New venue aims to showbase bands

Jul 1 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A PERTH entrepreneur yesterday offered bands the chance to display their talents in a new, soon-to-open music venue.

John Buchan, proprietor of Brennans Bar in the Fair City’s St John Street, is inviting hopefuls and established acts alike to convince him they’re worthy of a slot at ‘the Late Lounge’, which is due to open later this month.

With work on his Watergate project nearing completion, John told Music Scene he wants musicians to submit demos with a view to playing in the converted first-floor nightclub.

“There’s already been a fair amount of interest and we would encourage anyone who’s interested,” said the pub boss yesterday.

“It’s a Thursday night I’m trying to get something started.

“We’re doing some work upstairs on what was once the old Windsor nightclub.

“Work has been going on for about six months and we’ve created new toilets and a new seating area.

“Once it’s completed, it should be the perfect venue for live music.

“There’ll be a stage at one end, seating all around and a fairly sizeable dance floor.”

One of the first acts due to perform in the new venue will be Perth-based Americana outfit Southpaw, on July 19.

Other local favourites in the pipeline include Wang Dang Delta and The Dave Amos Trio.

DJ sets are also planned, initially on one Friday every month.

On a different tack altogether, lovers of Scottish traditional sounds will be delighted to learn that world-famous piper Fred Morrison is booked to play the venue on November 7.

Meanwhile, any bands interested in performing at the Late Lounge, which is next door to Brennans Little Brother in Watergate, should contact John or Lisa on 01738 623967.