THE Ardrossan Music Experience for 2017 is set to be bigger and better than ever before after it was revealed they have received almost £100,000 in funding.

The popular event, which is now in its SIXTH year, is set to be spread out across the whole year with events on the go throughout the local area.

And with the funding to the tune of £98,950 from Our Place, AME will be rocking up at a venue near you soon.

Plans are in place for a four-day spectacular in the town in June as well as songwriting masterclasses in the build up to the launch.

There will also be a school band competition, special events in nursing homes across the Three Towns and a ‘Sound on the sand’ spectacular which will see a huge live music extravaganza on Ardrossan’s prom.

Peter McNamara, Local Councillor and AME organiser said: “We have to thank Our Place and Suzanne, John and Paul. The music experience is all about helping Ardrossan to live, grow and develop. We have a school bands competition, gigs with the North Ayrshire Foodbank and we are keen to bring music into the community at venues such as the Whitlees Centre and Ardrossan Outdoor Bowling Club.”

The gigs in association with the Foodbank will be unique as there will be no charge for these. People attending will instead be asked to bring a bag of tins to donate to the local charity, which is based in the town’s Glasgow Street.

Gordon McNeil, singer with Sonny Daze and the Restless Knights and organiser of the AME said: “We are using music as a vehicle to change attitudes. Going into the nursing homes will be using music to stimulate memories and after a trial we are hoping to extend it into all the nursing homes in the Three Towns.”

All the bands are now on the event’s website for the June weekend with prices remaining at £15 for each day and £25 for the two days as the Wedenesday and Thursday events are free.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “The Ardrossan Music Experience will use the power of music to bring people together in their community. This Our Place grant will enable them to provide a range of activities from music therapy sessions through to community concerts, so that everyone who lives locally can get involved in some way. I am delighted to see another community led project in Ardrossan benefiting from this National Lottery funding and I look forward to hearing about, and seeing, the difference it makes over the coming year.”

Songwriting sessions will start on February 21 from 7-9pm and details about the host of events will be posted on their website For full times, dates, acts and ticket information, visit www.ardrossanmusicexperience.com.