ZIGGY’S FINDS … ITS PERFECT ZIGGY!
“Probably the best, most supportive and fun-loving crowd I’ve played for. The reaction and feedback from Ziggy’s customers has been incredible and I’m happy to give St Andrews an injection of fresh, good quality live music.”
These are the words of singer/songwriter Jamie Button aka Ziggy Stardust, who has already made quite a name for himself, performing at Ziggy’s Bar & Grill in St Andrews, a popular haunt for any Edinburgh day tripper on a visit to the Kingdom of Fife!
Currently a student at Dundee University, where he is studying for a Creative Writing Degree, Jamie, who is originally from Hamilton, has been playing in front of live audiences for the past thirteen years. Having started out as a busker in Glasgow, he went on to play with a number of different bands, and as a solo artist, supporting acts such as The Fratellis, Shed Seven, Catfish & the Bottlemen, and Pigeon Detectives. He has had his own sell out headline shows at King Tuts and the Cavern Club in Liverpool, as well as festival appearances.
As well as performing Bowie songs, Jamie writes and performs his own music, which has been featured many times on national radio.
He describes coming across Ziggy’s Bar & Grill – his “perfect match” venue – almost by accident, having been in St Andrews handing out business cards.
“I saw the guitar and lightning flash of Ziggy’s in the distance. Walking into the restaurant and seeing the David Bowie, Beatles and Jam memorabilia all over the walls, I instantly thought we would be a match made in heaven as those artists are my musical heroes, not only influencing my songwriting but are the artists whose cover versions I perform!” said Jamie.
“Having handed in a business card, it took only fifteen minutes for owner Phil to check me out on YouTube and Facebook, like what he had seen and heard, and to call me about a trial night.”
Phil Wishart, who has run Ziggy’s with his wife Annie for nearly thirty five years – the anniversary is coming up in November of this year – explains that meeting Jamie has come at exactly the right time as Ziggy’s looks to become better known for not only its food offering, but for its regular live music.
“We had been looking for a live act for a wee while and had not quite found the right fit for us,” said Phil. “We love offering great food and drink and have been doing it for thirty five years – we’re proud to still be here in St Andrews, after all this time, especially with all the competition from various chains over the years. We have wanted to build up our live music scene for a while – we think St Andrews could definitely do with more live acts – so coming across Jamie has been a godsend. He is a fantastic performer, not just as a Bowie tribute artist but as an all round entertainer with a large repertoire – a very self assured and professional singer.”
“Music is a passion for Annie and myself,” added Phil, “People come to Ziggy’s as much for the memorabilia we have displayed here, and the general vibe, as for the menu. We love to see our customers happy and entertained, it fits our brief with a place like this. We have now got Jamie performing on a Friday night and are making this a regular arrangement – St Andrews is in for a treat.”
Jamie, who inherited his love of David Bowie from him father, whom he describes as “the biggest fan ever” said : “I can’t thank Phil and Annie enough for being so welcoming and supportive. This makes me feel relaxed and perform to the very best of my ability. The Friday nights are going so well, playing to a full house and a very appreciative audience. The last hour or so of the night’s performance almost always sees everyone up singing and quite literally dancing on the tables, encouraged in no small part by Annie who loves to get everyone in the party spirit!
“I have no doubt that together we can build up the reputation of Ziggy’s as the number one live music destination in St Andrews.”
Jamie has been in the recording studio recently and will be releasing a new batch of songs in the near future.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
