The Hashtag Show

The story of Ultimate Buzz continues — and this time, Robert McLean tells the part he's never really told before. In Episode 332 of The Hashtag Show, Scott sits down with Rab McLean for Part 2 of their conversation — moving beyond the glory days of Scotland's rave explosion and into the complicated story of what was happening behind the scenes. Rab talks openly about his relationship with Callum Bright, the transition of Ultimate Buzz from two young guys travelling Scotland as a DJ and MC into one of the biggest names in the scene — and why something he once loved eventually became something he hated. For the first time in this depth, Rab discusses the creative frustrations within Ultimate Buzz, discovering the business happening around him, money and royalties, the DJ tapes being sold without his knowledge, turning down a six-month trip to Australia and ultimately deciding to walk away from something he'd helped build. But this isn't a story about settling old scores. It's about two young men who built something together, became like brothers, made mistakes, fell apart — and never quite got the opportunity to properly put things right. Rab recalls unexpectedly meeting Callum years later and the conversation that followed: an acknowledgement of what had happened, what had gone wrong and even the possibility of getting back into the studio together. It would be the last meaningful conversation they ever had. We also hear how Rab went on to prove himself creatively, releasing two EPs that reached the Top 10 of the Scottish dance charts, the origins of The Deejay Project and why, more than 30 years later, he's still making music with people he considers family. This is the other side of the Ultimate Buzz story. The success. The arguments. The mistakes. The friendship. The fallout. And the question that can never really be answered: What might have happened if Rab and Callum had found their way back to each other? 🎙️ THE HASHTAG SHOW – EPISODE 332 ROBERT McLEAN – PART 2 Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. 🔥 Become a Hashtag Hero and hear every episode in full: patreon.com/thehashtagshow 📲 Follow Scott: Instagram: @bigscottgibson TikTok: @bigscottgibson 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔔 Subscribe 📤 Share #TheHashtagShow #UltimateBuzz #RobertMcLean #ScottishRave #90sRave #ScottishDanceMusic #TheDeejayProject

“We were part of a movement.” This week on The Hashtag Show, Scott sits down with Robert McLean — original member of Ultimate Buzz and now founding member of The Deejay Project. Robert was there when Scotland's rave scene exploded. Packed clubs. The Barrowlands. All-nighters. Tom Wilson. Steppin' Out. Ultra-Sonic. The Rhythmic State. Carl Cox. Vinyl. Sweat. Smoke. Strobes. And thousands of young Scots who had absolutely no idea that the weekends they were living would one day become part of Scottish cultural history. More than 30 years later, Robert looks back at the rise of Ultimate Buzz, the incredible Scottish rave community, being voted Scotland's No.1 DJ, why the DJ was once heard and not seen , and what he makes of today's world of superstar DJs, social media and pre-recorded festival sets. But this isn't just about looking backwards. Robert is still creating. Today he's back in the studio as part of The Deejay Project — because while the clubs, technology and industry may have changed, the love of making music hasn't. 🎙️ ROBERT McLEAN | THE HASHTAG SHOW Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Everyone's welcome. No one is safe.

This week’s episode was supposed to be a brilliant three-hour conversation with Zoe and Kev from Lost Soul Tattoo Collective. It is not. Because Scott has, once again, discovered that owning thousands of pounds worth of podcast equipment does not automatically make you a sound engineer. The cameras were pointing at foreheads. The audio was destroyed. And an entire interview disappeared into the great Hashtag Show technical graveyard. So instead… it’s time for a solo episode. And things get out of hand almost immediately. 🐕 Could drug-sniffing Rottweilers clean up Glasgow? 🍄 The terrifying drug stories we were told growing up 📱 Why social media might be better if nobody could comment, like or DM anyone 📺 Why podcasting was originally invented for people with faces for radio 🍺 Getting older and discovering that a night out now requires a three-day recovery plan 📱 Scott’s increasingly complicated relationship with Apple 🎟️ The explosion of online competition companies — and whether anybody actually wins anything 🎙️ Plus an update on the podcast, upcoming guests and the launch of our ROAD TO 1,000 campaign. The Hashtag Show is currently closing in on 1,000 YouTube subscribers and we need your help to get there. If you enjoy the show, please: ▶️ SUBSCRIBE on YouTube 👍 Like the episode 💬 Leave a comment 📤 Share the show with somebody who might enjoy it And if you want every guest episode in full, uninterrupted and uncensored, become a Hashtag Hero on Patreon. 👉 patreon.com/thehashtagshow 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. Stay hydrated. Stay medicated. Stay opinionated. #TheHashtagShow #ScottGibson #ScottishPodcast #ComedyPodcast #Glasgow #Podcast #ScottishComedy

