Sing it From the Rooftops: Singers and Bands Gather in Govan to Highlight Climate Change

Bands gathered in Govan to highlight Climate Change. Photo by Kyle Murphy.

Singers and bands join together to highlight the importance of climate change in Govan this afternoon. 

Before many of the govan locals were able to catch a glimpse of the 10 metre puppet ‘Storm’ walking up and down the streets, a group of people appeared outside the Govan and Linthouse Parish Church rehearsing ahead of the event. 

The band were joined by Scottish folk singer Karine Polwart who was in good spirits ahead of their performance. At the event, Polwart spoke about how climate change has affected her as COP26 comes to an end this Friday. She said: “I would say my main concern is my responsibility for everyone else. The major impacts haven’t quite hit many people in Scotland yet but you can see it coming with the fuel crisis and food not appearing on our shelves.

“I think for me it’s more about how my life and my choices here in Scotland impacts on other people's lives and that’s the big thing I’m really thinking about.” 

Polwart also says that this event is really important for bringing people together to show how important climate change is and that we should be paying more attention to it. 

She said: “People, whether they are making music, making films or writing books, have all got a platform to talk about the things we feel that are important. 

“To me there is a point to make but it's also really joyous and beautiful so there is a way to make a really important point about things and not to do it in a downbeat fashion.

“The fact that people are getting together to see that this matters is really important so it’s about what we can do collectively more than what we can do individually.” 

Polwart, joined by Edinburgh street band Oi Musica and 120 members of the Soundhouse Choir, sang ‘Enough is Enough’ which is about the themes of environmental justice and shared well being and touches on the Glasgow coat of arms.

As Storm made her way through the streets of Govan, everyone stopped to watch and listen to the performance. Crowds began to sing and dance with the performers as Storm watched on from behind the crowd. 

As the song ended, loud cheers and applause was directed from the crowd with Polwart, Oi Musica and the Soundhouse Choir bowing and thanking the crowd for coming out to see the show.