Article Source: Paisley 2021
Last Updated: 2 January 2018 15:54
Paisley’s sixth national flagship festival saw more than 10,000 people attend 60 events related to this year’s event – with homegrown musical megastar Paolo Nutini topping a list of sold-out shows and entertainment.
His triumphant homecoming concert at Paisley Abbey saw 50,000 people apply for just 550 tickets.
Almost 60 per cent of visitors were from Renfrewshire, while more than 30 per cent were from the rest of Scotland.
A further six per cent came from the rest of the UK and overseas.
The 12-day extravaganza, which supported the town’s bid for the UK City of Culture 2021, generated almost 4,500 attendees, with the events themselves drawing in almost 9,000 admissions.
Ticket sales for shows across the Abbey, Spiegeltent, Town Hall and Paisley Arts Centre were 8,337 - an increase of 60% on last year's figure of 5,200.
Comics Tom Urie and Jamie Godley and musicians Dougie MacLean and James Grant, were among the big names to perform, while the festival also included a unique link up between the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Renfrewshire school children.
The Musical Tapestry saw a collaboration between musicians from Scotland and India.
Audiences at the Burger & Keg Live tent and at the Spree for All Festival Club in The Old Swan Inn which ran nightly, are estimated to have topped 1,000.
Around 1,000 more enjoyed the live bands and other street entertainment across the festival.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Last year’s Spree Festival was bigger and better than ever and has been a tremendous boost to the town.
“The line up featured a host of big names, showing it has become an established fixture on Scotland’s events calendar.
“There was also a unique link up between Scotland and Indian with the Musical Tapestry, which celebrated Paisley’s friendship with India through its textile heritage.
“Community groups were able to enjoy the Spree thanks to a tickets initiative while our programme also included a range of free family activities like children’s workshops to give our communities the opportunity to enjoy cultural activity on their doorstep.”
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"