The town has got its mojo back
So, 2018 came and went after Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture. What are we left with and what have we got to look forward to?
Probably the one thing that sticks out for me was a general increase in confidence and civic pride. Certainly things took a dip last year but after the hangover period when we lost out, things are starting to move forward again.
The town hall is undergoing a
£22 million renovation, while a £42 million investment in the museum will deliver a world class visitor destination. There are also plans for a new state of the art library and cultural centre in the High Street.
It was obviously a huge disappointment not to win but we have got to take the positive out of our journey. There’s a definite attempt to market Paisley as a visitor location and it seems to be working.
Part of that will be the new refurbished Bungalow which will play its part in attracting people back into the town.
Back to more pressing matters, The Old Swan have The Dangerous Brothers in tonight at 8pm. Tomorrow the music starts early at 4pm and goes on till late because
The Old Swan have put on another double bill starting with Nightfly at 4pm and they are followed by Dead Flowers at 8pm.
The very popular Casual Swans are in their usual slot at 3pm and they will be playing songs from rock, pop and traditional Scottish/Irish favourites.
On Wednesday Crawford Carlyle of Heavy Load will be singing some classic rock in the shape of AC/DC, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and many more.
The Fantastic Four in a row this week at The Cave starts tonight at 9pm with Pepper’s Ghost. In the teatime slot at 6pm is The Lynsey Dolan Band. Lynsey Dolan has played all over the country and has many fans wherever she plays.
Whether it is at a festival, stage gig or even in a wee local bar like The Cave, she always puts in a fantastic performance. Her voice, which can be described as sultry, soulful and smoky, has been compared to Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows.
She continues to build up an appreciative and enthusiastic fanbase after every gig. This is a great opportunity to see one of the best female vocalists about close up and personal. Not to be missed.
To round off the night Thunder Road will be playing at 9pm into late o’clock. On Sunday from 6pm to round off yet again another packed three days is Overdrive.
New band Proposal has hit the ground running with their first few gigs getting great reviews. The boys are at The Anchor on Sunday at 4pm and they will be playing a mixture of pop and rock tunes that we all love. Singer Jane Henderson is at The Afton on Sunday from 4pm.
Open Mic Nights next week are: Tonight with Stevie Johnstone at Hamishes’ Hoose from 8pm, Sunday at The Bungalow with Cat Caldwell from 8pm. Monday 8pm at The Abbey Bar hosted by Dunky Hunter.
Cat Caldwell will be hosting proceedings at The Gantry on Tuesday from 8pm. On Wednesday Johnny Barr is the host for Burger and Keg 8pm. Also on Wednesday Andy Lindsay is at The Patter
Bar from 8pm. Thursday it is Manhattan’s also at 8pm.