It’s our local hero
The Bungalow has been putting on some great nights this week as part of Independent Venue Week, which is a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the UK.
Local venues like our own Bungalow give artists their first experience of playing live in front of an audience.
How many of us have seen new bands play at The Bungalow and then turn up in later years as established acts?
Lemonhaze and The Vegan Leather come to mind.
Local small venues are great to get up close to artists that, one day, may well be playing stadiums and festivals.
Emma McKenzie of The Bungalow told me: “Independent Venue Week is like Record Store Day for venues who are not owned by large companies.
“It means an incredible amount, not only to The Bungalow but to all of the venues involved, and highlights our contributions to the UK music industry at a grassroots level.
“The support in the run-up towards and during the week from the IVW organisation, Creative Scotland and Help For Musicians has been amazing – and seeing so many people coming out in support of live music in Independent Venue Week has been great.”
These venues are the backbone of the live music scene in this country and Independent Venue Week wants to recognise all that they have done to create some of the most memorable nights of the past, so they can continue to do the same in the future.
Almost all of the music I see is at a local venue.
I might get to a Hydro-size event once a year – but I like local venues better.
Local venues are the backbone of the live music scene in this country.
It is a breeding ground for new bands, new ideas and young bands learning their trade.
Emmawent on: “The bands who we have performing throughout the week have been really enthusiastic towards getting involved in supporting The Bungalow and we cannot thank them enough for all of their efforts.”
So far this week the line-up has included BMX Bandits, Teen Canteen and Cat Caldwell, The Label, Thula Borah, Static Union and Soul Circus.
Tonight it is The Zips, The Minority Rule and Civil Punk – £3 at the door.
Tomorrow it is Groove with Big Div and Wee And Free and on Sunday it is Frightened Rabbit and Cat Caldwell. As expected, this gig is sold out. At The Old Swan this week there is a bit more than usual going on.
The popular venue has put on a double bill on Saturday.
Starting at 4pm they have Overdrive and then at 8pm Underwood Lane will be playing. Tonight at 8pm it is Sad Ida. Hamish’s Hoose is back with its first live band session tomorrow night in the shape of The Dangerous Brothers. It all kicks off at 9pm. It’s three in a row from The Cave this week . Tonight, Heavy Load play from 9pm, tomorrow also kicks off at 9pm with Ikon, and on Sunday from 6pm they have Skunnered.
The Library have local young punk/pop band FreeSpeech on from 8pm and on Sunday why not chill out and spend the afternoon with Papadeau Jazz Band, who will be playing from 3pm.
Robert McIntosh is back at The Anchor on Sunday performing some soul and Motown classics from 4pm, and at the same time The Tartan Rose have Gerry Doran bashing out some timeless favourites while singing sensation Katy Boyle is at The Afton tonight from 8.30pm.
Open mic nights next week are Monday rom 8pm at The Abbey Bar hosted by Dunky Hunter, Andy Lindsey is at The Anchor on Tuesday from 8pm, Johnny Barr is the host for Burger and Keg from 8pm, The Library open mic is Thursday from 8pm, while The Afton welcomes Alan McKim from 8pm.
If you are interested in Paisley’s open mic scene, check out a new FaceBook page: Paisley Open Mic Nights.
Finally, Glasgow legends Scheme play their first gig in Paisley in nearly 30 years on Saturday and they have chosen CC’s to host it.
What a way to kick off their new season of Saturday Night Live sessions.
Get along to Calum’s Cavern early for this one...it’s gonna be a belter!
Free entry and doors open at 7pm.