgow Tramway in June…

Read More →
22 May 2025
David Keenan on Volcanic Tongue
13 May 2025
13 May 2025

David Keenan on Volcanic Tongue

The incendiary author of This Is Memorial Device, For The Good Times and more reflects on post-punk, art, magic, acid house, science fiction and his thrilling new collection of underground music writing, Volcanic Tongue.

Recorded live at Edinburgh’s Portobello Bookshop - thanks if you joined us!

Read More →
13 May 2025
Restless Natives: The Musical
24 Apr 2025
24 Apr 2025

Restless Natives: The Musical

-

Well I am thrilled to be hearing about a brand-new musical theatre production that’s based on one of my all-time favourite films…

-

Recorded between rehearsals at Perth Theatre, with stars Kyle Gardiner, Finlay McKillop, Kirsty MacLaren and Alan McHugh, and producer Andy Paterson.

Read More →
24 Apr 2025
Michael Pedersen: All Back To Mine
15 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025

Michael Pedersen: All Back To Mine
-
The award-winning author & poet discusses a favourite Scottish album, film & book, along with his wider life & work - & forthcoming novel, Muckle Flugga…
-
Recorded live at the Glad Cafe, thanks if you joined us in the audience!

Read More →
15 Apr 2025
Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross & Lorraine McIntosh
21 Mar 2025
21 Mar 2025

Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross & Lorraine McIntosh
-
Oh, I have loved them forever. Ricky & Lorraine invite me round for coffee (possibly unwise), to give me guided tour of their superb new album, The Great Western Road…

Read More →
21 Mar 2025
On Derek Jarman: Matthew Arthur Williams & Gavin Mitchell
18 Mar 2025
18 Mar 2025

On Derek Jarman: Gavin Mitchell & Matthew Arthur Williams
-
At the Digging In Another Time: Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature exhibition, with artist Matthew Arthur Williams, whose work features, and actor Gavin Mitchell, who remembers Jarman’s time in Glasgow in the 1980s…
-
Recorded at the Kelvin Hall

Read More →
18 Mar 2025
Dawn Steele: All Back To Mine
14 Mar 2025
14 Mar 2025

Dawn Steele: All Back To Mine
-
The TV & stage star, & Monarch of the Glen favourite, discusses her choice of a Scottish album, screen classic & book, along with her wider life & work.
-
Recorded live at Aberdeen’s Granite Noir festival

Read More →
14 Mar 2025
Glasgow Film Festival: with Allison Gardner & Chris Kumar
25 Feb 2025
25 Feb 2025

Glasgow Film Festival special
-
Celebrating the 21st Glasgow Film Festival with Allison Gardner & Chris Kumar.
-
Recorded at the Glasgow Film Theatre

Read More →
25 Feb 2025
More episodes here!

Live Events

Featured
Val McDermid at The Portobello Bookshop, Edinburgh (July 9th, 7pm)
24 Apr 2025
Val McDermid at The Portobello Bookshop, Edinburgh (July 9th, 7pm)
24 Apr 2025

Delighted that Val McDermid will join me to celebrate the paperback publication of her latest book, Queen Macbeth. We’ll chat about her life, and work - and she’ll also give us a virtual night of entertainment, discussing her choice of a Scottish album, film and book. Tickets here!

Read More →
24 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Barbara Dickson at The Stand (August 20, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Barbara Dickson at The Stand (August 20, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025

On August 20th, singer, folk star, actor and icon Barbara Dickson reflects on her life and work on stage, and screen - and in music of course - as we spend a virtual afternoon together round at hers, with Barbara's choice of a Scottish album, film and book to keep us occupied: she'll tell us what they mean to her, and why... She might even throw in some imaginary snacks. (I bet you a tenner that stovies will feature; BD's are the stuff of legend.)

Come and hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here.

Read More →
15 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Justin Currie (Del Amitri) at The Stand (August 23, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Justin Currie (Del Amitri) at The Stand (August 23, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025

On August 23rd - singer, songwriter and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie discusses his life, work, music - and new memoir, The Tremolo Diaries - as we spend a virtual afternoon together round at his, with Justin's choice of a Scottish album, film and book to keep us occupied: he'll tell us what they mean to him, and why... He might even throw in some imaginary snacks. (Justin once brought me a Danish pastry that may or may not have been half-eaten, so let's just say, expectations are high.)

Come hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here!

Read More →
15 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Grant Stott at The Stand (August 21, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Grant Stott at The Stand (August 21, 2-3pm)
15 Apr 2025

On August 21st, actor, broadcaster, pantomime fever-dream and vinyl lover Grant Stott chats about his Fringe and theatre adventures through the years, his starring role in River City - and his life-long love affair with Auld Reekie - as we spend a virtual afternoon together round at his, with Grant's choice of a Scottish album, film and book to keep us occupied: he'll tell us what they mean to him, and why... He might even throw in some imaginary snacks. (If he doesn't serve up Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations, then we can assume that the man has been cloned.)

Come and hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here.

Read More →
15 Apr 2025
More Live Shows Here!

A Kick Up The Arts

Sign up here for news on live events, podcast guests, ticket offers, etc - thank you!

Thank you!