A Coatbridge music and comedy group is hitting all the right notes and set to have audiences rolling in the aisles as it brings live shows back to the town followings its summer break.
Not-for-profit collective 50rpm returns this month with a fantastic line up of gigs.
A spokesman for the group told Lanarkshire Live : "50rpm is a community that was set up to bring live music and comedy to Coatbridge.
"It's what happened when a group of music fans decided to do something to keep live music in the area after their beloved local venue, Berits & Brown, was forced to close.
"The venue hosted an amazing array of acts for a small bistro located in the middle of a business park at Eurocentral, with the likes of Glenn Tilbrook, Kiki Dee, Chesney Hawkes, Jon Gomm, Blue Rose Code, Nine Below Zero, Leyland Sklar and JJ Gilmour among the performers.
"The closure of the venue prompted us to see what we could do to keep live music in the area that was affordable and sustainable.
"The idea was to set up a crowd-funded music club that would have 50 members who pay an annual membership and, in return, get entry to the gigs they would put on, with a limited number of public tickets also being available for others who want to attend.
"Fifty members were quickly recruited and 50rpm was born, holding a test gig in November 2019.
"But just as we got started, COVID struck and, with restrictions on live events, we were forced to put everything on hold.
"Thankfully, 50rpm was able to return earlier this year with a reduced schedule, featuring sell-out shows by Boo Hewerdine, John Goldie and Ewan MacFarlane, and has now fully returned with a host of fantastic shows featuring the best up and coming artists as well as more established acts."
Revealing some of the upcoming acts due to take to the stage at the group's new regular venue, The Georgian Hotel, the spokesperson added: "We have a show by Blair Dunlop this Friday [October 7] before My Darling Clementine, blues legend Catfish Keith, Bob Cheevers, Stephen Doster, D.Cullen, Marina Rolink, Ewan MacFarlane (Grim Northern Social and Apollo 440), Richard Jobson (The Skids), Martin Metcalfe (Goodbye Mr MacKenzie), Andy White, Broken Chanter, JJ Gilmour, Starry Skies and many more come to Coatbridge.
"50rpm is proof that people can make a difference to their local communities and we have been approached by organisations across the UK and Europe wanting advice and help in setting up their own community-based music club."
For a full line-up of all of the gigs, and their dates and start times, as well as ticket information, visit here.
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