The Long Play Sessions: Grant McPhee: In Conversation and Book Signing

Scene Within a Scene: Scottish Independent Music 1992-2001

Grant McPhee joins The Long Play Sessions for a talk and signing chronicling how Scottish indie bands like Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai, Primal Scream, and Teenage Fanclub reinvented themselves after the early 1990s music industry crash

As the celebrated indie boom of the 1980s faded, record labels collapsed, rave culture dominated, and guitar music faced an uncertain future.

Out of this period of upheaval emerged a bold new wave of artists. Rejecting the familiar jangle-pop sound, these bands drew inspiration from anarcho-punk, hardcore, no-wave and post-punk pioneers, forging a more adventurous and uncompromising musical landscape. Influenced by bands such as Big Flame, A Witness, The Mackenzies, Josef K and Fire Engines, they helped redefine what Scottish independent music could be.

What to Expect

• An insightful conversation with Grant McPhee, exploring how Scotland's indie music scene reinvented itself following the collapse of the early 1990s music industry.

• The stories behind the bands, including Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai, Primal Scream and Teenage Fanclub, and how they helped shape a new era of Scottish independent music.

• A deep dive into the influences that inspired a new generation of artists, from anarcho-punk and hardcore to post-punk pioneers such as Big Flame, A Witness, Josef K and Fire Engines.

• Behind-the-scenes insights into the people, labels, venues and DIY culture that fuelled one of the most innovative periods in Scottish music.

• Audience Q&A, offering the opportunity to ask Grant about the book, the featured artists and the lasting legacy of Scotland's alternative music scene.

• Book signing, with copies available to purchase on the night through our bookselling partner or bring your own copy to be signed.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Long Play Sessions for a candid, joyful and uncompromising evening celebrating music as a lifelong force.