PRS for Music has named the latest regional winner of its Back to Live Music Venue Prize. Paisley multi-arts venue The Bungalow has been announced as the winner for Scotland, with plans for the £10,000 prize money to go towards renovating the space and renewing the available backline.
The nationwide competition was launched by PRS for Music to give independent live music venues across the UK the chance to win one of six regional prizes and inject much-needed financial support into venues who are dedicated to improving live music experiences in their local communities. Open to independent live music venues who are not part of a national brand, and whose offering included music prior to pandemic closures, winning venues were determined by a judging panel made up of leading representatives from across the music, arts, and hospitality sectors. Three more UK regional Back to Live Music Venue Prize winners will be announced over the coming months.
An iconic punk venue throughout the 1970s and 80s, The Bungalow welcomed globally recognised names from The Fall to The Damned to Echo and the Bunnymen. Today, The Bungalow is run as a community ownership project to protect its musical legacy, with the majority of staff musicians themselves. Managers Tommy McGrory and Alan McEwan plan to use the prize money to upgrade musicians' experience at the venue, which also hosts educational music business workshops for music creators to encourage ongoing support and development of local talent. Emerging artists and bands are regulars on the line-up.
On winning the prize, Alan McEwan and Tommy McGrory say, 'We can’t express how deeply grateful we are for this award. It is a great privilege that we have been chosen as the winner of the Back to Live Venue Prize in Scotland. It gives our team here at The Bungalow the confidence and motivation to work harder within our community to further develop which is already a fantastic music town. This is such an incredible moment for us and the money will significantly improve our assets which in turn will provide better opportunities both for grassroots and professional artists.'
Andrea Czapary Martin, chief executive officer PRS for Music, says, 'The Bungalow’s music legacy and increasing impact on the local community is so vitally important to the growth of music in the UK. We’re proud to find ways to support local scenes with projects like the Back to Live Music Venue Prize.'
Tony Barton, head of writer relations, PRS for Music, says, 'The punk legacy of The Bungalow is extremely important so their pledge to continue to contribute to Paisley’s local music scene by hosting emerging artists and upgrading their venue and backline is wonderful. Congratulations!'
