Not much to write about this week. At this time of year every venue usually puts on extra gigs and party nights to take you through the bells. The town should be full of live music and throngs of revellers in the streets ready to have fun. The Bungalow have cancelled all their gigs and it looks like things will be back soon but in this climate it’s difficult to tell. One metre distancing, all seated, and table service has made it impossible to operate a pub or venue and those that can stay open. It’ll be a struggle to make it work.
It looked like The Old Swan was having to fully cancel their New Year Party but a bit of moving and shaking by Jac McCaig the owner it looks like it is now two parties instead of one. I spoke to Jac and here is what she said “Good news our NYE gigs are going ahead. Firstly, I’d just like to apologise for having to refund everyone’s NYE tickets it was the only way as we had sold 180 tickets and as from 27th December the capacity will be reduced down to 79, secondly, I’d just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who told me to keep their NY ticket money for the staff that was so so kind,
I now have another plan for NYE but for us not to run it at a loss, we need to split the day into 2 sessions, and we’ve had to up the ticket price. You know this is the musician’s chance to get a bit more money and quite rightly so as they play for next to nothing. So, I’m proposing two sessions
An afternoon with Maria McAveety Music & Lori live at 12-5pm with haggis, neeps & tatties and a half £5 or an evening with The Dead Flowers 5:30pm- 10pm also with haggis, neeps & tatties and a half £8”
She explained to me that this was the only way to come to some compromise and have some sort of celebration. It means that The Old Swan stays open, and the bands don’t lose their gig. If you phone The Old Swan on 0141-562-0908 the staff will issue everyone’s refunds and can sort out new tickets.
The Cave Hogmanay Bash is full booked tonight. Wreckless are the band taking them into the New Year. I know they will play a blinder in their favourite wee venue and the atmosphere will be great. I might just pass by and peer in the window or that might be torturing myself a bit too much. Black Triangles are playing at Kennedys on Sunday from 6pm till whenever they stop.
The Keg have the perfect Neerday hangover cure and a great start to the New Year of 2022 with some light-hearted comedy compered by host Billy Kirkwood. Headlining is the master storyteller and regular headline act of Scottish comedy, Gary Little. There are more acts TBC and it kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets are £10.
It has been a rollercoaster of a year when we were all shut down, then opened, a bit then opened a bit more, then all but shut down again. To be honest I have hated it so much and another year of ups and downs will be torture for people who like me who want to get out and see live music, meet old and new friends and check out new talent. However, I can only look back at some of my best gigs in our Paisley venues of 2021 and here they are:
Wreckless at The Cave, The Dead Flowers at The Old Swan, Proposal at The Anchor, Nightfly at Kennedy’s, Horse at The Bungalow, Johnny Barr’s Open Mic Night at The Keg, Frankly the Smiths at Rocknrollas and Scunnart at CC’s. That’s mine what are yours? I wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope it is better than this one.