Paolo to play charity gig in Paisley Abbey to help town’s culture bid

Paolo Nutini is to perform a huge charity concert in his home town’s historic abbey to help its bid to become the UK’S next culture capital.

Syrian refugees will be among the beneficiaries of the show in Paisley Abbey in October, which will be part of the annual Spree festival.

Nutini has revealed plans for the concert on 20 October after throwing his weight behind Paisley’s bid in November when he recorded a special video message.

Paisley is up against Perth in the race to be named UK City of Culture in 2021. A short- 0 Paolo Nutini is backing his hometown bid for honour list is due to be announced in the summer and a winner unveiled in December in Hull, when its reign – which expected to be worth £60 million to its economy – draws to a close.

Around 100 tickets for Nutini’s 550-capacity show will be made available to community groups throughout Renfrewshire. All proceeds from the show will go directly to five local charities selected by Nutini himself – The Love Street Singers, Mirren Park School, the Kibble Band, the Sunshine Recovery Cafe and some of the town’s Syrian refugee children.

Nutini said: “I’ve always wanted to play in the abbey since I was a wee boy. I’m proud to be a part of the Spree, I’m proud to be from Paisley, love is music and music is home.”

Tickets for the abbey gig go on sale via a ballot on Friday.