Surge Festival Outdoor Arts
Surge Festival returns to the Merchant City with fabulous and unique street theatre acts from around the UK and the world. A diverse selection of fantastical performances will be joined by our Four Nations bursary acts, newly developed by street performers from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales along with a full music programme at The Social Hub stage.
Follow Me by Be Flat
A surprising acrobatic journey through the streets of Glasgow.
| FRIDAY 1pm (1 hr) |
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 2.30pm (1 hr) |
| Ramshorn Graveyard |
The two acrobats of Be Flat have prepared a unique tour of Glasgow for a select group of followers. The streets of the city, the facades of the buildings and the cobblestones below are transformed into an urban circus piste. Follow Me is not only a performance to be watched, but also a playful collective journey through public space. So, turn off your mobile phones, tighten your shoelaces, and let’s go!
You may have to carry a folding stool. Please do not bring big bags or rucksacks as you'll be on the move throughout this act!
Tickets £6
Charlotte Brontë: Senseless Trash by Fran Bundey
A walk with Charlotte Brontë. Senseless Trash from beginning to end.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| Ramshorn Graveyard |
| 12pm and 2pm (30 mins) |
Join Charlotte Brontë on a field trip over the moors and listen to sounds that shaped the Brontë sisters lives (Charlotte, Emily and errrmmm what's her name...Anne is it??). The howling winds at Top Withens, tranquil trickling of nearby waterfalls and the angelic tones of Beyoncé will accompany you on your journey. Senseless trash from beginning to end. Don't say I didn't warn you. Oh and keep your wits about you...there are beasts on those moors...
This show is part of a Four Nations Bursary Programme supporting artists to create new outdoor work.
Charlotte Brontë: Senseless Trash is a ticketed, 30-minute show. Attendees must be present for the duration of the show. Ages 14+
Tickets £3
A Portal
Leave the streets of Glasgow behind and step into imagined worlds of your own making!
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| The Social Hub |
| 12pm (2 hrs) and 2.45pm (1hr 30) |
Using model making, simple props, green screen, live performance and real-time generative AI, we will transport you to other worlds in a fun mash-up of improvisational theatre and cutting-edge technology.
Duck! by Toonspeak Young People's Theatre
These are our streets, and we can play in them if we want to!
| SATURDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 12pm and 1.45pm (30 mins) |
These are our streets, and we can play in them if we want to!
Young people from Toonspeak have been working with Surge, to create a brand-new walkabout act for the streets of Glasgow. Expect silliness, expect absurdity, and expect the unexpected.
Come along and see what we have made!
A new collaboration between Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre and Surge.
Melter by Robbie Thomson
Synthetic organisms inhabit a shadow world where waste, society and environment find new meanings.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| Bottom of Hutcheson St |
| 12pm to 5.30pm |
Synanthrope: an undomesticated organism adapted to living in human environments.
Melter is a series of encounters with animatronic beings born into late capitalism. How do they relate to the world around them and the humans that they share their space with? What can their bodies and voices tell us about its conditions?
Darkly humorous and confrontational, these synthetic organisms inhabit a shadow world where waste, society and environment find new meanings and illogical behaviours occupy their daily routines.
This show is part of a Four Nations Bursary Programme supporting artists to create new outdoor work.
The Composter by The Desperate Men
Part human, worm, banana versus micro & nano plastics – epic!
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 12.30pm and 2.45pm (45 mins) |
This interactive walkabout show connects people with the value of composting.
Having slipped into an allotment bin in 1973, The Composter now emerges, part man, part worm, part banana, part idiot.
Utilising a fantastical costume with built in sound system, smoke machine & lights they have been steeped in the music of Prog Rock and 80’s pop. Are they able to face their nemesis, micro & nano plastics?
Now and Then by Pitch'D Productions
Unlikely friendship between social-media instamodel, and a no-nonsense, hardy older lady.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| Bottom of Hutcheson St. |
| 12.30pm and 3.45pm (45 mins) |
"Now and Then" is an unlikely friendship between social-media-obsessed-aerial-instamodel Pookie and no-nonsense hardy older lady, Nancy. Featuring an aerial rig, the show is a generational clash, filled with slapstick comedy, aerial acrobatics and a heartwarming story of connection in a digital world.
This show is part of a Four Nations Bursary Programme supporting artists to create new outdoor work.
Baby Gareth and The Norbert Nannies Ruby Brown & Constance Canavarro
The Nobert Nannies take Giant Baby Gareth on a walk.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 1.15pm and 3.30pm (45 mins) |
Aspiring Nobert Nannies Berta and Pauline have a nightmare on their hands in the shape of Giant Baby Gareth! They have taken him for a walk in his state-of-the-art pram in the hope that interacting with members of the public will stop him from misbehaving.
