IT'S the St Vincent Street venue where rock n' roll dreams are made.

 

Now King Tut's Wah Wah Hut is celebrating 25 years as one of Glasgow's favourite music hot spots.

The stories about the bands who've played there have entered into rock n' roll mythology - Oasis being spotted by Alan McGee after a support set, the Killers being an opening act and blowing everyone away, umpteen gigs by Biffy Clyro, early appearances by current chart stars like Twin Atlantic and the 1975...

Now it's celebrating its 25th birthday with non-stop gigs throughout February.

We've asked several acts to share a few memories about why King Tut's is a special place to play.

James Graham, singer, the Twilight Sad (performing tonight): "I've been going to gigs in King Tuts to watch my favourite bands for over a decade now, long before we had even written our first song as the Twilight Sad.

"Our headline show at King Tuts in 2007 was one of the first gigs we'd ever sold out and I remember receiving the famous King Tuts Whiskey after the gig.

"I saw recently that we have our name on the steps that lead you up into the venue which is really cool.

"King Tut's Wah Wah Hut is a venue that has always been very kind to us, the staff are always really welcoming and to me a venue is only as good as the people that work within it and Tuts is full of good people."

Kerr Okan: frontman, The LaFontaines (performing Sunday February 8): "King Tut's provided some real credibility to our movement early on. To be invited back to celebrate its 25th birthday, is a privilege. The venue is steeped in history, so in homage to our first ever show there, we've decided our sold out gig will be a throwback and we'll be playing the same set we played at our very first show."

Craig Johnston, gig booker, King Tut's: "Bands usually play at King Tut's just as they're about to break the music industry.

"I love watching them go on to play bigger venues but what makes King Tut's special is that they're always keen to return for an intimate gig. We pride ourselves in looking after each and every band that come to King Tut's."

Sam McTrusty, singer, Twin Atlantic: "I think a lot of people take for granted how dramatic the layout makes the whole experience. You have to walk in what feels a tiny door for a music venue that transports you into one of the best bars in Glasgow and there's an amazing jukebox.

"Then the trip upstairs is like the grand reveal. You're in a place where the magic and history of the venue just vibrates through the place with every band that takes to the stage."

Stevie Jukes, singer, Vigo Thieves (performing Saturday February 21): "King Tut's will always have a special place in our hearts. We were the first unsigned band to sell out two nights in a row and it's easily the best small venue in the world."

James John, singer, Jim Valentine (performing February 14): "What can be said of a venue that has meant so much to the whole band growing up? It just has everything any music lover could love: intimate setting, great acoustics, a well-stocked bar and Glasgow banter dripping from the walls."

Simon Neil, Biffy Clyro: "In 2014 we played an intimate gig in King Tuts and it reminded us why so many young bands aspire to get on that stage. It holds a special place in our hearts."

Damian Kulash, singer, OK Go: "In our 16 years of touring, King Tut's stands out as one of our most memorable shows. The power went out after a song or two, and everyone at the club did their best to bring it back on.

"But it seemed clear after about 15 minutes of everybody standing in the dark that we would have to switch venues in order for the show to continue. The next thing I knew we were on the street with the entire audience around us, and we had gotten someone to pull up their car so we could blast a CD on the car stereo.

"From there we proceeded to do our entire Million Ways To Be Cruel dance routine in the middle of the street. It was a magical moment in the sense that it was a first for all of us. By the end of the dance, the police had come to break it up."