A LOCAL band will be the first to play live in front of a cinema audience in Worcester since the 1970s.

Worcester-based Scarlet Carmina will perform at the Odeon on Monday – three decades after the likes of Mott the Hoople, Queen and David Bowie graced the stage of the city’s now-closed Gaumont Cinema.

The Gaumont in Foregate Street, which closed in 1974 to become the Gala bingo hall, played host to an impressive list of rock stars over the years.

Between the 1950s and 1970s Worcester welcomed The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Dionne Warwick, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Cochran, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, The Faces, The Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison.

Some of the last acts to play there were Gary Glitter, Bowie – as Ziggy Stardust – and Mott the Hoople, with support from the then unknown Queen.

The golden era of music ended for Worcester when the Gaumont closed its doors, but members of Scarlet Carmina are hoping to recreate some of the excitement at the Odeon cinema, on the opposite side of Foregate Street.

Their gig will coincide with a one-off screening of the cult 80s comedy This is Spinal Tap.

An original song penned by the group, who describe their sound as “undiluted rock”, is featured on a DVD released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film.

“We’re going to play for an hour before the film is screened,” said vocalist Alby Samuels.

“It’s amazing to think we’ll be the first to play since 1973. We’re Worcester born and bred, so it’s great.”

Doors open at 7pm and tickets, priced £5, are available on the night.