The Hot 100 2015: 40–31
Hudson Mohawke, Lyceum Theatre and Canongate among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2015
40 Royal Lyceum Theatre
As the Lyceum company hits 50 and artistic director Mark Thomson moves on, Edinburgh’s swish theatre celebrated with a season that did justice to a modern classic in Waiting for Godot while still showcasing adventurous new work such as Tipping the Velvet. (GKV)
39 Hudson Mohawke
Carrying a certain weight of expectation thanks to his Kanye-producing activities and the success of TNGHT, Glasgow’s Ross Birchard lived up to it with Lantern. His second album built upon his unique fusion of rave and hip hop with new textures, particularly from guest vocalists such as Antony Hegarty. (DP)
38 Frankie Boyle
In the past, Boyle made headlines for taking shots at largely undeserving targets. But the comedian has recently found a political second wind with his powerful (and hilarious) Guardian column. He’s also back on the road touring, with an extraordinary polemical show. (MR)
37 Canongate
Another strong year for the Edinburgh publishers, as Jamie Byng’s 21st year in charge was marked by Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s Guantánamo Diary being longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize and Catherine Chanter’s The Well receiving widespread acclaim. Russell Brand, Terry Gilliam and James Rhodes all appeared on the Canongate roster. (BD)
36 Mogwai
Celebrating 20 years of sonic drama, Moggers put on two very special nights at Barrowland featuring cameo appearances from the likes of Aidan Moffat and Luke Sutherland. They popped up at the end of the year with more evocative business for season two of Les Revenants. Read Stuart Braithwaite’s Ten Favourite Mogwai Songs. (BD)
35 Tommy Gormley
There can’t be many better jobs in the film business than being JJ Abrams’ right-hand man, and this is the reality for Glaswegian Tommy Gormley when he wakes up every morning. Being assistant director on Star Wars: The Force Awakens was not a bad way to spend 2015. (BD)
34 Macbeth
The brutal but beautiful Highland landscape is a pivotal character in Justin Kurzel’s gritty retelling of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Directed by an Australian and starring German-Irishman Michael Fassbender as the monarch who succumbs to madness, their Macbeth put Scotland firmly back on the movie map. (HN)
33 Citizens Theatre
A recent BBC documentary on the Citz, (Blood and Glitter) gave a unique insight into this Glaswegian institution, and its history of staging iconoclastic work and crowd-pleasers alike. At 70, the Citz still surprises with its mix of old (Slab Boys revival) and the new (Lanark adaptation). (LI)
32 Colin Clydesdale
The chef-proprietor of Ubiquitous Chip, Stravaigin and Hanoi Bike Shop was the inspiring figure around which the Real Food, Real Folk Co-operative of Glasgow restaurateurs and food and drink producers coalesced, producing the Let’s Eat Glasgow festival over a sun-kissed September weekend. (DR)
31 Honeyblood
A hectic, breakthrough year for the fuzz-pop duo of Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers as they made a mark on the Scottish Album of the Year shortlist with their eponymous debut album, supported the Foos at Murrayfield, and are all set for Hogmanay with the Concert in the Gardens. (BD)