Watch: We speak to Irvine singer/songwriter on being the youngest act to play this year’s King Tut’s Summer Nights

Glasgow’s most renowned grassroots music venue is preparing for its tenth annual Summer Nights festival hosting a series of up and coming local acts across 26 dates between 18th July and 31st August. King Tut’s has helped shape the early careers of many world famous acts including Oasis, Paolo Nutini and Sam Fender earning its impressive reputation among music fans. Playing on its stage is considered a pivotal milestone for many aspiring artists and it is events such as these that help them cut their teeth among new audiences. 

One musician set to headline is singer/songwriter Abbie Gordon from Irvine. At 17-years-old she is the youngest act on the lineup and thus, is playing to the only show open to 14+. With a strong vocal range and catalogue of original songs the gig, scheduled for Thursday 8 August, is set to be a highlight in the lineup. 

We caught up with Abbie at the venue ahead of the show: “We are in King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut right now. It’s a beautiful place. I’ve always dreamed of playing this venue since I was a little girl. This time I am preparing to headline for the King Tut’s Summer Nights series. My dad headlined King Tut’s when he was in his band and it’s just a milestone for me to do the same thing. 

“I would say my style is kind of edgy pop. Pop music with a little bit of punk. I vary in different style - I just write what comes out. Sometimes I’m sitting at the keyboard and will come up with a jazz song or something, or do a rapping kind of vibe. And then sometimes I’ll do depressing ballads. There’s not really a specific style I limit myself in. I just write what comes out. 

“Summer Nights is an annual festival that happens in King Tut’s. It’s all about getting new artists and new and upcoming people from Scotland to showcase and have an opportunity to play at this amazing venue in front of a new crowd of people to build themselves up. I think it’s great. It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m very grateful to be apart of it this year. 

“I think people underestimate me. I get in my own head a lot about it. Just because I am so young and I worry people see me as just a wee girl who isn’t doing anything too serious. I’m always working with older people in the music industry and it makes me feel older. Then I realise I’m not, I can’t just go to the bar and get a drink. It’s strange but it’s exciting because I’ve still got a lot more ahead of me.”

Abbie is playing alongside Hana Jane, Katie Nicholl and Sinead Tait. The full festival lineup and tickets can be accessed here.