Paisley’s Spree festival is to feature a one-off collaboration between Frightened Rabbit and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Paisley Abbey.

The festival of music, comedy, theatre and more – which takes place from 13 – 22 October – is now in its sixth year and is part of Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021.

Frightened Rabbit will be the latest Scottish act to team up with the orchestra in within the walls of the 850-year-old Abbey on 17 October.

Elsewhere, a specially-erected Spiegeltent in the town centre will host folk legend Dougie MacLean and Canada’s De Temps Antan (18 Oct), Breabach, Kris Drever and Talisk (20 Oct), plus Sharon Shannon and Fara (15 Oct).

And Paisley Arts Centre will host Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert (15 Oct) and a Lost Map label showcase curated by The Pictish Trail (22 Oct).

The opening night show will see three Scottish acts – Ross Ainslie, Blue Rose Code and Angus Lyon – collaborate with Indian visitors Smita Bellur, Asin Khan Langa and Sawai Khan while James Grant will curate a show celebrating Paisley’s “untold story”, and a “Banks Supper” night will be curated by Alan Bissett, based around Iain Banks’ novel ‘Espedair Street’. Hopefully that will take place in the old Student Union, though details are unclear at present.

More at www.thespree.co.uk