This show is part of a Four Nations Bursary Programme supporting artists to create new outdoor work.
Exposed: From Clubs to Open Air by Dorine Mugisha
An energetic performance exploring power of self-expression using sharp arm movement, posing and storytelling. Audience welcome to join.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 1.15pm and 4.45pm (20 mins) |
This solo performance explores the power of self-expression in public spaces, using whacking to reclaim space and demand visibility. Punking, later commonly adapted and referred to as "whacking", is a style that emerged in the 1970s underground clubs in LA. It is distinctive through the attitude/behaviour, posing and striking with force (whacking). Inspired by the queer history of whacking as a form of self-liberation, freedom of oppression, this piece transforms the urban or rural setting into a stage where dance becomes a voice for resilience, joy, and pride.
This show is part of a Four Nations Bursary Programme supporting artists to create new outdoor work.
DeliverArt by Techbox
Piping hot masterpieces, delivered in minutes.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 2pm and 4.15pm (45 mins) |
Feast your eyes! A speedy delivery service for all your artistic cravings…
Starved of culture? Hungry for delicious art in all its forms, music, visual art, modern dance, are now all available at your fingertips!
Just scan, tap and relax - as one of our speedy artisan couriers delivers you a piping hot masterpiece in minutes.
Look out for the QR Codes
Alien Aquatic by Dudendance
Aquatic Aliens land in the Merchant City - de-hydrated and lost.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| WALKABOUT |
| 1.15pm and 4.15pm (30 mins) |
Dudendance's latest work, Alien Aquatic, imagines what kind of creatures would emerge if plastic mutated into living beings.
Audiences come across the Aliens as they emerge from giant pods that are blown up by the wind. The performance is made for beaches, swimming pools lakes and rivers with most of the action submerged in water. At SURGE we will do a walkabout version for dry land. the Aliens. The soundscape, created by Fiona Soe Paing and Clea Wallis alludes to mass production of plastic and endangered and lost species.
Brass, Aye?
With a penchant for the gold and shiny, we bring singing, dancing, and carnival flavours to every party.
| SUNDAY |
| Garth St or Wilson St corner |
| 5.30pm (30 mins) |
With a penchant for the gold and shiny, we bring singing, dancing, and carnival flavours to every party.
Our music and make-up have evolved over the years, with fostering growth and creating joy at the heart of what we do. But like our music, our penchant for gold and shiny has evolved too. Once donned with a single golden t-shirt, we're now often found gilded head to toe. All complemented by bringing maximum funk + party wherever we go.
Articulation Summer Gathering
Join Articulation for a morning of discussion and debate, where we’ll explore our common ambition for Outdoor Arts, Circus and Spectacle in Scotland.
| FRIDAY |
| GATHERING |
| 10am to 12.30pm |
Join Articulation for a morning of discussion and debate, where we’ll explore our common ambition for Outdoor Arts, Circus and Spectacle in Scotland.
Articulation is completing a review of these sectors with a research team from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. At the Summer Gathering, they’ll share their findings and ask about your vision for the future of the OACS sector in Scotland. Be part of the conversation and let’s make Scotland a place where outdoor arts, circus and spectacle can flourish.
This animated morning will include opportunities for networking and lunch will be provided.
Click here to book your free place..
Social Hub Stage
SAT 12 – 21.00, SUN 12 - 20.00
Location - THE SOCIAL HUB
Surge in partnership with 432 Presents, supported by The Social Hub presents a full music stage line up for Surge Festival pulsing with soul, disco and deep dub vibrations.
Featuring the high energy antics of Lezzer Quest and the genre-blurring brilliance of Possibly Jamie on Saturday.
There will be an unmissable combination set on Sunday evening from Vixen Sound, Wends and Dougie No Pain (Mungo’s Hi-Fi) - a boundary-breaking fusion, guaranteed to move your body and lift your spirit. Follow Surge on social media to find out more about the line up!
Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots Radio by Lewis Sherlock & Stanley Smith
Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots Radio celebrates all that we love and hate about vegetables, with two giant beetroots and their carrot microphones. Hand-picked as the ‘beeting’ heart of Surge Festival, these beetroots are equipped with a vegetable basket rap station firmly planted on the street in the Merchant City throughout the day.
| SATURDAY AND SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 12pm (45 mins) |
Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beetroots Radio is an interactive performance featuring two people dressed as giant beetroots who use music, movement, and humour to engage audiences of all ages. Hand-picked as the ‘beeting’ heart of Surge Festival, these beetroots are equipped with a vegetable basket rap station firmly planted on the street in the Merchant City throughout the day. Providing a live radio experience, these characters encourage everyone to co-create lo-fi hip hop beats by providing vocal samples, loops, and raps about their favourite (and least favourite) vegetables. A scheduled NewsBeet caters to interviewing other acts about their 5-a-day and The Beats will play all the best plant-based power ballads going. This performance blends physical comedy with participatory music-making, creating a relaxed, inclusive, and playful atmosphere.
