HIGH notes will once again be hit in Troon as the town gears up for another star-studded weekend of live music and entertainment as part of its sixth annual Live@Troon festival.

The weekend was a seed of an idea amongst a few friends and has developed into an event which locals, visitors and businesses look forward to every year.

The event takes places between September 4 and 6, and this year has more main events, more pubs and a more diverse range of music ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Chairman Alan Clayton said: “All the volunteers are ready and raring to go and the full line up main events are in place with tickets sales well ahead of plans.

“The two big events in Troon Concert Hall are always an attraction and this year we have a night of Celtic folk/rock to open and its get a bit louder on the Saturday with headliners GUN. The three nights at our Sessions venue include some illustrious acts including JJ Gilmour and The Chaplins with some superb support there too.

“The comedy has this year been moved to Troon Rugby club and Portland Park, home of Troon FC and that’s proving a great success as well.

“In addition we now have about 40 different bands lined up for free gigs across the pubs, the community events are all in place including a bigger and better opening parade down Portland Street on Friday evening, the always popular Troon’s Got Talent with local primary kids performing, and then there’s Strictly on the Sunday” BUILDING A SOUND LEGACY The underlying aim of the musical weekend is to build an all-year round affinity for live music in the town and getting the community involved is critical so as well as the great line up of music events, Live@Troon organises events such as the kids performing at Troon’s Got Talent, workshops at The Marine Hotel and introduced last year the Festival parade with many of the local youngsters opening the weekend on floats and dancing. It kicks off at 6.30pm on the Friday so come out on to the main street and the beach front and show your support.

THE MAIN STAGE Friday, September 4 opens with Donnie Munro and joint headliners Skerryvore.

Following on from the sell-out success of 2014 when bag rockers Red Hot Chilli Pipers blew Troon away, the organisers of this year’s events are looking at another Celtic music sell out on the opening night, September 4, with acts hailing originally from the isles of Skye and Tiree.

On that night a three-act line-up will hit the stage at Troon Concert Hall with joint headliners the Donnie Munro Band and Skerryvore supported by the excellent Amy Baillie.

Tickets priced at £25 have been selling well and boosted by the recent ten year anniversary tour by Skerryvore and a legion of loyal fans of the ex Runrig singer Donnie Munro.

With the night being opened by West Lothian singer songwriter Amy Baillie, who has appeared previously with both bands, Ayrshire is set up for another amazing night of Scottish rock with a fusion of Celtic, folk and country influence.

SATURDAY ROCKS THE line-up for Saturday is perfect for those who like their music a little bit harder and faster. Glasgow legends GUN have been touring their new album this year and will be headlining the night supported by all girl rock band The Amorettes who themselves have been touring this year with The Black Star Riders, Europe and Thunder.

The trio of acts is opened by Huxtable who will show perfectly how a simple set up of drums and guitar and vocals can be used to the full.

COMEDY AT THE CLUBS THIS year two great stand up shows are going out to Troon’s two biggest sporting clubs with an evening of mirth at Marr Rugby on the Friday followed by more laughs at Troon Juniors on Saturday. Tickets for each event are priced at £12.50 and there are few still available from the clubs themselves or online.

Space is limited at both venues however it will ensure a great atmosphere with top comedians such as Scott Gibson, Des McLean and local compere for both nights Billy Kirkwood. Watch out around the pubs too as you may just catch a 10-minute slot from some of the comedians.

SOUTH BEACH SESSIONS THE beach tent has this year been replaced by the great wee venue at the South Beach Hotel with three nights of live music. Friday opens with a blues rock tribute double header featuring Rory Gallagher in the playing of Sinnerboy and the sounds of The Quo from Backwater.

Saturday features the wonderfully charismatic and multi-talented JJ Gilmour with his band. The ex-Silencers front man will be on stage with support from the truly memorable Ashton Lane and duet Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.

The weekend is signed off by the welcome return of The Chaplins. The three piece who supported Eddi Reader last year have just finished their first album due for release later in the year and another wonderful performance of their own brand of country, folk, and Americana, which will finish Live@Troon off on another high. The Chaplins will be supported by local singer songwriter Alan Frew and his band and the enigmatic Kittlinclapperdin with their unique poetic interpretations and classical influences.

And the Fringe... ITR wouldn’t be Live@Troon if you didn’t walk into a host of pubs to find the best of Ayrshire’s live music talent in a corner. The pubs may never have been designed for live performances but that does not stop audiences and bands alike feeding off the atmosphere.

There’s a range of music on across a number of official venues – look out for the Official Venue Banners and please support them. Fullartons, Girvans, Harbour Bar, Cheek Charlies, Lido and Scotts have all committed their venues to entertain and we’d ask you to visit them. From acoustic acts, duets, traditional music to heavy metal you’ll find a venue to suit your tastes in sounds.

Acts will be flagged up throughout the weekend on the event Facebook page and the mobile version of the website.

Seagate Church will be hosting their own Full Throttle event on the Saturday afternoon with free entry and a great line up of Christian bands and artistes lined up.

And if the sun’s shining over the weekend - as it undoubtedly will - keep an eye and an ear open for roaming musicians with busking spots at the beachfront kiosk and the centre of town.

STRICTLY SUNDAY Strictly Sunday proves to be one of the most popular events year after year with the big band sound of Dave Anderson with the vocal talents of Eddie Toal providing the background to some wonderful moves on the dance floor.

It seems to fit perfectly into the backdrop of Troon Concert Hall transporting the dancers back in time. It takes place from 1pm on Sunday, September 6, and tickets are available online and from The Gaiety for £10 or can be purchased on the day.

Tickets TICKETS for all events can still be bought online at www.liveattroon.com at the Gaiety Theatre or why not pop into the Old Troon Church coffee mornings on Saturdays where you can buy tickets for all Live@Troon events right up until September 5.

Keep in touch with all venues, events and band profiles at www.liveattroon.com. Event details will be updated regularly before and during the weekend.