ModStuff is going virtual this year
As you may well know, all Paisley events are cancelled this year.
The Spree – Paisley’s annual arts festival – is one of my favourites.
The event attracts people to the town from all over the country.
It is a fantastic mix of local artists and international acts.
It is a festival that has something for everyone.
The central hub of the event is at County Square in the spectacular spiegeltent.
In previous years, Mods have taken over Paisley town centre on the second week of October for ModStuff, a wellestablished date in the calendar and part of The Spree Festival.
ModStuff features everything 60s, including the music, fashion and, of course, the scooters.
Part of this popular event and probably a highlight for many is the Paisley Vespa Club ride out.
The club’s John McMahon has been in charge of organising hundreds of scooter drivers from across the UK to come to the town for the famous ride out.
Many of the riders park up in County Square to show off their scooters and let people get close to them. Over the years, as well as the ride out, there is live music inside the spiegeltent during the day and, in the evening, a host of well-established soul and 60s bands take to the stage for a night to remember. Sadly, it is cancelled this year. Or is it?
Gary Kerr, from LNP Promotions, said: “This would have been the eighth year of ModStuff. It’s great we’ve been able to do this for the town and community organisations.
“It is a fixture in the calendar that I look forward to every year.
“We came up with the concept when the Mòd – the Scottish Gaelic festival – was coming to Paisley years ago.
“ModStuff is about bringing 60s music and influences to a setting like the town centre.
“I was thinking of a way we could have a type of ModStuff this year and, among all the covid restrictions, it looked virtually impossible until I had a chat with Alan McEwan of The Bungalow and he came up with the idea of live streaming music direct from the stage of the venue.
The date for the live stream is set for October 17 and will go out in the evening.
Among the bands taking part are The Absolute Jam. This band captures the authentic raw energy and sound of The Jam’s early punk roots in addition to playing a full range of songs from The Jam’s back catalogue.
With two members of the band formerly of The Underground Jam tribute band, they continue to possess the same uncanny sound and vibrancy of the original band while bringing a fresh lineup to the band’s personnel.
Playing everything from In The City, Going Underground, Town Called Malice, Eton Rifles and The Modern World to some album tracks and B sides, they are guaranteed to please both the avid Jam fan, as well as those only familiar with the hits. This is one show you do not want to miss.
Parliament of Owls is also on the bill This popular three-piece has played at numerous fundraisers and always go down well.
The band are heavily influenced by the 60s, particularly bands like The Beatles, Small Faces and the Who.
However, there is definitely a punk and mod revival element to their sound too.
Drummer and singer Ewan Eadie describes his band as: “Just three guys playing songs that we like, from The Who to the Pistols, The Jam to The Clash, Buzzcocks to The Purple Hearts.”
Best of all, the event will raise funds for Marie Curie.
Check out The Bungalow Facebook page to find out more.