The LO FI HIP-HOP BEETROOTS are the ultimate warm-up gang – and they are good in a salad too.
Cara Rose
Cara Rose’s soulful songs explore love, life, and identity.
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 1pm (45 mins) |
Cara Rose is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Glasgow, Scotland. Exploring what it means to be a young woman traversing life in such uncertain times, Cara's soulful musings won over scores of fans as she honed her craft across the venues of Glasgow which led her to embark upon multiple sold out European headline tours, taking her captivating live show to the European mainland. Distinctly Glaswegian, Cara's direct, passionate and insightful lyrics hold no punches as she traverses topics of love, life, and her place in the world.
Cathal Murphy
"Oozing jazz, funk, soul... his voice is that good" - BBC RADIO 1
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 2pm (45 mins) |
Featuring across BBC Radio 1 as 'Tip of the Week' and BBC Radio Scotland as 'Artist of the Week', ‘Track of the Week’ and ‘Best of the Best’ Cathal is one to watch.
Having toured the U.K, Germany and Switzerland extensively and released music/toured with the likes of Ariel Posen and London's own Charlie Stacey, he blends guitar-centric funk with new wave jazz and soul. Cathal’s first headline UK and Ireland tour seen sold out shows from Edinburgh to London's iconic jazz venue Pizza Express.
Cathal’s music has been featured on the likes of Amazon Prime Film Soundtracks, AerLingus adverts, Spotify Editorial Playlisting and across national and international TV with live performances from BBC Northern Ireland to ABC News in the states.
Illyus
Illyus is a Glasgow-born DJ and producer known for his raw, percussive disco house sound and undeniable energy behind the decks.
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 3pm (45 mins) |
Illyus is a Glasgow-born DJ and producer
known for his raw, percussive house sound and undeniable energy behind the decks. With releases on iconic labels like Defected, Toolroom & Nervous, he’s become a staple in the global dance scene blending soulful infuences with club ready intensity.
Bringing rhythm, grit, and grooves to standout sets at Fabric, The Warehouse Project, Printworks, Hï Ibiza, Ushuaïa, CRSSD Fest, Splash House, and beyond. He’s also delivered a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix and currently hosts Toolroom Radio, showcasing his sound to a worldwide audience every week.
Pistol Daisys
Pistol Daisys - the bold voice of Scotland's alt-pop scene.
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 4pm (45 mins) |
Blending confessional songwriting with dance floor-ready hooks, Pistol Daisys are the bold new voice of Scotland’s alt-pop scene. The Glasgow-based trio consists of frontwomen Belly Rachel and Lorna Lynne, backed by drummer and producer Lewis Kelly. The Daisys inject infectious energy and emotional depth into every track—whether it’s heartbreak under the disco lights or a tribute to late-night street life.
Federation of the Disco Pimp
Federation of the Disco Pimp return bigger & tougher than ever!
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 5pm (45 mins) |
Federation of the Disco Pimp are Back!! After a 5-year hiatus, FOTDP return bigger & tougher than ever!
Providing unstoppable grooves since 2010, Multi Award Winning Federation of the Disco Pimp are Scotland’s premier exponent of modern Funk. Combining elements of Old-School Funk, Disco, Psychedelic and Jazz, this 7-piece band of Scots are legendary for their endless energy and blistering live sets.
*2017 'Best Musical Group + 2016 'Best Live Performance' Sunday Herald Cultural Award
Championed by Funk legend Craig Charles (BBC6), BBC Radio Scotland and Jazz Fm, FOTDP have gained a solid reputation in the UK funk scene resulting in further live performances supporting George Clinton Parliament / Funkadelic, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Snarky Puppy, Sister Sledge, Hot 8 Brass Band & Many more.
Possibly Jamie
A boundary-pushing blend of art-pop and experimental electronic sound, Jamie has carved out a unique place in Scotland’s underground pop scene.
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 6pm (45 mins) |
Possibly Jamie is an electronic pop producer-singer-songwriter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Known for his boundary-pushing blend of art-pop and experimental electronic sound, Jamie has carved out a unique place in Scotland’s underground pop scene.
