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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Lee Dalgetty

When Glasgow hosted legendary BBC music show Top of the Pops at Archaos nightclub in 1999

Back in the good old days when Top of the Pops was still on our screens, Archaos nightclub played host to a historical episode of the show - the first to be recorded in Scotland.

The episode, which aired on May 27, 1999, was partly filmed in Glasgow and partly coming from London as usual.

Dozens of lucky fans gathered in Archaos where they were treated to an array of 90s talent presented by Scotland’s very own Gail Porter.

READ MORE - A look back at 90s fashion in Glasgow and all the trends you're bound to remember

For any teen at the time, Top of the Pops was the holy grail - and had been feeding music fans with the latest hits for 35 years at the time.

Apart from very brief beginnings at the BBC studios in Manchester, the show had come from the London studios for a long time - until Top of the Pops took to the road and was welcomed by Glaswegians as part of the Music Live festival.

Producer Chris Cowey said at the time: “I think Top of the Pops is great at what it does, but it’s really frustrating to be confined to the studio all the time.

“If it goes well in Glasgow, I see no reason why we can’t take it out to some of the coolest cities around the country, real urban centres, rather than making it some sort of seaside special.”

To no surprise, the Glasgow filming session went perfectly and Top of the Pops toured the UK later that same year - filming episodes in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Brighton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Swansea, and Liverpool.

Back at Archaos, Gail Porter was hosting the show which saw performances from Texas, Travis, and Hepburn.

Texas debuted a new single Summer Son, which went on to peak at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Travis performed their second single from their second album, which became their biggest hit single up to that point.

From the London studio, we watched Precious, Sugar Ray, and Sixpence None The Richer.

Sharleen Spiteri, lead singer of Texas, joined Gail Porter on stage at Archaos - and was also heavily involved in BBC’s Music Live festival which was being held in Glasgow at the same time.

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Over 100 events across the city were planned over Bank Holiday weekend in May 1999, with all forms of music from techno to classical.

Rhythm and blues legend Ray Charles appeared at the Clyde Auditorium, while other highlights included singer Chaka Khan and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Festival director Bill Morris said at the time: “It’s already won accolades as City of Culture, and City of Architecture and Design - so why not City of Music?”

“With a well-established reputation for music-making and concert-going, it certainly deserves the title.”

As for Archaos, the city said goodbye to the institution in 2007.

While it was once known as one of the hottest clubs in the city, many recall its relaxed door policy which allowed your average joe to rub shoulders with celebrity clientele.

Actor Charlie Sheen made headlines in 1997 after partying at Archaos with Rangers star Gazza, before heading to Easterhouse to continue the night.

Eventually, new clubs in the city began to draw in more punters and Archaos were forced to close its doors for good.

Top of the Pops ended the year before with its final episode airing on July 30, 2006. The programme had peaked in the 90s, though was dwindling by the early 00s and the decision was finally made to axe it.

Top of the Pops 2 began screening archive footage from the show down the years, however no new shows have been produced for years.

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