Small venue, big reputation
The Bungalow has changed hands and has also got a new purpose.
Alan McEwan, from Brick Lane, Gary McCaw, of Bianco Nero, and I have taken over the new venture as a Community Interest Company.
The aim is to have a music venue with a social purpose, with all profits going back into the company to support its primary aims and interests.
These are to support grassroots music by giving new, young and up-and-coming bands a platform to play.
The Bungalow is going back to its roots to become the small venue with the big reputation it once had.
We plan to give The Bungalow a new look that has got a definite link with the past.
We thought The Bungalow was doing fine but it occurred to us that - with the history and connection to Paisley - it could be a visitor destination.
It was also very important for us to have a venue that could benefit young musicians.
After all, that is what drives the music industry.
The goal is to make it a much more inclusive venue, catering for all types of music and to eventually open seven days a week.
Tonight we are inviting people to come in and see what has changed and have a chat about our plans.
To entertain you we have Graeme Kerr on at 6pm and, at 8pm, it is Republic of Soul - an eight piece soul band from Glasgow that plays music guaranteed to fill any dance floor. Entry is free.
Dogtooth and Primes have offered to play tomorrow night in place of the original event being cancelled.
The Cave has Gary Barlow tribute act Tony Kay on tonight at 9pm.
Trunk Monkey kicks off at 6pm tomorrow and at 9pm, Best Bad Influence are on stage.
Midnight Moses are playing on Sunday at 6pm.
The Old Swan have The Lockhearts in tonight from 8pm, then tomorrow it is T in The Swan.
On Monday The Casual Swans are back followed by an acoustic session on Wednesday from 6pm.
Local band Blind Panik are on at The Anchor at Sunday from 4pm.
This week’s open mic night sessions look like this – on Monday at 8pm The Abbey Bar will have Dunky Hunter looking after things.
Andy Lyndsay will be at The Anchor Bar on Tuesday at 8pm then at The Patter Bar on Wednesday, also at 8pm.
Cat Caldwell will be playing and helping things along at The Gantry from 8pm on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Johnny Barr will be the host of Burger and Keg open night from 8.30pm and Manhattan’s is Thursday and Sunday from 8pm.
Finally, The Tea Gardens have started an open mic on Sundays at 9pm with Ashley – so check it out.