NEW concerns have been raised about the future of the O2 ABC which was badly damaged by the Glasgow School of Art fire as it appears to be out of action till beyond April, next year.
The Academy Music Group Company which owns the famous Glasgow music venue and has kept tightlipped about the extent of the damage, has confirmed alternative gig venues for ticket holders running to the end of April, next year.
The building, which is actually older than the Mackintosh and during its 143-year-old history has been a diorama theatre, a circus, a dancehall and a cinema, was severely damaged by Friday night's blaze.
Bands and fans alike have registered their devastation at seeing footage and pictures of the destruction of the distinctive turquoise roof ot the Sauchiehall Street venue.
The Academy Music Group, which has not been discussing the future of the O2 ABC has, however, confirmed that gigs featuring the likes of Teenage Fan Club, Shaun Ryder's Black Grape, House of Love and Ash have been moved, with some rescheduled.
The last scheduled date to be moved is the Scotland Calling punk all-dayer featuring The Exploited, Slaughter and the Dogs, The Macc Lads, Angelic Upstarts and UK Subs on April 27, 2019 which has been moved to the O2 Academy.
The latest rescheduled gig is by the industrial rockers Ministry which has been moved to SWG3 on July 18 while Passenger on August 30 will now play the Barrowland Ballroom and Tide Lines on December 8 has moved to SWG3.
There is only one later scheduled gig that has not yet been moved, The Icicle Works 35th Anniversary Tour gig on May 24, 2019.
The venue posted information for fans saying: "Following the fire at the Glasgow School of Art on June 15, our venue has sadly also been affected.
"We are posting updates of what is happening with shows on each individual event page as soon as possible...
"Thank you for your support, patience and understanding."
Dougie McPherson, an O2 ABC regular said: "I really do hope that this is not the end for the venue. Shifting gigs till well into next year says a lot about how it has been hurt by the Art School fire."
It first opened as the Diorama in 1875 and featured a canvas of paintings which told the story of the Battle of Waterloo.
For much of the first quarter of the 20th century, it was home to Hengler's Circus, before it became a dancehall, and then became an ABC cinema for 70 years.
The last movie was shown in October, 1999, before the buidling was converted into a music venue with a pub and restaurants.
Scotland Calling on Saturday 27 April 2019 has been moved to @o2academyggow on the same date due to a fire at @GSofA which has affected our venue. All original tickets will remain valid. https://t.co/HJj1YpFgNb pic.twitter.com/CICNBNCh6o
— O2 ABC Glasgow (@O2ABC) June 19, 2018
Due to a fire at The Glasgow School of Art that has affected adjoining buildings, including O2 ABC Glasgow, our Greatest Hits show will be moving to O2 Academy Glasgow on 20th December 2018. All tickets purchased are still valid, for @O2AcademyGgow tickets https://t.co/my5AOBhrNN pic.twitter.com/M3weL30r9J
— Cast (@castofficial) June 19, 2018
Shaun Ryder's Black Grape @officialswr @ItsBlackGrape on Thursday 22 November has been moved to @O2AcademyGgow on the same date due to a fire at the @GSofA which has affected our venue. All tickets valid for this new show. pic.twitter.com/wYa23icOyY
— O2 ABC Glasgow (@O2ABC) June 20, 2018
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