An arts festival which aims to discover the stars of the future will be launched next month.

Anyone with creative talent can take part in the Gathering Voices event, with performances to be held across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

Performers can either showcase their skills through recorded interviews or live on-stage presentations.

The festival is being organised by Creative Renfrewshire, which aims to promote the area’s talented residents on a local, national and international level.

Brendan Moon, who ‘discovered’ Paisley singing sensation Paolo Nutini during his time as a music manager, is festival director.

He said: “Are you the next Gerard Butler or a great musical sensation in the making?

“If that’s the case, Gathering Voices may be your first step towards global success.”

A successful test event for the festival took place in Houston before the Covid pandemic struck.

Billy Kinnear, one of the board members at Creative Renfrewshire, said: “We had a tattoo artist who went on to become a wonderful poet. We were also entertained by some incredible live music.

“I would encourage anybody in the area who is involved in the creative arts to attend.”

The festival kicks off with a showcase at Pulse Radio, in Barrhead, on November 4, before moving to the Erskine Music and Media Centre on November 6.

Next up are events at Mossedge Village, in Linwood, on November 11, Lochbarr Leisure Centre, in Lochwinnoch, on November 13, and the Tannahill Centre, in Paisley, on November 17.

The festival moves on to the Spateston area of Johnstone on November 18, at a venue still to be confirmed, and its next stop is Arkleston Community Centre, in Renfrew, on November 19.

The next venue is Morsecode Management, in Hillington, on November 23, followed by three showcases at Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre on November 24, 25 and 26.

The final three events are in Paisley, at Castelvecchi chip shop on November 30, The Bungalow on December 2 and Paisley Abbey on December 4.

Each of the showcases can also be watched live online via the Creative Renfrewshire website.

For more details, email takepart@morsecode.fans.