Free live gig coming to Gabriels in Paisley this weekend

Emerging Scottish artists will take to the stage on Saturday, August 15, at Gabriels from 5pm to 11pm, as part of Belhaven Pubs’ grassroots competition, Belhaven Untapped.

The event forms part of the wider Live at Your Local campaign, supported by Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola, and aims to bring live music back to pubs and communities across Scotland.

Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Belhaven Pubs, said: "Live music has an incredible way of bringing people together while introducing us to artists we may never have discovered otherwise.

"Belhaven Untapped is all about celebrating local talent and giving communities the opportunity to enjoy great live music in their local pub, completely free of charge.

"We hope people will come along, support emerging artists and discover their next favourite act."

The competition gives up-and-coming musicians the opportunity to perform live, connect with new audiences and potentially advance to the Scottish final on Friday, August 28.

This final will see artists from across the country compete for a £5000 cash prize and a place in the Greene King Untapped UK final in London this September.

The UK final promises even greater rewards, including £10,000 cash, a studio recording session, a performance slot at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2026 and a mentoring session with McFly star Danny Jones.

Jones will also serve as a judge at the national final in London, helping to select the UK’s next breakthrough act.

The campaign comes as new research by Belhaven Pubs highlights a shift in music consumption habits across Scotland.

The study found that Scots are listening to more music than ever – more than four million hours a week – and nearly two-thirds (65%) of that listening is done alone.

It also found that the average Scot tends to repeat the same seven favourite songs and five favourite artists, rather than seeking out new music.

However, the research also shows that live music is a powerful way to break this cycle.

People who regularly attend gigs discover four times more new artists than those who do not, and 33% of respondents say live music helps them create stronger memories.

Additional findings reveal that 31% feel more present during live performances, and 32% say it improves their mood more than listening at home.

Belhaven Untapped aims to address this trend by bringing live music directly to communities, supporting emerging talent and encouraging audiences to reconnect with the shared experience of live performance.

The campaign also supports the Music Venue Trust through a partnership with Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola.

For every Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola sold during the events, 10p will be donated to the trust to fund community projects and support venues that nurture new talent across the UK.

Free gigs are taking place throughout the country as part of the scheme, with more than 130 acts and 25 live performances scheduled across Scotland alone.

In addition to Paisley, events will be held in Glasgow city centre and Woodlands tonight, offering audiences multiple opportunities to enjoy live music and support new artists.

Music fans can find their nearest event by visiting the Belhaven or Greene King websites.

The events are part of a broader effort to revive the live music scene, support grassroots talent and bring communities together through the power of music.

As Belhaven Untapped gets underway, organisers hope the public will turn out in force to celebrate fresh talent and rediscover the magic of live performance.