Kilmarnock music fan aims for Scottish Alternative Music awards

Feb 5 2010

MUSIC student Richy Muirhead hasn’t wasted any time since his triumphant return from his MTV Fan Walker duties in Germany in November.

The 20-year-old, from Carron Avenue, Kilmarnock, was one of 100 music-mad young people who walked the 300km from Hamburg to Berlin for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

But with that behind him energetic Richy has a new goal – to make this month’s Scottish Alternative Music awards a rip-roaring success.

Richy is event manager and booking agent for the awards, which feature several local bands on the nominations list.

He said on Tuesday: “The project will take the form of a special show in Glasgow with live performances from Scottish artists with an awards ceremony hosted by stand-up comedian Billy Kirkwood.

“The idea is to bring everyone in Scotland together to appreciate the Scottish music scene.

“My involvement with the event is part of my BA Commercial Music creative project which I have currently funded off my student loan. It’s something I am very passionate about.”

Almost 100 tickets have already been sold, and Richy is aiming for a 250-ticket sell-out for the event which takes place on Wednesday, February 24 at the Classic Grand in Glasgow.

Voting has been launched on www.myspace.com/scottishalternativemusic.

Said Richy: “Since launching the website in mid-January I’ve had over 3000 votes and 21,000 hits. I have also been interviewed for national and local radio stations featured in various newspapers covering places where nominated bands are trying to gain more votes.”

Tickets (£8) for the awards (over-14s only) are on sale now via Ticket Scotland both in-store and online.

Featuring live performances from Make Sparks, This Familiar Smile, The Lafontaines and Bronto Skylift, there are numerous nominees in various categories.

They include Kilmarnock band Energy and Ayr outfit This Familiar Smile in the best rock/alternative section; Stewarton’s Expanding Demands for best live act; Cumnock’s Promised Only Lies for best metal band; and As Darkness Falls, a Kilmarnock band, in the best newcomers category.

Checkout the website atwww.myspace.com/scottishalternativemusic and buy tickets at www.tickets-scotland.com.