It’s Independent Venue Week across the whole of the UK this week, and of course Glasgow has been taking part.

In a city that is populated with venues big and small, from cosy basements to cavernous arenas, this week is crucial to showcase the diversity and wealth of talent that resides here.

Jack Calum Richardson is included in that remit.

Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Jack, who is from Glasgow, released his new single, ‘Jill’ tonight in The Hug and Pint.

"We're feeling really good. It was the last rehearsal with the band yesterday, and a series of live videos have come out over the last few weeks filmed at The Blue Arrow. I think it'll be a good night of music and pals" says Jack.

His debut single “That River” featured as single of the week on the renowned Radio Scotland Janice Forsyth and Grant Stott show, and he has already come to be known on the grassroots music circuit for his role in The Hoojamamas. So what does a week like Independent Venue Week mean, to an independent artist like Jack?

“I think its an important thing - it gives venues the opportunity for venues to draw crowds that don't necessarily come by their venues.

"It definitely helps venues to continue, especially ones like The Blue Arrow who support good music and pay musicians fairly. Without these weeks, and festivals like Celtic Connections, I think venues would struggle.

"I'm quite proud to be a part of it too. I only launched my first single in September last year so its a nice thing to be asked to do the show, by people like 432. I take it as a place maker that music in general is doing well in the Glasgow music scene."

Indeed, the music scene in Glasgow is thriving. But with so many younger musicians taking to the stage, they are at threat of potential exploitation through scenes like 'Pay to Play'.

"Pay to play is still an issue" says Jack.

"I've been gigging since I was 14, for a decade, but only could access gigs through pay to play until I was 20. The gigs ended up being a promoter for a show that doesn't care about the music they put on - a jazz band plays with a metal band - walking away with thousands.

"The thing is about that in Glasgow that the scene is full of musicians in their early 20s, making great music. It outweighs people feeling discouraged...it would be good to see all these people seeing us as musicians and thinking, 'I could do that'.