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October 10, 2016
Talented young musicians have all the inspiration they need to perform at the year’s Spree festival taking place in Paisley from 14-22 October.
Linzi Clark with Rikki Kyle and Liz Clark
The festival’s showcase of unsigned talent, the Danny Kyle Open Stage, will return to the programme. Made famous by Celtic Connections, the open stage is a popular platform for unsigned performers and acts to showcase their music, which is broadcast live on Celtic Music Radio.
Last year, young singer-songwriter Linzi Clark, now part of the Paisley 2021 bid team, was a finalist at the show and won the ‘Danny Kyle Award’. And Linzi has now landed a support slot for the Justin Currie show at The Spree on Friday 14 October.
Linzi said: “I really enjoyed playing on the Danny Kyle Open Stage last year. The audience were one of the best crowds I’ve played to and playing in the beautiful Spiegeltent made the atmosphere really special.
“I would really encourage any emerging singer-songwriters to apply to take part as it can lead to some future opportunities. Liz Clark and everyone at Celtic Music Radio’ 95 FM were lovely and made the competition element very relaxed and fun!”
Paisley’s wealth of musical talent – Paolo Nutini and Gerry Rafferty to name but two – is an integral part of the town’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
Paisley’s Brick Lane Studios owner, Alan McEwan, is also looking forward to young talent getting a boost at The Spree.
Alan said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase the many young talented musicians and songwriters Renfrewshire has.
“We have many young people coming to the studio every week and we watch them develop into confident and creative young performers. The Danny Kyle stage is a fantastic platform for these young musicians and songwriters and provides them with an opportunity to experience performing in a professional environment. This is something that Paisley needs and may set a precedent for such events for young people in the future.”
Brick Lane Studios are also supporting young musicians through two projects – Live and Unsigned (Battle of the Bands) and a Paisley 2021 album – which are both benefitting from the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund set up by Renfrewshire Council.
The Danny Kyle Open Stage is a free show that takes place in the Speigeltent at 5pm every weekday of the Spree festival. The best acts from throughout the week will be invited back for the final-night showcase on Friday 21 October.
Acts appearing at The Spree include Admiral Fallow, Donnie Munro, Carol Laula, Treacherous Orchestra, Skerryvore, Craig Hill and Daniel Sloss.
Details of all the shows taking place and a full programme of free festival activities for kids are available at www.thespree.co.uk. Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office on 0300 300 1210; from Paisley Arts Centre; or the InCube Shop at 9b Gilmour Street, Paisley.
