Latest news with #Livingston-based
Scotsman
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Our biggest gig as an Oasis tribute band will be playing next door to our icons'
With Oasis set to take over Edinburgh in August, Livingston-based tribute band Definitely Oasis reveal how they feel about playing next door to their heroes when they rock Murrayfield Ice Arena at pre-gig events. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It feels a bit surreal to be playing next door to our heroes at Murrayfield Ice Arena. When we got the email to tell us, it was just amazing. I'd never even thought about playing there. The fact that it's next door to Oasis playing at Murrayfield Stadium is really surreal. It's huge, and just very surreal with what's happening next door when we are playing in the ice rink. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's the first time we have been back here since the 90s, we used to come to the disco on Friday nights quite regularly, pretty much every week for a while, we've got great memories of the place, good times. I used to love ice skating, I got into it in Livingston and when that closed I started coming here to skate also. I then got into music and going out, so the ice skating faded away. 'Liam' and 'Noel' from Livingston-based Oasis tribute band Definitely Oasis. | National World We are all Oasis fanboys, so to think they will be in the stadium doing a soundcheck and we will be here playing the same songs at the same time, it's mind-blowing. We don't suppose we will get a bigger gig than playing next door to Oasis. We've played to bigger crowds at festivals and big arenas, but this is incredible and the most excited we've been about playing a gig. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We got together in 2012 but never started playing properly as Oasis until 2015. We knew there was a demand to hear Oasis songs live given they split in 2009, but we didn't realise how big it was. The band were gone but the fans weren't, and they were still mad for it! We only played local gigs to start with, before we knew it we were all over the country and then the world. We absolutely love doing what we do for a job. We get in character on stage, with a bit of needle between our Liam and Noel, a bit of pantomime. Sometimes the egos take over on stage and we just get lost in the moment, forget we aren't actually Oasis! Acting is a big part of it, not just playing the tunes, but being them also. We are quite happy guys, so sometimes we have to remember to be a bit mean and moody on stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The tribute band will play Murrayfield Ice Arena ahead of the massive Oasis gigs next door at Murrayfield Stadium in August. | National World The buzz of being them has never went. When the intro of the first song kicks in, especially if it's a good crowd, it's a great buzz to keep the music alive. Sometimes the hairs on the back of our necks stand up. There are so many layers to it. The first thing is everyone in the band are huge Oasis fans, we get to play the tunes we grew up with. And we're in a great band with great musicians, we sound great. Playing in front of great and very appreciative fans, it's such a buzz, and we never get sick of it. Oasis were our band growing up, and still are. They mean so much to us. Even since they announced their return the demand is still there for us to play. Everyone is so excited Oasis are back. It's amazing they are back, biblical. Especially for the younger fans who never got the chance to see them live, in all their glory. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's always been a 'will they, won't they' for years. But when Noel had his divorce I really thought for the first time that it could happen, and here we are. We are so excited to see the set lists when they kick-off the reunion tour next month. And they have done really well to keep the media blanket since the announcement. I hope there is a wee spark between them on stage. I hope they show passion. It would be nice to see some brotherly love, and it's not just a big pay day. The tribute act spoke of their love for Oasis and revealed their excitement at playing these special Edinburgh gigs. | National World We were always busy, but since the reunion news broke last year the bookings have went through the roof. We are playing constantly this year and probably next year as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's interesting now at our shows as adults are bringing their kids to see us, it's amazing the amount of kids that are into Oasis, and they sing every single word of every song. It's great that Oasis have still got that pull, just like the Beatles really. We have not met Liam and Noel yet, but we met Oasis bassist Andy Bell once at an after-show. We would love to meet them, not sure what we would say though. They are the reason we are into music and musicians. We would just love to say thank you for teaching us music. Oasis changed everything when they came out, not just music, fashion, everything. It's hard to overestimate the impact they had on us and that generation. You never know, we might meet them at Murrayfield when we are both playing there? Tickets, priced at £5- £10, for the Oasis pre-show events at Murrayfield Ice Arena are still on sale, for Friday, August 8, click here. For Saturday, August 9, click here. And for Tuesday, August 12, click here.
