udio 24 (')
NUE
The beginning of 2006 looked bleak for Edinburgh’s clubland. Venues were closing left, right and centre and it looked like
Studio 24 was going the same way due to noise complaints.
Legal representatives advised licensee David McArthur that closure was ‘imminent’, but things started to turn a corner when regular clubbers banded together to help soundproof the club. Miraculously, Studio 24 got its reprieve. The owners have revamped their interior and their club roster while still sticking to their rock and techno roots. Meanwhile, their live music programme has stepped up to the next level with acts ranging from Lily Allen to Rancid playing the last few months. A true grassroots clubbing success story. (HN)
Franz Ferdinand (2) V POP BAND 9000 was a relatively (iuiet year for l ran/. featuring lust 10/: gigs Vv/OlldWKit) including support slots for UP. 'lhey did find time to drop in to the Edinburgh International Book festival to discuss songwriting though. And frontman Alex Kapranos released a hook of food critigue coluriiiis. Okay. so perhaps not so quiet then. tMJl
Tina Warren 0 CLUB PROMOTER No one could have iriiagined the burlesque Club Noir would have gone on to achieve the success it has. Now housed Within the massive Carling Acaderiiy (Willi various ventures across
18 THE LIST M [)er:?()()fi -1.Jaii}’()()/
in txdinburgh from time to time) Tina Warren and Ian Single's night of old school cabaret. striptease and vaudevrlle he s struck a cord with the public. Reriieriiber: 'no jOlelS or trainers'. ll lNl
Meg Fraser 0
STAGE ACTRESS there are moments in the theatre when a performer seems to take on a role so completely that it is difficult even for hardened critics not to be completely taken into the illusion of their character. For such a performance. in one show alone. Meg l raser warrants lll()|tlSlOll in this list. Her work as the much put upon and at times self deceivrng Wife in Iom loo/ at the Citi/ens' theatre was one that WI“ no doubt put many critics in mind of awards time. (SC)
Mark Millar 0 P COMICS AUTHOR One of the best writers in comics. Millar's achievements are many and varied. spearheading titles like [he t/nfu/i/iies.
Ultimate X Men. I Ulti/iiafe / a/itastic / ouM
Authority. Sitar/rip [hing and l/‘i/o/veii/ie. However. this year he landed perhaps his most prestigious gig to date. iiiaster'iiiinding Marvels huge crossover event. Civil War (selling over 7:50.000 per issue). that led to Spideriiian's grotindbreaking unmasking. ll lNl
Julie Fowlis 0
A FOLK SINGER We shouldn't always believe the hype when people Win awards. but for North Uist—born l owlis. the hype has been
justified. ller position as a talent in traditional music was solidified wrth her nomination for best singer at the Radio 2 Folk Awards this year. Whether it is singing solo or as part of the inimitable Declias. she s a graceful and beguiling a . singer as you could find. iMRi
David
McLennan (-) PIEMASTER After revolutionising West lr-nd lunchtiiiies Willi his A Play. A Pie and A Pint series. this year the 7:84 veteran beat Vicky Featherstone to the ()lenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award (Theatre; in [)eceiiiber. by provrng that ()laswegians Will go to see l ringe shows (if they're staged at the Oran Morl and genteel l dinburgh
gristle With some theatre). iKli
XFM (-) RADIO STATION
/ It's already become such a driving
force in Scottish radio that it's easy to forget X! M only started in 9000. the home of indie radio. it's an oasis of eclectic music. With a distinct Scottish accent. Xl M has also helped rernvrgorate the live scene aci't ss Scotland. With gigs. band comps and events like their Winter Wonderland
ii {Ni
Charlie Fletcher (-)
CHILDREN'S AUTHOR When it comes to children's literature. a vrvrd imagination is required by both writer and reader. And this one has it n spades. In Stone/rear! a bunch of statues come to life proriiising bad deeds upon the boy who awoke them from their inanimate slumber. Hut help is naturally at hand. MO)
Tommy Sheppard
(97) COMEDY PROMOTER l’roVing that a coriiedy venue is for life and not Just for August. the Stand's magnet like ability to attract the top comics on the circuit has never been stronger and their eye for a pioneering idea has thrived With their all female SiStars! and all newcomers Red Haw nights. (BO)
Torn Kitchin 0
> CHEF the last rising young star in the Scottish culinary scene. i dinburgh born Kitchin returned from ten years working in highly rated l uropean restaurants to open his own establishment in l eith in 7000. (Looking superbly With well sourced Scottish produce he quickly impressed both diners and critics. the restaurant's name? Simple enough: the Kitchin. (OH)
residents Wil/ consuriie Scotch pies iproVided they can wash down therr
ohn yrne 0 4 DRAMATIST John Byrne's long and distinguished career in Scottish theatre reaped another highlight this year With a theatre adaptation of his 108/ televrsion serial Ii/tti / mm. a triumph for the NlS. lhe story of Danny and his sudden promotion to leading his i'ite brother‘s ailing retro band amused and iiioyed audiences Wherever it W; s seen. It was a reminder of liyrne's ability. and a fitting tribute to tl‘e great man. '80
Janice Kirkpatrick (-)
DESIGNER As creature director of (‘ilasgoW design g=ants (‘irayen lriiages. Kirkpatrick led a team. to glory in l dinburgli by creating the sii'xaggei‘irig splendour of ligerlily in George Street easily the classics! of the New Heekie style bars. But along the way Kirkpatrick also chaired the board of lhe l ighthouse. guiding Scotland's design and architecture centre Willi a steady hand -.'~/hile it waited for list editor Nick Harley to take t.p his new post as director. it Hi
Martin Smith 0
FILMMAKER thirty three year old t'iiriiiiiaker Smith ‘.'.”{)ll the HM lA Scotland Award for Best Short l rim for the very fine hacks. S'iiilh's directorial (3V ll‘illtiHOS music tideos for Aral: Strap and the [)elgados. and a I()l()‘.’lSl()ll show in \‘JillCh he portrayed l dinbiirgh through the eyes of its celebrity inhabitants. He is also part of the Script l actory‘s Writers Group. and is developing a
number of feature :zcieeniiiays. You Will
be hearing more from this man. (POi