Giancarlo Rinaldi
BBC Scotland Information
Getty Pictures
Calvin Harris – whose actual identify is Adam Wiles – grew up in Dumfries
As musical function fashions move, chart-topping DJ Calvin Harris units an attractive prime bar with numerous hits to his credit score.
In his native land of Dumfries, alternatively, he’s thinking about a smaller project as an proprietor of a bit pub which helps the native tune scene to thrive.
He is a part of a bunch referred to as To The Nines which purchased the Trainer and Horses at the Whitesands a few years in the past.
It’s been praised by way of bands, tune organisations and other people operating to restore town centre for the spice up it’s giving to the south of Scotland the city the place the worldwide celebrity grew up.
The Trainer and Horses at the Whitesands in Dumfries has bands taking part in maximum weekends
Hagen Patterson, director of the Dumfries Song Collective (DMC) which objectives to supply musical alternatives to younger other people within the area, stated that they had all the time recognised the Trainer and Horses as an “iconic grassroots tune venue”.
“We’ve got witnessed some nice artistry to come back out of the pub over a few years,” he stated.
He stated it will be offering a “leg up” to native artists and it used to be nice that this type of international big name had helped permit it to take action.
“Acting are living for the primary time, despite the fact that only for a handful of listeners, supplies helpful revel in,” he stated.
“It is a likelihood to take a look at out emblem new subject material, gauge reactions, and construct a neighborhood fan base.
“We’re thrilled that Calvin and Mark have ensured the longevity of the Trainer and Horses, this is helping foster our scene.”
Kissing the Flint
Kissing the Flint carried out on the Trainer and Horses previous this month
Kissing The Flint just lately performed on the pub having began gigging in Dumfries a couple of years in the past having moved from Australia.
The band’s Leah Chynoweth-Tidy stated the website online had briefly received their hearts.
“All of the group of workers are so supportive and inviting, in point of fact love their are living tune and are tremendous proud in their historical, colourful wee venue, which neatly they must be,” she stated.
“It is all the time an unbelievable revel in taking part in there because the target audience are open to any roughly style and are extremely responsive and passionate about our unique tune, which is changing into a rarer factor at the moment in lots of venues.
“The Trainer seems like coming house for us each time we play there, and all who sail in her have grow to be a part of our tune circle of relatives.”
Sandy Robertson
Andy McMillan stated the pub owned by way of Calvin Harris used to be an “superior grass roots venue”
Andy McMillan, frontman with Dumfries three-piece the Dogz, has identical reward.
“The Trainer is an important grassroots venue,” he stated.
“All of the group of workers are keen about are living tune and supporting native bands, whether or not established acts or the ones simply slicing their tooth in entrance of an target audience.
“It is all the time a most sensible gig for us and despite the fact that it is a small venue its contribution to the native tune scene is very large.”
Getty Pictures
Harris performs massive venues now however began out with a lot smaller gigs
Simply alongside the street from the pub, Rab Smith runs the file store Domino Leisure and is a former chairman of town’s shops’ affiliation.
He stated he believed the world may well be on the center of boosting nightlife in Dumfries.
“The entire Whitesands is usually a nice leisure centre,” he stated.
“The outdated vacationer board construction may well be impressive.”
He additionally stated it used to be excellent to peer a neighborhood boy made excellent like Harris striking one thing again into the neighborhood.
“This is a nice wee pub – it’s too small to be a King Tut’s – however it’s nice that someone is striking cash into it and protecting it alive,” he added.
Richie Nicoll
Richie Nicoll chairs Dumfries The town Board having a look at tactics of regenerating town centre
Richie Nicoll chairs the Dumfries The town Board which objectives to spice up regeneration of town centre.
He stated the pub used to be a “true gem” for town.
“It is all the time humming when are living bands carry out, and on sunny days, the crowds spilling onto the pavements upload to the vigorous surroundings,” he stated.
“The truth that the pub is independently owned – and as I have heard with a somewhat well known DJ concerned – somewhat than tied to a brewery, offers it incredible flexibility and a singular attraction for its guests.
“It is for sure one in every of my go-to spots when I am out on the town for a pint.”
