TWENTY-FIVE years ago today the Manic Street Preachers and Ocean Colour Scene played back-to-back gigs in Inverclyde – and a top music promoter reckons the big-time bill will never be beaten.

Local music fans might be surprised to learn that a quarter of a century has passed since the Manics played Gourock’s Bay Hotel on Friday March 8, 1991 followed by OCS the next night at Toledo Junction in Greenock.

Since then top names such as Morrissey, Ian Brown, Babyshambles and The View have all played locally.

But Gourock music promoter Dave McGeachan believes it will take a lot to top the weekend he brought a then-little-known Welsh act to his hometown.

The Manics show was a complete sell-out with over 300 revellers packed into the popular venue, demolished several years ago.

The following night Greenock DJ and promoter Andrew ‘McD’ McDermid booked OCS at Toledo Junction.

Dave, who nowadays works for events company DF Concerts, said: “It will shock a lot of folk that it’s been 25 years since the Manics and OCS played Inverclyde.

“We’ve got The View coming up again and Morrissey played the town hall a few years ago but the Manics playing the Bay Hotel is still one of the biggest bands to have played in Inverclyde.

“A lot of people won’t be aware they played at what’s now that car park next to the train station.

“The Bay Hotel was a place that meant so much to people, especially folk my age.

“It was an incredible gig and the band still talk about it.”

The following night local music fans also turned out in their droves to see OCS.

McD said: “I remember we had a queue round the corner.

“It just shows how happening Greenock and Gourock was at the time.”

Dave first saw the Manics when they made a brief TV appearance.

He became hooked on their single ‘Motown Junk’, which he immediately went out and bought to play during his local DJ sets.

He then set about getting in touch with their agent and managed to book them to come to Gourock, which was their first sell-out show and featured late guitarist Richey Edwards, who later disappeared in 1995.

Dave, who’s currently promoting The View’s Greenock Town Hall date next month, said: “It was a crazy night.

“It was their first ever sell-out gig and they loved it – it was quite riotous.

“They dedicated Motown Junk to me that night.

“Richie was still there at the time and signed the record.

“I remember I actually sent a message to the band’s James Bradfield when the Bay Hotel was closing - he was nearly travelling up to see it before it got knocked down but had other commitments at the time.

Do you have any pictures of the Manic Street Preachers or OCS gigs?

Email them to entertainments@greenocktelegraph.co.uk