David Forbes Part 2 | A State of Trance, Hal Stucker & Scottish Rave Stories David Forbes is back — and Part Two goes even deeper. 🎧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 After taking things right back to the beginning in Part One, this week we continue the story of one of Scotland’s most respected DJs and producers. From the nerves of closing A State of Trance to the madness of the Scottish rave scene, Davie opens up about what actually goes into performing at the highest level — preparation, reading a crowd, adapting a set in real time and why, despite decades behind the decks, some gigs can still terrify him. We get into: 🔥 Closing A State of Trance 🎧 Reading a room and what makes a genuinely great DJ 🎛️ Producing and performing almost entirely his own music 💿 Why Davie spent YEARS not playing his own tracks 👤 The brilliantly bizarre story behind Hal Stucker 🏭 Hanger 13 and the Scottish rave scene 📼 Paul Double Vision and the importance of preserving rave history 📵 The incredible modern club nights recreating the 90s — vinyl, VHS, 35mm film and NO phones 🌍 Life travelling the world as a DJ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The new generation of Scottish electronic artists ❤️ The gigs, friendships and memories that still mean the most. And somewhere along the way we accidentally invent Ultra Masonic , the Forbes Rich List , discuss nightclub Rottweilers and pitch several business ideas that should probably never see daylight. Standard Hashtag Show. But underneath the madness is a fascinating conversation about craft, longevity and authenticity . Because after more than three decades in music, Davie Forbes isn't simply living off what he did in the 90s. He's still writing. Still learning. Still touring. Still taking risks. And still obsessed with getting it right. 🎙️ DAVID FORBES — PART TWO Available now on The Hashtag Show . ⚡ The only way to hear BOTH PARTS in their entirety is to become a Hashtag Hero on Patreon. 👉 patreon.com/thehashtagshow Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. #DavidForbes #TheHashtagShow #ScottishRave #ScottishDanceMusic #AStateOfTrance #Trance #90sRave #DJPodcast #GlasgowRave #ScottGibson

David Forbes | From Glasgow’s Mayfair to A State of Trance This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott sits down with one of Scotland’s most respected and enduring DJs and producers — David Forbes . 🎧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 And this time… we actually remembered to record the whole thing. From walking into Glasgow’s legendary Mayfair Club at just 17 years old with a handful of records , to producing music, travelling the world and eventually closing A State of Trance , this is the story of a man who has spent more than three decades completely obsessed with music. 🔥 The early Glasgow rave scene 🎛️ Learning the craft of DJing and production 💿 The records and producers that changed everything 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland’s unique 90s dance music sound 🎧 Why Davie almost walked away from the scene 🎹 Developing his own sound as a producer 🤖 AI, technology and the future of making music 🌎 Touring Asia and performing around the world ⚽ Football, Hampden and the other great obsession in Davie’s life ❤️ Plus stories about Mallorca Lee, Mark Sherry and the friendships built through decades in Scottish dance music. There’s also cheese. Square sausage. Chickens. Eggs. Obviously. What makes this conversation special is that behind the incredible career is still the same thing that started it all — a genuine obsession with music . No masterplan. No chasing fame. No calculated career move. Just a young guy hearing sounds he’d never heard before and thinking: I need to be part of this. More than 30 years later, Davie Forbes is still doing exactly that. 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. ⚡ This monster conversation runs for over THREE HOURS, so we’re splitting it into two parts. PART ONE AVAILABLE NOW. The extended 90-minute version is available exclusively to the Hashtag Heroes on Patreon. 👉 patreon.com/thehashtagshow Subscribe on YouTube and Spotify, share the episode and help us continue telling the stories of the people who built Scotland’s dance music scene. #DavidForbes #DavieForbes #TheHashtagShow #ScottishRave #ScottishDanceMusic #Trance #AStateOfTrance #90sRave #DJPodcast #ScottGibson

