One of the biggest events in Scotland’s cultural calendar, The Spree, is celebrating turning five this year – with a bumper line up of top musical acts, side-splitting comedy, kids entertainment and much more. The nine-day spectacular will see dozens of events take place throughout Paisley between 14th and 22nd October and tickets are available now via www.thespree.co.uk.
This year’s line-up is the festival’s best yet, with musical headliners including Admiral Fallow and Justin Currie. Admiral Fallow kick off the festival with a special opening night performance at the Paisley Town Hall, while former Del Amitri frontman, Justin, will collaborate with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the stunning surroundings of Paisley Abbey.
Music remains at the heart of the festival throughout the week before closing in style with two of the hottest acts on the Scottish traditional circuit, The Treacherous Orchestra and Skerryvore.
The Spree is renowned for hosting some of the biggest names in Scottish comedy and this year is no exception, with headliners Daniel Sloss and Craig Hill set to have the crowds in stitches. The festival will also feature two Best of Scottish Comedy nights, in association with The Stand Comedy Club, in The Spiegeltent, featuring top comics including Mark Nelson and Joe Heenan.
Billy Kirkwood and Bruce Devlin will be keeping the young amused with their kids comedy sketches, alongside a full bill of kids shows throughout the week.
Also known as Paisley’s National Festival, The Spree encourages local performers and venues to sign up and take part. There will be three specially-curated Spree Sessions designed to give the local community a chance to feature on the bill: renowned songwriter James Grant will lead a show featuring youth group Create Paisley, while the RockUs Community Choir will perform in Paisley Town Hall and local Gaelic music group Feis Phaislig will lead a ceilidh trail to The Spiegeltent.
Storytelling workshops devoted to the Gaelic language will also allow children the opportunity to learn and enjoy Scotland’s native language through music, song, literature and drama.
The event is organised by Renfrewshire Council, and Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “We’re thrilled to have The Spree back for its fifth year and what better way to celebrate a birthday than to have a week-long party. The festival is unique in celebrating the amazing music, arts and comedy Scotland has to offer, while also bringing locals and out of towners together to celebrate our exciting and diverse programme of events and Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. Everyone is invited to our party, so grab a ticket now. We can’t wait to see you all in October.”
Notes to editors:
- This year’s Spree festival is supported by Saporito and Birra Moretti.
- The Spree is part of an exciting calendar of events for Renfrewshire that supports Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. Bids for the culture title are expected to be lodged with the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport in spring 2017.
Tickets and info are available from www.thespree.co.uk and from the Box Office on 0300 300 1210.
For more information, contact Wire Media:
Gillian Lamont | gillian@wire-media.co.uk | 0141 648 9610 | 07738 271 568
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