Hopes high for gigs at Backstage

Live music venue Backstage at the Green Hotel, Kinross is planning its first real gig for September.

Backstage organised a successful crowdfunder campaign bringing in around £20,000 to stay afloat during the winter but it will not be expecting to welcome music fans back inside until September.

Promoter David Mundell has announced that the first gig of 2021 at Backstage will be the Frank O’Hagan Band on September 3.

He said:“Back in 2010 Frank and his band opened the Backstage venue. It was an incredible night. So It was a natural choice to ask Frank to reopen the venue on September 3. It’s a very rare appearance and will be a very popular choice.”

Hot on Frank’s heels is the Neil Young tribute band Heart of Rust on Saturday, September 4.

Then Skinny Molly, big supporters of the Kinross rock venue, perform on Thursday, October 7.

The legendary guitarist Albert Lee has three dates booked at the end of that month, Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1 and

Sunday, October 2.

Live Dead‘69 - with the original pianist from the Grateful Dead, Tom Constanten - come to Kinross on November 8.

Belfast-born newcomer Dom Martin has a gig booked for November 20.

David told Backstage fans about the reopening on social media:“We said we would only reopen when it was safe to do so and we will certainly keep that promise.

“Current activities include PPE within the venue and we will let you have updated details. Improvement on the ventilation is also being discussed which will give everyone confidence on their return to live music here in Kinross.”

He was pleased to reveal that Albert Lee, after a 40-year music career, is the latest Backstage supporter to buy an engraved brick in the fundraising scheme to help keep the COVID-hit music hall’s future secure.

“We still receive numerous requests for the purchase of an engraved brick at Backstage,”he said. “Anyone wanting to purchase one please email us and we will arrange.”