The Hot 100 2016: 80–71
Donald Runnicles, Such a Drag, Denis Sulta, and Still Game among our favourite cultural contributors this year
80 Donald Runnicles
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra chief conductor's seven glorious years ended with a truly blistering EIF performance of Schoenberg's suitably end-of-an-era Gurrelieder. He's now conductor emeritus, so we can expect him to be called out like a veteran gunslinger whenever a big Mahler comes to town. (AJ)
79 Restless Natives
Seven days of walks, talks, film and music (including Ghostface Killah (pictured), Tim Hecker, Future of the Left and Tuff Love) was enough to ensure this new festival in May deserved recommendation, but its showcasing of the recently unexplored East End of Glasgow was a strong selling point. (DP)
78 Jonnie Common
Branching out from his established combination of free-associating lyrics and folktronic beats, Common released the surprisingly beautiful Kitchen Sync in 2016, created entirely of samples from his kitchen. His work with Jamie Scott in CARBS also continued to be phenomenally entertaining. (NB)
77 Denis Sulta
Having received accolades from the likes of Four Tet and John Talabot, Denis Sulta has made quite an impression since the release of his Numbers debut 'It's Only Real'. The Glaswegian DJ-producer launched his own label, Sulta Selects, with the 'Nein Fortiate / Dubelle Oh XX' EP its first release. (AQ)
76 Such A Drag
On the last Sunday of every month at Electric Circus, you'll find host Groundskeeper Fanny and her cohort of fabulous fellow queens performing live lip-synchs to classic tracks and hilarious numbers. In the past year, this has done much to promote the art of drag in Scotland. (AQ)
75 Still Game
After almost a decade on ice, Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill's misbehaving neighbours, Jack and Victor, made a triumphant return to our screens. Now a genuine cultural phenomenon, the Craiglang duo are all set to embark on another residency at the Hydro. (MR)
74 Modern Studies
Self-described as a 'chamber pop band from Glasgow-via-Yorkshire', Emily Scott, Rob St John, Pete Harvey and Joe Smillie have created what will surely rank as one of the Scottish albums of this year in the fragile, beautifully composed Swell to Great, released on Song, by Toad. (DP)
73 LuckyMe
LuckyMe are a force to be reckoned with, thanks in part to their roster of supreme DJs, producers and musicians. Releases from Hudson Mohawke, Baauer and Machinedrum, to name but a few, have cemented their reputation for innovation in the dance music scene. (AQ)
72 Matt Regan
Riding on the wave of gig-theatre, Matt Regan's skills as a raconteur and composer came together in Greater Belfast, a personal journey through the city of his birth. Now based in Glasgow, Regan's performances bring rock'n'roll and poignancy together. (GKV)
71 Glorious Traces
The artistic hub of Glasgow's Southside is assuredly The Glad Café. To celebrate its fourth birthday in August, the Shawlands venue held Glorious Traces, an inspiring weekender curated by local heroes Alasdair Roberts (pictured), Alex Neilson, Counterflows and the Save As collective. (SS)