Paolo to play Paisley Abbey
Show will support culture title bid
Paisley’s very own musical megastar Paolo Nutini has announced an exclusive one- off homecoming charity show in the stunning surroundings of Paisley Abbey.
The gig will see superstar Paolo backing the town’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid.
The show – on Friday, October 20 – tops the bill for Paisley’s annual Spree festival, and is taking place in support of a number of local good causes.
Paolo and his band will deliver an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to be in the town’s 850- year- old Abbey to see it.
Only a limited number of golddust tickets will be available to the public for the 550-capacity venue.
Fans will be able to register via thespree.co.uk from Friday for a chance to get the option to purchase a pair.
Of the allocation, 100 tickets will be made available to Renfrewshire community groups.
All ticket monies will go directly to five local charities selected by Paolo himself – The Love Street Singers, Mirren Park School, The Kibble Band, the Sunshine Recovery Cafe and some of the town’s Syrian refugee children.
Paolo said: “I’ve always wanted to play in the Abbey since I was a wee boy.
“I’m proud to be a part of The Spree … I’m proud to be from Paisley … love is music and music is home. “Big love people.” Paisley is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021 as part of wider plans to transform the town’s future using its unique cultural and heritage story.
Paolo first publicly showed his backing for the bid in November last year.
He did this with a surprise video message that was broadcast to a delighted crowd of up to 30,000 at the town’s Christmas light switch-on.
In the clip, he said: “I’m backing the bid because Paisley is and always has been my home. I love the town and want to see it grow.
“It’s a town that needs the investment, but it knows what it’s going to do with that investment and I think the potential is really clear.
“I see the romance of the town – when you walk into the centre it’s got a beautiful composition.
“The bid is about building a structure that can tackle the more deep-rooted problems and it’s important we get behind that.”
Bids were submitted to the UK Government in April and a decision on the shortlist for the next stage is due over the summer. The winner will be announced at the end of the year.
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “Paolo’s support has been absolutely instrumental to Paisley’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid and we are utterly thrilled he is playing this gig – it will be spectacular and we cannot wait.
“It is wonderful to see him helping us realise the bid’s aim to open up the benefits of culture to everybody in the town by supporting local charities and communities who face real barriers to accessing world-class cultural experiences.”
The Spree is Paisley’s flagship annual arts festival and takes place over 10 days in October, with Paisley Abbey also hosting a one-off – and now sold-out – collaboration between Frightened Rabbit and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
The full bill is available at thespree.co.uk Tickets for Paolo’s show are £30 each and restricted to two per person.
Ticket sales will be via an online ballot utilising Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan System. The ballot opens at 9am on Friday, June 30 and runs until Thursday, July 6.