Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Paisley's pubs and venues are making a proper weekend of it, with free soul afternoons, tribute nights, a big-screen Rocky Horror and what might just be the town's biggest dressed-up party.

Here's what's on from Friday 30 October through to Thursday 5 November.

The Bungalow

  • Friday: SHOUT!, one of Paisley's most popular bands, bring 60s pop, Motown and Northern Soul. Free entry, doors 7pm.
  • Saturday afternoon: The Divas Soul Band play classic Motown and soul from Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, The Supremes, The Temptations and The Four Tops. Free entry, doors 1pm.
  • Saturday night: Simple Minded, the Scottish band formed in 2008 and billed as the UK's premier Simple Minds tribute, cover everything from "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and "Alive and Kicking" to early post-punk tracks. Tickets on the door from 7pm.
  • Sunday: Sound Affex, a high-energy three-piece tribute to The Jam and Paul Weller. Free entry, doors 1pm.
  • Wednesday: The Wednesday Club starts at 2pm with singer John Griffith of The Bobby Deans Big Band and the weekly quiz, then an Open Mic run by Sinead Donnelly from 7pm.
  • Thursday: Slow For a Poet, Met After Dark and Cailean McDonald. Tickets on the door from 7pm.

The Old Swan

  • Friday: Ronnie T from 4pm, then The Brian Kelly Band at 8pm.
  • Saturday: Crackerman in the "Shopper's Slot" at 4pm, followed by Ronnie T at 8pm.
  • Sunday: The Sunday Soul Club, 4pm to 8pm.
  • Monday: Crawford Carlyle, one of the best voices around, at 5pm. Free.
  • Tuesday: Lee James at 3pm.
  • Wednesday: Duncan McLellan at 5pm.
  • Thursday: Lee James or Cammy Miller at 5pm on alternate weeks.

The Keg

  • Friday: Graeme Kerr from 9pm.
  • Saturday: Freight Train pull in for a night of live rock.
  • Sunday: Vinyl Hangout Night from 7pm till late.
  • Thursday: A showcase of new and up-and-coming acts playing original material, from 9pm.

Halloween at The Venue

On Saturday The Venue screens the ultimate Halloween film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Dress up or come cosy and do the Time Warp. Doors open at 12pm, with tickets online through Skiddle or on the door.

Later that night The Venue throws an all-out dressed-up Halloween party, with two live sets from local rock band Howlin Radio and 12 spooky cabaret acts from Lux Cabaret and Florence May Carter Events. Tickets on the door from 7pm.

Elsewhere

  • Kennedys: Screaming Velvet on Sunday from 3pm.
  • Sportsters: Rumours on Sunday at 6pm. There's also a new Open Mic on the last Tuesday of each month.

Open mics

  • The Abbey, Monday at 9pm
  • Ugly Duck, Monday at 7pm
  • The Gantry, Tuesday at 9pm
  • Trad Jam at The Anchor, from 8pm

Have a great week, and keep music live.

Photo: Crackerman live at The Old Swan, Paisley (supplied).