ROCKER Pete MacLeod is swapping the Happy Mondays for a super Saturday as he gets set for his first gig of the year in Greenock.

The Coatbridge singer songwriter is still on a high after touring with the ‘Madchester’ band across the UK at the tail end of last year.

He supported Shaun Ryder, Bez and co on eight dates in places like Glasgow, Cardiff, Sheffield, Norwich and in front of 4,000 people at the famous Brixton Academy in London.

After a short break over the festive period and recording an album with acclaimed produces Youth, Pete is itching to get back on stage.

Greenock music venue Live @ The Loft is his first port of call in 2016 at the end of the month and he’s eager to give the local crowd an exclusive preview of his new material weaved into the knockout set he performed on tour with the Happy Mondays - an experience he will never forget.

Pete said: “Bez introduced me on stage in Glasgow which was amazing.

“It came about through our manager Alan McGee but Shaun had heard me performing my single ‘Minotaur’ and said to Alan ‘we should get Pete MacLeod to support us’ and that’s how it happened.

“They are all good, really nice people. I played to almost full if not full venues across the UK. London Brixton, that was the biggest crowd I have played in the UK and other than that it was 5,000 people in Hamburg when I supported Amy Macdonald.

“It was a great experience and a good way to end 2015.”

For the last few years Pete’s stock has continued to rise under the tutelage of legendary Creation Records boss McGee, who is widely credited with discovering Oasis.

Pete has struck up a solid friendship with the music mogul and has met stars including Noel Gallagher along the way. As well as touring with the Happy Mondays, the musician has also supported the likes of Amy Macdonald, Ocean Colour Scene and Midge Ure.

But Pete is looking to the future and whether he’s playing in front of 3,000 or 300 he just loves getting on stage and performing live - starting with Greenock on Saturday January 30.

The gig - which will also feature a guest appearance from Glasvegas star Rab Allan – has been organised by Greenock manager and promoter Barry McIlvogue to mark the official opening of Live @ The Loft.

Pete said: “This is my first gig of 2016 so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve played down here about four times in total and the people here are really nice and into their music, so for me it’s a given to come here.

“I came here on Boxing Day to check out a couple of bands that Barry looks after - The Beat Movement, Jamie Reilly and Jamie Coleman.

“It was very different and good to come and check out the venue and hear how it sounded.

“I think it will be really successful and every place should have a good music venue.”

Pete is also hoping for some positive feedback about his new album from local fans. He said: “I’ve just finished recording with Youth which was very enjoyable and a great experience.

“I’ll be playing some songs from my first album with Rab Allan on guitar and once he leaves me and goes to the bar I will start playing songs from my new album so it will be a preview.

“It’ll be roughly the same set as I did with the Happy Mondays but with some other songs thrown in.”

Tickets are on sale now from Cheers Bar on West Stewart Street.