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Young people in West Lothian tasked with designing alternative uses for heat pumps
The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood Innovative teenagers in West Lothian are being asked to think outside the box and design an alternative use for heat pumps. It's part of the annual 'Pump It Up' school challenge and pupils at nine of the local authority's secondary schools are taking part. The venture is a joint one between Livingston-based Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to bring industry and schools closer together with S3 pupils being asked to combine their technical knowledge and imagination to come up with an innovative way to use a heat pump. The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood and it's hoped that in the process of developing their skills, the challenge will ultimately helped the youngsters' career journeys. The finals event will take place at Howden Park Centre on Thursday, June 19 from 4:30pm to 7pm, with special guests set to include the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, Mr Hattori Taro, President, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, Dr Elaine Cook, Depute Chief Executive West Lothian Council and Provost Cathy Muldoon. Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, added: 'The collaboration between high schools and academies in West Lothian, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce encourages young people to consider heat pump technology in innovative new ways, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. 'The success of the project has given our local community a greater awareness of what we do, while providing a platform for talented young individuals within each school to research, study, plan and create products that may form part of the future, increasing real life skills, environmental awareness and the visualisation of alternative potential careers journeys.' Linda Scott, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive said: 'This competition is all about encouraging Scotland's younger generation to think outside the box and come up with clever and innovative ideas that give them a greater understanding of technology and sustainable energy. 'Ultimately, we are looking to help our younger generations learn and develop new skills and competitions such as these are great for this because they tap into a number of different skill sets such as creativity and teamwork.'
Edinburgh Reporter
11-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian pupils aiming to ‘Pump it Up'
Pupils in West Lothian are being given the chance to design an alternative use for a heat pump as part of the annual 'Pump It Up' school challenge. Taking part in the competition will be nine of the region's secondary schools, which is being run as a joint venture between Livingston-based Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to bring industry and schools closer together with S3 pupils being asked to combine their technical knowledge and imagination to come up with an innovative way to use a heat pump. The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood and it's hoped that in the process of developing their skills, the challenge will ultimately helped the youngsters' career journeys going forward. Winners will be announced at the finals event at Howden Park Centre on Thursday 19 June (4:30pm – 7pm). Special guests are set to include the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, Mr Hattori Taro, President, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, Dr Elaine Cook, Depute Chief Executive West Lothian Council and Provost Cathy Muldoon. Linda Scott (pictured), West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive said: 'This competition is all about encouraging Scotland's younger generation to think outside the box and come up with clever and innovative ideas that give them a greater understanding of technology and sustainable energy. 'Ultimately, we are looking to help our younger generations learn and develop new skills and competitions such as these are great for this because they tap into a number of different skill sets such as creativity and teamwork.' Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, added: 'The collaboration between high schools and academies in West Lothian, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce encourages young people to consider heat pump technology in innovative new ways, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. 'The success of the project has given our local community a greater awareness of what we do, while providing a platform for talented young individuals within each school to research, study, plan and create products that may form part of the future, increasing real life skills, environmental awareness and the visualisation of alternative potential careers journeys.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Circular economy: The Scottish start-up behind ‘simple solution' for recycling plastic
'Plastics are an essential part of our world, but so far, the industry has failed to provide workable solutions at-scale to deal with the impact they have on our environment' – Tom Rose, ReVentas Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish start-up has secured international investment to scale up its ground-breaking plastic recycling technology. Livingston-based ReVentas is looking to go from pilot plant to commercial operation over the next three years. The funding round has been backed by venture capitalists Orlen VC and Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and economic development agency Scottish Enterprise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dealing with plastic at end-of-life remains a challenge for society, with recycling rates of only around 9 per cent globally. This is due to the complex composition of materials, their colour and the contamination they have picked up, resulting