Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 19 October 2021 14:50
The popular music and arts festival, organised by Renfrewshire Council and now in its ninth year, took place from Thursday 7 – Saturday 16 October.
Music fans enjoyed a series of hugely-popular shows from The Twilight Sad, Arab Strap, The Bluebells, The Rezillos, Michael Rother, Nick Lowe, Kathryn Joseph and Retro Video Club.
The Spree was programmed by Regular Music, with this year’s events taking place in the fabulous Salon Perdu Spiegeltent, located in the town’s Bridge Street.
There was lots of fun for families as the Wee Spree programme of kids activities also took place during the school holidays, with youngsters enjoying events from music and circus skills workshops to cinema and comedy.
The Spree is a centrepiece in Renfrewshire Council’s major events calendar, which has made Paisley one of Scotland’s key cultural destinations.
Louisa Mahon, Head of Marketing, Communications and Events at Renfrewshire Council, said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant to welcome back music-lovers to enjoy their favourite acts and musicians at The Spree once again.
“The event was much-missed last year and festival-goers have turned out in their numbers to be part of the bumper 10-day programme. This excitement shows just how much The Spree has grown to become a popular fixture in Scotland’s music festival calendar, attracting great UK and international artists and bringing visitors from across the country to Paisley.”
This year also saw the return of the popular Spree for All fringe festival, which was extended across Renfrewshire to see fantastic gigs in local venues in Renfrew, Houston, Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir, Howwood and Johnstone, as well as a packed programme in Paisley’s Bungalow Bar and many more venues around the town.
Spree for All events were programmed by the team behind local lifestyle and culture magazine Mill Magazine, Tommy McGrory of local music charity Loud ‘n’ Proud and Alan McEwan of Brick Lane Media and Bungalow Enterprises CIC.
Paul Dickson, Mill Magazine director, said: “Renfrewshire has a thriving music scene and it’s been an absolute privilege to place some of the best local talent into great venues across the region and taking the Spree for All to a wider audience.”
Alan McEwan said: “The Spree and Spree for All 2021 was one of uncertainty as to whether or not it would go ahead back in the springtime. Fortunately, we were given the go ahead as restrictions lifted and it was safe to do so. The challenge was to present an exciting programme of events and engage with the public in a short period of time. I think it's fair to say that we really pulled it off, with record numbers visiting 60 events across Paisley's Spree for All venues, funded by Renfrewshire Council's events team. The programme included a wide variety of music genres and comedy events, including the likes of the colourful annual ModStuff, Danny Kyle Night, Comedy with Fred MacAulay, Scott Gibson and talented Youth Events.
“We are super proud of our local scene and this just goes to show what our venues can achieve working together. Providing a platform for our grassroots artists is key to the future success of Paisley's cultural scene. We can't wait until the next event!”
The Spree festival received funding support from Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund, established by EventScotland in conjunction with Scottish Government to help Scotland’s events sector plan and deliver events in response to Covid-19.
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “We were delighted to support The Spree return this year with its exciting line-up of musical performances and arts. The packed programme on offer provided a welcome sense of excitement and enjoyment to both the Paisley community, and those who visited.
“It’s fantastic to see the return of live events across the country, enabling audiences and artists to share their love of performance together in the same place, at the same time, whilst also reinforcing Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”
The next event in Renfrewshire Council’s calendar is Paisley Halloween Festival presents Out of this World, with an illuminated trail of installations and light displays centred on the White Cart river. This will take place across five days from Thursday 28 October – Monday 1 November, with the trail lit up from 5pm-10pm each day to allow spectators to visit at a time that suits them and enjoy it in a safe way.
To find out more visit paisley.is
ACCORD Hospice is pleased to announce the return of its annual art exhibition to The Art Department in Paisley between the 26th of April and 10th May.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREDuring the Easter holidays, hundreds of kids across Renfrewshire have enjoyed free school holiday activity camps.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREThe Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 18th August, 2024.
READ MOREEnvironmentally conscious individuals are being asked to volunteer for a new community taskforce to help protect Renfrewshire's rich riverbank habitats.
READ MOREPaisley's Spring Farmyard Trail is coming to Paisley town centre from Friday the 29th of March until Monday 15th of April.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MORERenfrewshire has honoured local groups and volunteers for their work in the community at the Provost's Community Awards.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREPaisley's Learning and Cultural Hub has won a national award. The new home for Paisley Central Library won the physical category at the EDGE Awards.
READ MOREThe Easter weekend is going to be eggs-tra special at Cardwell Garden Centre this year.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREGroups connected with the refurbishment of Paisley Museum are celebrating today after picking up an honour at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in London.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREDozens of people gathered together for a song and a chat at a Saturday Get-Together event in the Methodist Central Hall, Paisley.
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREThe refurbishment of Paisley Museum has won a prestigious international award, recognising the significant role the project is playing in the town and wider region’s cultural regeneration.
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREMore than one hundred children attended the West of Scotland's Parasport Festival, which took place at On-X Linwood on Monday 4th March.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"