All fright on the night

Scottish indie music heroes Frightened Rabbit, left, are set to headline The Spree with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Paisley Abbey.

The band is the latest in a line of Scottish bands to team up with the orchestra in the 850-year-old abbey and the show has been a highlight of previous festivals.

The Selkirk folk rockers will top a packed bill of live shows which will be staged in venues across the town between October 13 and 22.

Acclaimed songwriter James Grant has put together a show celebrating Paisley’s untold story, while a Banks Supper Night will celebrate Iain Banks’novel Espedair Street, about a rock band from Paisley, featuring award-winning author Alan Bissett.

ModStuff, a celebration of all things Mod run by LNP Promotions – headlined by The Style Councillors, will take over The Spiegeltent on the final Saturday.

Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said:“The Spree festival is the one of the flagship dates on Paisley’s current events calendar and has gone from strength to strength over the years.

“In the year we are bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021 it is fitting the Spree bill manages at once to be outward-looking and internationally-flavoured, yet also unmistakeably Paisley – showcasing the town’s unique story and giving a platform to some of our fantastic local talent.

“The event again shows Paisley’s ability to host large-scale events featuring some of Scotland’s finest talent, and will attract fans from throughout the country to our unique town centre venues.”

Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture is taking place as part of a wider push to transform the town’s future using the town’s unique heritage and cultural story.

The bid was lodged with the UK government in April, with a decision on the shortlist expected over the summer.

Tickets for all shows are available from thespree.co.uk