This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott sits down with Andy Cocozza , founding member of Scottish rave legends The Rhythmic State . And what a story this is. From two young guys in Livingston experimenting with keyboards and trying to turn the sounds in their heads into music, to creating some of the most recognisable tracks of Scotland's legendary 90s rave scene. Andy takes us right back to the beginning. 🎹 The formation of The Rhythmic State 🔥 The incredible story behind Power People 🧼 How Soap on the Rope came together 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Hangar 13 and Scotland's legendary rave scene 🎧 DJing, reunions and returning to the music ❤️ Mallorca Lee and the friendships created through the scene 🤖 AI, creativity and the future of music 🎬 The unexpected new life of Rhythmic State's music ❤️ And Andy speaks openly about living with MS, losing his hair through alopecia and the positive outlook that has carried him through it all. There are brilliant stories throughout this one — but underneath the rave nostalgia is a conversation about friendship, creativity, getting older and what happens when something you made as a young man becomes part of other people's lives. Andy describes himself and Nick as "a couple of wee lads from Livingston" who didn't really know what they were doing. More than 30 years later, people are still dancing to their records. That says everything. 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. ⚡ The extended episode is available exclusively to the Hashtag Heroes on Patreon. 👉 patreon.com/thehashtagshow If you enjoy the show, please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE. Every one helps us continue growing the podcast. #TheHashtagShow #TheRhythmicState #AndyCocozza #ScottishRave #OldSchoolRave #ScottishDanceMusic #90sRave #SoapOnTheRope #PowerPeople #Podcast

This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott sits down with legendary Scottish music producer Andy Haldane for a fascinating conversation about the music that shaped a generation. From producing Ultrasonic , TTF , and countless Scottish dance classics to working alongside Mallorca Lee, Andy shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most exciting eras in Scottish music. Together they discuss: 🎧 The rise of Scotland's rave scene 🎹 Producing Ultrasonic and the untold story of Bikini State 🎙️ Working with Mallorca Lee and the friendship they shared 🎼 How hit records are really made 🤖 AI and the future of music production 🏙️ Glasgow's changing creative scene 🎤 Creativity, comedy and why the best ideas rarely arrive the way you expect This isn't just a conversation about dance music—it's about creativity, friendship, loss, passion and the obsession required to create something that stands the test of time. If you grew up with Scottish dance music or simply love hearing how great art gets made, you'll love this one. 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. 👇 Support the show and watch every extended episode: patreon.com/thehashtagshow 👍 Like 💬 Comment 📤 Share 🔔 Subscribe #TheHashtagShow #ScottGibson #AndyHaldane #Ultrasonic #MallorcaLee #ScottishDanceMusic #Podcast FULL 2hr Episode available for Heroes only on Patreon www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

Scotland is melting, the World Cup is reaching its conclusion and Gibbo has discovered that neither his body nor his wardrobe was designed for 28-degree heat. This week’s solo episode of The Hashtag Show travels from fat-man summer fashion and painfully expensive restaurant meals to the strange fears forced upon Scottish children in the 1980s. Why were we convinced dog shite would make us blind? Why did every television advert warn us about fishing rods touching electricity pylons? Where have all the albinos gone? And why does Glasgow increasingly feel like a city that has simply been given up on? Scott also looks back on the World Cup, the brilliance of the Tartan Army, FIFA’s apparent love affair with Lionel Messi and why Cristiano Ronaldo remains the true GOAT. ⚽ Expect questionable government initiatives, childhood nostalgia, political frustration, football arguments and the usual collection of completely unhinged tangents. 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe.🔥 Become a Hashtag Hero and hear every episode in full: www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow 📲 Follow Scott: Instagram: @bigscottgibson TikTok: @bigscottgibson 👍 Like the episode 💬 Leave a comment 🔔 Subscribe to the channel 📤 Share it with another council scumbag #TheHashtagShow #ScottGibson #ScottishComedy #ComedyPodcast #Glasgow #WorldCup #Ronaldo #Messi #Scotland

