Rock festival town’s biggest and best!

Aug 25 2009 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

ORGANISERS of the biggest outdoor gig Paisley has ever hosted are promising to rock the town to its very foundations.

The Two Rivers Festival will take place on Saturday, September 5, and is expected to bring hundreds of music lovers into the town centre.

It will be the third time the annual festival has been staged in Paisley and will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.

The event takes its name from the two rivers – the White Cart and the Black Cart – that flow through Paisley.

Tommy McGrory, who runs the Loud ’n’ Proud musical charity in Paisley, is the driving force behind the festival.

And he expects this year’s event to be the best yet.

Tommy told the Paisley Daily Express: “The festival just gets better every time. I am looking forward to what will be a great day out for music fans and the biggest outdoor gig ever held in Paisley.

“There’s a fantastic line-up of acts to entertain the crowd and, most importantly, it’s free.”

Bosses at Rock Radio have announced the station is backing next month’s festival.

The entertainment will get under way at County Square from noon and among the bands performing will be Logan and The Quireboys.

Ciaran O’Toole, station manager at Rock Radio, said: “What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than going to a free outdoor gig?

“We have had great support from Renfrewshire Council and Tommy McGrory at Loud ’n’ Proud to help make this gig happen and show that Paisley can offer something different, entertaining and rocking.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said traditions from the town’s rich musical past are being maintained through the Two Rivers Festival.

He added: “Renfrewshire is renowned for its musical talent and this event helps to showcase a wide range of established and up-and-coming performers.

“The festival is going from strength to strength and the involvement of Rock Radio will raise the profile and encourage even more people to come along and enjoy the music.”

Hundreds of people enjoyed last year’s festival, which boasted a fantastic line-up of acts and was headlined by The Acutones.

Two stages were set up in the town – one in County Square and another at Paisley Arts Centre.

Among others who performed were pop-soul act Cosmo’s Cousin, nu-Jazz funk band Avalon, regular Paisley visitors Republic of Soul and the highly-rated Berry Tweed and the Chasers.