in the majority being incinerated. Any plastic that is recycled is often being downcycled into low value applications. Livingston-based ReVentas' pilot plant for plastic recycling. ReVentas' recycling technology aims to solve this problem, tackling two of the most common plastics in use today, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), making up more than half of the plastic produced. The firm's unique tech uses a chemical solvent to rapidly dissolve PE and PP, filtering the plastic of all contaminants including colour and odour, and producing a natural 'like-new' plastic which can be sold directly to end customers, replacing virgin plastic. The technology operates at low temperatures and pressures, which is said to cut the cost of production making recycling more economically viable, while achieving an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions over new plastic production. Tom Rose, chief executive of ReVentas, said: 'This investment marks a major milestone for ReVentas and in moving the recycling of plastic forward. Plastics are an essential part of our world, but so far, the industry has failed to provide workable solutions at-scale to deal with the impact they have on our environment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'ReVentas are providing a simple solution which can change this, ensuring the waste we produce today, can and will be directly used in the products we buy tomorrow.' Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: 'Our investment support is focused on helping Scotland's most innovative and ambitious companies to grow and scale, creating impactful economic change. 'ReVentas is a shining example of this, by working in an area where Scotland has global strengths to develop innovative solutions for one of the biggest global environmental challenges we face right now.' Beiersdorf Venture Capital and Orlen VC will join LG Chem and others as strategic partners of ReVentas to support the scale up of the technology. With the funding secured, the goal is to accelerate the development of the company's first commercial 10,000-tonne-per-annum plant, planned for operation in 2027, with an additional 140,000 tonnes planned to be brought online by 2031. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marek Garniewski, president of the management board of Orlen VC, said: 'EU regulations mandate that 10 per cent of packaging materials must come from recycled sources by 2030. However, Europe faces significant shortages of high-quality secondary raw materials suitable for reuse in production.
Edinburgh Live
21-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Touching tribute for West Lothian teen who left 'lasting legacy' after sad passing
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An MSP has paid tribute to a West Lothian teen who left a 'lasting legacy'. Angela Constance MSP was joined by Scotland's Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray MSP as they praised the work of Livingston-based charity Jak's Den. Jak Trueman was just 15 years old when he tragically died in 2015 following a fight with delta T-cell lymphoma, reports The Daily Record. He passed away less than two weeks after being told his cancer was untreatable. He hoped to provide a place for young people suffering with cancer to meet and chat, relax and listen to music. Team Jak Foundation was launched six days before his death and Jak's Den followed soon after. There are now five dens throughout Scotland. Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley and Scotland's Justice Secretary, said: 'I was pleased to visit Jak's Den in Livingston with Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, as part of their 10-year anniversary to discuss how best we can continue to support the charity as they look forward to the future. 'Jak's dream to bring the community together in such a positive way has demonstrated what a remarkable young man he was. Jak's legacy has touched so many lives, thanks to his remarkable vision for improving services for others. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. 'Jaks mum Allison has shown incredible strength in making Jak's dream a reality'. Both have inspired so many people to support their work and over the course of a decade have supported more than 500 families with bespoke emotional, social, and practical support, all borne through lived experience. (Image: Team Jak Foundation) 'I have been particularly impressed with the determination and drive of staff and volunteers to make Jak's Den a reality. "With five pop-up Dens now throughout Scotland, Jak's legacy has reached many more young people and families to ease the fear, confusion and loneliness of a cancer diagnosis or bereavement and ensure no-one feels isolated or alone' Allison Barr, Chief Executive at TEAM JAK Foundation, said: 'It was an honour and privilege to have a very special visit from Neil and Angela to mark our Ten Year OSCR registration. 'It meant the world to have the recognition from such prestigious MSPs. 'Having created our charity at the request of my inspirational 15-year-old son Jak before he died it has been a privilege and honour to watch it grow and see all the amazing services we now provide as a result of one young person lived experience and backed up by the Scottish Government's Childhood Cancer plan and identified gap in emotional support, alongside social and practical.' The charity has a schools outreach programme which initially supported a small number of schools when one of their children was sadly dying. Now it not only provides support to schools with children who are dying or have died, but also those children affected returning to school. Team Jak's Bag of Worries and Bag of Hope programmes also provide bespoke wellbeing support. Allison added: 'Here's to Jak and his amazing legacy – and to all our superhero warriors' siblings and angels, now and always." You can find out more about Team Jak Foundation here.