The Governor is back. 👑 For the first time in Hashtag Show history, we welcome back a returning guest as Scottish dance music legend Joe Deacon joins Scott for another completely unfiltered conversation. What begins with terrible flights, airport chaos and the decline of modern life soon takes a trip through Glasgow’s past — from growing up in the Calton, first jobs and family life, to the legendary Metro days, packed buses heading to Saltcoats, Scottish rave culture and a generation that knew how to enjoy the moment without filming every second of it. But this conversation goes much deeper than nostalgia. Scott and Joe talk about family, discipline, father figures, raising children, becoming a grandfather, losing people as you get older, the changing face of Glasgow and the strange realisation that, eventually, you reach a point in life where you no longer have to do things you don’t want to do. Funny, nostalgic, occasionally emotional and completely unpredictable. This is Joe Deacon as you probably haven’t heard him before. 🎙️ The Hashtag Show with Scott Gibson Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. 👉 Watch and listen now. 👉 Follow the podcast on Spotify. 👉 Subscribe on YouTube. 👉 Become a Hashtag Hero on Patreon for the full episode. www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow #TheHashtagShow #JoeDeacon #ScottGibson #ScottishPodcast #Glasgow #ScottishDanceMusic #RaveCulture

🏴 Scotland might be out of the World Cup... but did we actually lose? This week Scott looks back at Scotland's unforgettable time in America, why the Tartan Army completely won over Boston, Steve Clarke stepping down, Peter Murrell heading to prison, surviving Scotland's ridiculous heatwave... and why maybe politicians could learn a thing or two from football fans. Plus... ⚽ The greatest PR Scotland has ever had? 🇺🇸 Boston's incredible letter to the Tartan Army 🔥 Surviving Scotland's "Mediterranean" weather 😂 Fenway Park, stolen Stellas and one unforgettable Scottish football chant ☕ Peter Murrell's new business idea... Convict Coffee. As always... Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. 👍 #TheHashtagShow #ScottGibson #Scotland #TartanArmy #WorldCup #ComedyPodcast #ScottishComedy

The world feels like it's falling apart... but somehow Scotland have managed to cheer up an entire American city. This week Scott talks the G7, social media bans, protests, free speech, men's mental health, and why he thinks everyone needs to calm the hell down. There's also a deep dive into Scotland's World Cup campaign, the Tartan Army's takeover of Boston, why Americans have fallen in love with Scottish football fans, and whether Scotland should launch Operation Saltire and export Scottish pride across the globe. Plus Laura joins the show for a brutally honest discussion about social media, parenting, online toxicity, and why modern life might be driving us all slightly insane. As always, it's chaotic, controversial and completely unqualified. Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. Love, Love, Love. Onwards!

Scotland are heading to the World Cup and for once we're not interested in hearing the usual doom and gloom. This week Scott talks Scotland's chances in America, the proposed World Cup bank holiday, American football fans, and why Scottish supporters are about to drink every bar dry from New York to Miami. There's also a look at the Clackmannanshire village slowly sinking into the ground, why new builds terrify him, and a surprisingly honest conversation about men's mental health. If you're struggling, if someone you know is struggling, or if you've ever found it difficult to explain what's going on in your own head, this episode is for you. Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. 🎙️ Become a Hero: Patreon.com/HashtagShow 🌐 Website: TheHashtagShow.co.uk 📱 Follow Scott: Instagram & TikTok: @BigScottGibson #TheHashtagShow #ScottGibson #ScottishComedy #MensMentalHealth #WorldCup2026 #Scotland

