A JOHNSTONE teenager whose fledgling music career has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic is urging people to rally behind local performers when live gigs eventually return.

Singer-songwriter Zoe Tait, 18, was looking forward to some of the biggest gigs of her life this year after breaking into Renfrewshire’s music scene, having played regularly at Paisley venues such as The Bungalow and The Old Swan Inn.

After making festival appearances in Linlithgow for the past two years at Party at the Palace, the former Johnstone High pupil was moved up a stage for its sister show – Party at the Park – in Perth this year, while the main stage was waiting for her at the up-and-coming K-Fest in Kilmarnock.

And with support spots lined up for blues bands in a tour around Glasgow and slots at iconic venues in the city such as The Ferry, Zoe felt as if she was well on the road to achieving her dream of being a chart-topper.

But as mass gatherings were banned and venues shut their doors, her schedule was wiped out and she was left wondering when she would get the chance to do the thing she loves most again.

“When I started taking into consideration the effect it was going to have on my gigging life, it was very surreal,” said Zoe, who is also studying primary teaching at the University of Glasgow.

“I think it hit home how seriously the virus is going to affect the music industry when I was seeing pubs I used to play in all closing up and when I was seeing gigs getting cancelled all over Facebook.

“I was totally gutted about it. I had loads of gigs lined up. Live music is what I’m all about and I get such a buzz from being on stage and having an audience. Knowing I’m not going to be able to do that for a long time, I was just thinking ‘what am I going to do?’

“I don’t do much online because I just don’t get the same enjoyment out of it.”

The majority of pubs have now reopened their doors as infection rates continue to fall but the future still looks shaky for live gigs, with venues being advised against allowing singing to prevent further spread and a ban on mass gatherings still in place.

However, Zoe still thinks she can achieve her ambitions and has urged people to support musicians looking for their big break when gigs do make a comeback.

“It’s a really unpredictable time but I do have full belief that live music will return,” she said.

“I’ve been grafting away with my music since the age of 15 and I just love what I do, so once I can get back, I’m just going to continue to make a path for myself.

“Behind the scenes, I’m getting my new music sorted and I’m still pursuing the dream.

“I have actually got some light out of a dark time because it’s given me the chance to just write.

“Hopefully this situation will give people who enjoy music a wee bit of a boost to maybe go and see some live artists once the doors open again.

“I hope people won’t be too scared and I hope they will come and enjoy it. We will need something to celebrate after all this.”

Zoe is currently preparing for the release of her new single ‘Why?,’ which will be available on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play on August 8.

She can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zoetaittheladybugg and on Instagram via the handle theladybugg_zoetait.