Girls Rock Glasgow celebrates its biggest summer rock school yet

Girls Rock Glasgow has wrapped up its biggest summer school to date, bringing together 60 young people and more than 70 volunteers for nine days of music, creativity and noise in July 2026.

The grassroots organisation encourages girls and queer young people to take up space, find their voice and make music on their own terms. Over the nine days, participants formed bands, wrote an original song, learned their instruments, many of them for the first time, and then performed live in front of friends, family and supporters.

The rock school took place at Glasgow University's QMU, where sessions covered instrument lessons, Rock Herstory, self defence and music journalism, all supported by a dedicated volunteer crew.

The 2026 graduation showcase debuted 14 brand new bands, a record for the organisation. The junior bands, for ages 8 to 12, had names including Noisy Neighbours, Circus Riot, Miss Attitude and Fire Exit, while the senior bands, for ages 13 to 16, included Chelsea Smile, Vinyl Blush, Curse These Alien Hands and Trip Hazard.

Co-director Alice Black said that at a time when festival line-ups and live music stages still show a huge imbalance in the number of female and non-binary-led bands, projects like Girls Rock Glasgow are more important than ever. Fellow co-director Beth said that growing up, the idea of girls being in rock bands felt alien to her, so it is a privilege to give a new generation of girls and LGBTQIA+ young people a stage.

The showcase raised more than five thousand pounds through tickets, merchandise and donations, money that will fund next year's summer rock school, mentoring and year-round programming. That is a big step up from 2025, when the showcase, held at The Art School, raised more than three thousand pounds and debuted 12 new bands.

It is a joyful example of Glasgow's DIY music spirit, and a reminder that the next generation of local bands is already plugging in.

Follow Girls Rock Glasgow on Instagram at @girlsrockglasgow or visit girlsrockglasgow.com for news about future rock schools and volunteering.