This week it's a solo episode and absolutely nobody is safe. Scott dives into Peter Murrell's guilty plea, the world's most disappointing embezzlement scandal, and the bizarre shopping list that has Scotland asking one very important question: if you're going to steal £400,000, why spend it on a camper van, coffee machines and salt shakers? Elsewhere, Susan Boyle has unveiled a brand new look, rumours of new music are swirling, Scotland is melting in a heatwave it wasn't designed to survive, and World Cup fever is beginning to build. Can Scotland finally get out of a World Cup group? Is Susan Boyle secretly the distraction we all need? And why does every scandal in Scotland somehow end up being a bit embarrassing? Welcome back to The Hashtag Show. Everyone's welcome. No one is safe. www.thehashtagshow.co.uk www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott sits down with Scottish DJ and vinyl obsessive William Daniel for a proper deep dive into music, memories and Glasgow club culture. 🎧 From working in 23rd Precinct , discovering hardcore and rave through tapes passed around school, to playing his first gig at The Metro aged just 16, William shares stories from a life built around records, dance music and the Scottish scene. The conversation also gets into the magic of vinyl, the lost art of record shops, the importance of venues like The Arches , and why Glasgow’s creative soul feels like it’s being stripped away. Expect nostalgia, chaos, call centre trauma, club stories, and a lot of love for the people and places that shaped Scottish dance music. 🪩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. www.thehashtagshow.co.uk www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

It’s election week in Scotland, the country is in full squeaky bum mode, and Scott Gibson has accidentally created a brand-new political movement: The Poseidon Party . 🌊 This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott rants through Scottish politics, the SNP, Reform, fishing wars, oil in the North Sea, why Scotland should invade France and Spain, and why anything that comes from the sea is good for you and me. Naturally, it all spirals into Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, cinema snack smuggling, Michael Jackson, Epstein Island, Andrew the Whatever, and German monks surviving Lent on beer. 🍺🎬 Raw, ridiculous, unfiltered and somehow still making more sense than most political debates. Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. www.thehashtagshow.co.uk www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

The world’s in chaos, diesel prices are rising, Scotland’s heading towards another election, and somehow The Hashtag Show is still here to make sense of none of it. 🌍🔥 This week, Scott Gibson dives into politics, global madness, rising costs, tsunamis, mushrooms, wellies, and the general state of a country that feels like it’s running on fumes. As always, it’s raw, unfiltered, very Scottish, and completely unpredictable. 😂 For full episodes and bonus content, become a Hashtag Hero at patreon.com/thehashtagshow . If you enjoy sharp takes, dark laughs, and a podcast that sounds like a breakdown disguised as entertainment, this one’s for you.🎟️ Live dates:May 9 – StravenMay 16 – East KilbrideTickets: bigscottgibson.co.uk⭐ Become a Hashtag Hero for full episodes and extra content:patreon.com/thehashtagshow👍 Like, comment, subscribe, and share the episode if you enjoy the madness.Love, Love, Love.Onwards!

