Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells: The 50th Anniversary Celebration

: THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED
Tickets: £70, £50.96, £38.64, £28.56 (includes booking fee)

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Dates and times: Sunday 13th Oct 2024
7:30PM
Age: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Venue: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

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Doors: 7pm

1st Half: 7.30pm

Interval: 8.10pm

2nd Half: 8.30pm

Finish: 9.30pm

Please note all timings are approximate and may be subject to change.

THE MULTI-MILLION SELLING, MULTI-AWARD-WINNING, ICONIC ALBUM

Mike Oldfield’s TUBULAR BELLS The 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Please note Mike Oldfield will not be appearing at this concert.

Tubular Bells is world-renowned as one of the most celebrated examples of music in film for its soundtracking of horror classic The Exorcist. Its legacy was cemented with Oldfield’s performance of the album’s main theme at the iconic London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, one of the rare performances of the project he has given.

The Tubular Bells live in concert will feature an expansive live group, conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith, which will see the iconic Tubular Bells performed in full, as well as other works by Mike Oldfield including Moonlight Shadow, Summit Day, Family Man and Ommadawn.

Tubular Bells, created in 1971 and released in 1973, was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter Mike Oldfield. At just 17 years old when he started composing the music, Oldfield recorded and played almost all the instruments on the album, gained worldwide recognition when the opening theme was used for the soundtrack of the horror film, The Exorcist and went on to become the highest selling instrumental album of all time.

A bold and progressive fusion, Tubular Bells is a journey through classical, jazz, folk, progressive rock, and electronica and went on to win a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition in 1974.

Robin Smith, the Musical Director of the tour show, was completely mesmerised by Tubular Bells the moment he heard it. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe and then studied Composition at the Royal College of Music. He spent several years working as a piano/keyboard player in Africa, the Caribbean, USA, and Europe before coming back to UK to join National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He quickly became the principal pianist and spent most of his free time composing new jazz compositions.

Smith has collaborated with Mike Oldfield for over 30 years, with performances of Tubular Bells including at Edinburgh Castle, and also the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

On the tour, Smith says:

“The show was premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in August 2021 to great acclaim as an early celebration of and tribute to Mike - who in my view is one of England’s greatest composers of the last century. Along with the musicians, it’s a real privilege to be performing this extraordinary work. It’s as fresh today as it was when Mike created it in 1971 - and I love having the chance to bring it to new audiences as well as those who, like me, are still captivated by it whenever they hear it.

“The wonderful thing about Tubular Bells is that it never seems to age. It takes you on a journey through progressive rock and electronica, blues, folk, jazz and classical and along the way evokes such melodic beauty and drama. We’ve had plenty of tears from the audience throughout the UK and Europe, with so many wonderful stories of their first experience with Tubular Bells.”

‘A magnificent performance of a piece that's now part of the fabric of popular culture. And when you think Mike Oldfield was just 17 when he began writing it, and was 19 when the album was released, it's nothing short of a work of genius.’ - Newcastle Chronicle

‘This is a concert for anyone, for those who grabbed the album when it came out on vinyl in 1973 to the Spotify audiences of today. Music is at its best when it’s live! A most enjoyable experience. I would go and see this show again in a heartbeat.’ - Brighton and Hove News

Booking Information

A 12% booking fee is included in the ticket price, as advertised. At check-out this fee will be shown separately for receipt purposes and to ensure the face value of your ticket is correct. Prices are subject to change. Prices may vary on the night of a show. Transactions fees may vary depending on event.

Dispatch Charges

E-tickets - Free of charge
Fulfilment Fee - £1.95

Transaction Charges apply as follows

Online up to £1.50

Phone up to £1.75

Counter/ In Person: Free

Tickets Booking Line:
0141 353 8000.
Lines open Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00 (excluding Bank Holidays). Please check opening hours over any Bank Holiday period.

To view the full Ticket Purchase Policy please click here

Restoration fund

From 1 September 2024, for any new events going on sale at our Concert Halls venues (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls and Old Fruitmarket and Kelvingrove Bandstand), a new Restoration Fund of £1.50 per ticket may be added at checkout. To view the full Restoration Fund T&Cs please click here

Accessible toilets

There are several accessible toilets in this venue. For more information on the location and features of these toilets, please use the AccessAble guide.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome at the venue, but please be aware that noise levels can be high during some events. At the time of booking please let our Box Office Team know if an assistance dog will be accompanying you to the venue, or email the Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk

Hearing loop

The stalls of the Main Hall and New Hall are equipped with induction loop systems, but operation is dependent on each individual event or performance, so provision can vary. Headsets can be supplied during your visit. For more information about the availability of induction loop systems at the venue please email our Venue Team: GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair access is from the Killermont Street entrance (North Entrance) only. From this entrance, there is Lift access to all levels.

Each performance space has designated seating for wheelchairs and a companion is welcome to sit with you. Please contact our box office team for more information at box_office_enquiries@glasgowlife.org.uk

Wheelchairs are available on request. For use of a venue wheelchair, please email our Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk

Emergency Evacuation

If you have accessible requirements and wish to discuss a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) please contact the venue management team: GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk

Baby changing

There are baby changing facilities in the café toilets and exhibition corridor toilets (next to the Box Office)

Baby feeding

Breastfeeding is welcome at the venue.

Cafe or restaurant

Full table service is not available, food or drinks are ordered from the service counter. However, food and drinks can be brought to the table.

There is not a lowered section at the counter.

No tables are permanently fixed. No chairs are permanently fixed. Some chairs have armrests.

Drinking straws are available.

Menus are hand held and wall mounted. Menus are not available in Braille. Menus are not available in large print. Picture menus are not available.

Café Opening hours are 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday. The café also will be open for events to ticketholders only. For more information contact our Venue Team at GRCHVM@glasgowlife.org.uk

Parking

There is no on-site parking but there are nearby car parks:

Concert Square Car Park - visit their website

Buchanan Galleries Car Park - visit their website
Please note Buchanan Galleries close at 9pm.

Meter Street parking is also available. Read parking information on Glasgow City Council's website

Photography and video recording

At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.

The public are only permitted to record and take photos where explicit permission has been granted in advance.

Free wifi

Yes, there is free public Wifi access. To connect, visitors have to register with the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Public Wifi which should pop up on their browser. After that visitors will only need their password for future uses.

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Location Map

Here at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, we take your safety and security seriously. That’s why we’re supporting Counter Terrorism Policing’s campaign to encourage everyone to help keep each other safe this winter.

We have security measures you can see and, of course, ones you can’t. We ask you to help by staying alert and trusting your instincts.

While you’re with us, you will see our security team and front of house staff, who are there to help you if you need it. If something doesn’t feel right, tell them straight away and they will do the rest. You won’t be wasting our time.

In an emergency, call 999. Let’s keep each other safe.

With many different rooms and breakout areas available, the complex can accommodate meetings and conferences from 12 - 2000 delegates. Visit the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's venue hire web page to find out more.