Drawing on influences ranging from Björk (whose 1995 track “Possibly Maybe” inspired his moniker) to Kate Bush, FKA twigs, SOPHIE, and Charli XCX, Jamie fuses his classical training with adventurous production and striking vocals to craft a sound that’s as bold as it is distinctive.
Lezzer Quest
LEZZER QUEST are a Glasgow based DJ duo
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 7pm (45 mins) |
LEZZER QUEST, the brainchild of Glasgow’s underground mainstays Bonzai Bonner (Shoot Your Shot) and Anna Gram (Correspondent), emerged as a larger-than-life force within the city's vibrant music scene. What started as a collaboration for one-off events quickly evolved into an exciting partnership, capturing the hearts of club goers with their distinctive 'anything goes' musical style and infectious energy.
As the duo's popularity soared, LEZZER QUEST have found themselves playing alongside some of the scene’s most prominent names and gained coveted residencies at renowned Glasgow venues; The Berkeley Suite, Sub Club and La Cheetah. Festival appearances include Draaimolen, Body Movements, Riverside, and Kelburn, and last year they made their Berlin debut for the Polari Records launch party at Panorama Bar, solidifying their reputation as electrifying party starters.
Sacred Paws
The duo of Ray Aggs (Trash Kit, Shopping) and Eilidh Rodgers (Golden Grrrls) took their roots in the punk world and wound it together with myriad influences, from Afrobeat, through pop and post-punk, to create a glorious and unique hybrid.
| SATURDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 8pm (45 mins) |
The duo of Ray Aggs (Trash Kit, Shopping) and Eilidh Rodgers (Golden Grrrls) took their roots in the punk world and wound it together with myriad influences, from Afrobeat, through pop and post-punk, to create a glorious and unique hybrid. With their emblematic, signature sense of fervour, Sacred Paws continue to hurtle forward, jumping into life, embracing that forward motion that stops lingering in the shadows of life’s messiness.
DJ ELANDA
ELANDA is a DJ & producer from Zimbabwe with a percussive and intoxicatingly hypotonic melodic style.
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 1pm (45 mins) |
ELANDA is a DJ & producer from Zimbabwe with a percussive and intoxicatingly hypotonic melodic style. Her sound is a multifarious eclectic, deep, dark- a rhythmic-led melodic bass trip, flowing seamlessly from afro-tech/house to global bass, leftfield, and UK dubstep. She brings an effortless finesse to dance music. Don't be surprised if she drops some R & B tunes on the occasion too though!
Brass, Aye?
With a penchant for the gold and shiny, we bring singing, dancing, and carnival flavours to every party.
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 2pm (45 mins) |
With a penchant for the gold and shiny, we bring singing, dancing, and carnival flavours to every party.
Our music and make-up have evolved over the years, with fostering growth and creating joy at the heart of what we do. But like our music, our penchant for gold and shiny has evolved too. Once donned with a single golden t-shirt, we're now often found gilded head to toe. All complemented by bringing maximum funk + party wherever we go.
Alice Faye
Alice Faye's retro-pop music is refined, imaginative and insightful, with a voice that feels like it's always been there.
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 3pm (45 mins) |
Alice Faye's music is refined, imaginative and insightful, with a voice that feels like it's always been there. Her songs are twisting journeys, filled with wild eyed drama and bittersweet intimacy in equal measure. A love of Musicals from the 1940s, 60's folk and country is lifted to a new and exciting level through the added influence of chanson from Piaf and Brel. Confessional like a Wainwright, she is restlessly creative and in possession of a unique and arresting voice.
The Jack Ruby 5
The Jack Ruby 5 - Soul Jazz & Latin Grooves
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 4pm (45 mins) |
The Jack Ruby 5 - Performing Classic Blue Note style Jazz standards & original Soul Jazz grooves
kitti
With a voice that has the power to move people to tears, to uplift their spirits, and transport them to another world, kitti promises an electric experience that engages all the senses and leaves you feeling exhilarated and inspired.
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 5pm (45 mins) |
With a voice that has the power to move people to tears, to uplift their spirits, and transport them to another world, kitti promises an electric experience that engages all the senses and leaves you feeling exhilarated and inspired. With her greatly anticipated debut album set to be released later this year, she’s already making waves in Scotland, and beyond.
Dougie No Pain (Mungo’s Hi-fi), Vixen Sound and Wends
An unmissable combination set on Sunday evening from Vixen Sound, Wends and Dougie No Pain (Mungo’s Hi-Fi)
| SUNDAY |
| Music Stage – The Social Hub |
| 6pm (2 hrs) |
An unmissable combination set on Sunday evening from Vixen Sound, Wends and Dougie No Pain (Mungo’s Hi-Fi) - a boundary-breaking fusion, guaranteed to move your body and lift your spirit.