DJing, techno, vinyl records, the future of music, and the death of club culture… this one goes deep. This week on The Hashtag Show, Scott sits down with Scottish DJ and producer DJ Valhalla (James Boy) for a raw, unfiltered conversation about music, creativity, and building a career from the ground up. From pressing his own vinyl records to running Groove Shack Records, Valhalla shares what it really takes to make it in the underground electronic music scene — no shortcuts, no industry backing, just graft. We get into: *How DJs actually make music (and remix tracks) *The difference between techno, house, and hardcore *Why vinyl is making a comeback *The reality of club culture in the UK right now *The decline of iconic venues like The Arches *AI and the future of music production *Mental health, creativity, and finding your outlet Plus stories from the scene, festival moments, and what it’s like hearing your own track played to thousands of people. ⚡ This is a 2-hour episode — full version available exclusively for Hashtag Heroes on Patreon. 🔊 Guest Bio – DJ ValhallaDJ Valhalla is a Scottish DJ, producer, and founder of Groove Shack Records, known for blending underground techno, house, and acid influences into high-energy, immersive sets. Originally performing under the alias Urban Atmosphere, Valhalla made a deliberate shift in both sound and identity — moving from hardcore and hard dance into a more mature, groove-driven techno style. His name reflects his Norwegian heritage, with “Valhalla” symbolising both mythology and rebirth — a fitting marker for his evolution as an artist. A fully independent creator, Valhalla writes, produces, and releases his own music — even funding and pressing vinyl releases himself. His work has gained recognition from major figures in the scene, including support from internationally renowned DJs, and has been played at major festivals across Europe. Beyond performing, he is building a growing platform through Groove Shack Records and its upcoming sister label Spectrum Series, aiming to support a wide spectrum of electronic music — from techno and house to trance and drum & bass. Driven by passion over profit, Valhalla represents a new wave of DIY artists — creating, releasing, and pushing their work without waiting for permission. 🎟️ LIVE SHOWS – SCOTT GIBSON 🎤 Strathaven – May 9 🎤 East Kilbride – May 16Tickets: 👉 https://www.bigscottgibson.co.uk 🔗 Follow DJ ValhallaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valhalla365 Facebook / TikTok: Valhalla TechnoLabel: https://www.grooveshackrecords.com 🔥 Support the Show If you enjoy the podcast: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔁 Share And become a Hashtag Hero for full episodes, bonus content, and early access. www.thehashtagshow.co.uk www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

Another solo episode and it goes exactly where you’d expect… absolutely everywhere.Scott kicks things off with war talk, diesel prices and a world that feels like it’s falling apart 🌍 before diving into stories about his dad, care homes, panic alarms and why getting old in the UK is chaos 😂There’s a rant on weight loss culture, the madness of things like Weight Watchers, and the reality of trying to actually lose serious weight 🍔➡️🥗 — all told in classic Hashtag Show fashion.Plus:• Why nothing in the country makes sense right now ⛽• The state of politics (and why nobody trusts it) 🏛️• Music debates, including where Thom Yorke ranks among the all-time greats 🎤• And a genuinely brilliant idea that could save Glasgow… the “Changing of the Cone” 🇬🇧Unfiltered, unpredictable and somehow still making sense… this is The Hashtag Show at its most chaotic.Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe.www.thehashtagshow.co.ukwww.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

Scott flies solo for a properly chaotic episode of The Hashtag Show. What starts with a daft musical warm-up quickly spirals into Chuck Norris tributes, mushroom people, Stephen Hawking conspiracy chat, diesel prices, global nonsense, British pubs, rotary phones, and the general feeling that the world has completely lost the plot.It’s one of those episodes where the conversation goes absolutely everywhere and somehow still makes perfect sense in the moment. A wild stream of consciousness on nostalgia, politics, old-school boozers, social media madness, trans scouts, Saturday Night Live, and why modern life feels increasingly disconnected from reality.Unfiltered, absurd, darkly funny and very much one for the heroes.Full Episode only for the Heroes on Patreonwww.thehashtagshow.co.ukwww.patreon.com/thehashtagshow

This week on The Hashtag Show , Scott dives headfirst into another chaotic conversation covering everything from the mysterious Glasgow fire and the infamous vape shop rumours to the strange world of the internet “manosphere”. Along the way we discuss AI music, the state of modern comedy, influencer dating advice that makes absolutely no sense, and why relationships might actually be much simpler than the internet wants you to believe. There’s also a look at the Louis Theroux documentary on manosphere influencers, the strange economics of OnlyFans culture, and the ongoing question: how did Glasgow manage to rebuild cathedrals hundreds of years ago but can’t rebuild a dome today? As always on The Hashtag Show — the conversation goes everywhere. Everyone’s welcome. No one is safe. www.thehashtagshow.co.uk www.patreon.com/thehashtagshow