Soul legend Geno to headline Lossie bridge gig
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
UK SOUL legends will headline a "hand clappin, foot stompin" gig this autumn to lift the Lossiemouth community's East Beach bridge appeal.
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band have confirmed they will take centre stage at Moray's Got Soul on Saturday, October 19.
However, gig-goer hopefuls will need to be quick off the mark to snap up one of the only 250 tickets when they go on sale on Friday, August 30.
Organiser Andy Macdonald, of YBD Music, is keen for local bands to play as support acts on the night and has secured two of Moray's biggest names – The Roov and Edgar Road – to share the stage alongside the soul king.
Geno Washington has a reputation as an energetic live performer. The band have had Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix as their support after establishing themselves as one of the most exciting live bands in 1960s Britain.
In 1980 Dexy's Midnight Runners had a worldwide hit with "Geno", which paid homage to the man himself.
Mr Macdonald has a knack for bringing big-name acts northwards. His north of Scotland debut event, Moray’s Dancing in the Moonlight, brought British rock band Toploader to Lossiemouth Town Hall in April this year. The event sold out in under two hours.
Proceeds from Moray's Got Soul will boost the coffers for the community's efforts to see Lossiemouth's East Beach crossing rebuilt, which will cost at least £500,000. A raffle and merchandise for sale on the night will add to the total.
Mr Macdonald, originally from Lossiemouth and whose dad still lives in the town, said he felt compelled to help efforts to restore access to the East Beach after the bridge was deemed unsafe earlier this summer.
He said: "There isn't any other beach like it and it's such a shame no one can access it.
"Lossiemouth beach is where I used to train for the Highland Games and it’s where we used to frequently walk the dog, and we know how much the Lossiemouth bridge means to Moray.
"Any way we can help we will, and hopefully raising more money and awareness for the bridge can only speed up the process."
Mr Macdonald has kept the opening slot available for a local band. He added: "With the up-and-coming events I’m planning for Moray, I will always be looking for local talent to perform on the bills."
A crowdfunder appeal to raise money for a full structural survey of the 100-year-old bridge is sitting at £16,265.
The local support bands are excited to be playing alongside a legend.
Lossiemouth band The Roov released their most recent single "Vanilla" on June 28.
They said: "Since performing at Toploader we’ve had packed-out shows in Elgin, Burghead and Hopeman, headline and support gigs in the central belt, a packed gig at Belladrum that was heralded as one of the best sets of the whole weekend, and much more to come in the next few months.
"We cannot wait to perform at Moray's Got Soul."
Edgar Road will perform their newest release – which is a celebration of their home town of Elgin – on the night.
The single "Everything has Changed" was released on August 16 with a bang. In one night their follower numbers swelled from several thousand to tens of thousands.
They said: "We are extremely excited to be performing our new release at Moray's Got Soul fundraiser event."
Tickets, costing £25, will go on sale at 5pm on Friday, August 30. They are available from Miele’s ice cream shop in Lossiemouth or www.facebook.com/YBDMusic.
C&R Taxis Elgin is providing transport and is running a competition to win VIP tickets on its social media page. Other local businesses are being urged to get in touch to offer prizes for the draw in return for VIP tickets. Mr Macdonald can be contacted via www.facebook.com/ybdmusic.
