Vocal backing for culture bid
Music and football fans gathered to voice their support for Paisley’s 2021 UK City of Culture bid at a mass singalong at St Mirren’s stadium.
Families were singing the praises of Paisley band Lemonhaze – who are massive Saints fans – who took to the stage before St Mirren’s home victory over Brechin City.
The event ran the day after Paisley’s bid was submitted to the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Fans were invited to come down ahead of the 3pm match, which saw the Buddies team bag a 2-1 win on their home turf, for the free pre-match gig.
A face painter and the St Mirren drummer also made an appearance at the event, which was not ticketed and was open to all. Coordinator Tommy McGrory, who runs Paisley charity Loud ‘n’ Proud said: “It went very well. It wasn’t the warmest of days but there was a great turn out.
“There were a lot of young kids there, as there was a drive from St Mirren to try and get more young people into the game.
“For many of them it was their first time going to see a match and their first time seeing a live band, which was fantastic.”
Lemonhaze, who supported fellow Paisley boy Paolo Nutini at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party, played their own material from 2pm before switching to St Mirren songs and football chants.
They ended with The Skids number The Saints Are Coming, the song which always heralds the team’s arrival on the pitch.
St Mirren ran a special free ticket offer for the game itself, with local schools able to apply for vouchers allowing entry for up to two adults and 20 children.
The event was run as part of a wider push to use Paisley’s unique heritage and cultural story to transform the whole of the Renfrewshire area.
Tommy added: “The message was to get the St Mirren Fans supporting Paisley for 2021 City of Culture. The club and all of its fans are really getting behind the bid.”
Paisley is the only Scottish location on the shortlist for the UK City of Culture 2021, alongside Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “It was great to see so many families enjoying the music event with fantastic local band Lemonhaze at the Paisley 2021 stadium on Saturday.
“I’m sure St Mirren winning against Brechin City only made the day even more special for fans.
“It came off the back of what was a momentous week for us, with the final stage bid submitted after an amazing musical send-off. I would again like to thank the community for their tremendous support.”