THE Ragamuffins are celebrating the release of their splendid new single, Dreaming of the Summer (Winter in the Disco Tent), with a return to playing live at their spiritual home.

They found fame when their charity single, Si Senor, a tribute to Liverpool’s Brazilian star Roberto Firmino, was beamed live to millions of football supporters at the 2019 Champions League final in Madrid.

“Si Senor developed a life of its own – the reaction to the song was way beyond our wildest dreams,” said Ragamuffins leader David Jaggs whose brings the band to headline Clitheroe Grand’s re-opening party next Saturday.

When the popular Ribble Valley venue revealed it was to re-open after 14 months following the Covid-19 pandemic, it was fitting that The Ragamuffins should get the party started.

For when the Grand first opened 12 years ago, The Ragamuffins starred alongside soul singer Heather Small from M People.

“The Grand has played a huge part in the Ragamuffins story, and Matt Evans (Grand promoter) has always championed us,” said David.

“We recorded our new single there, so we’ll be playing it for the first time in front of a live audience at The Grand re-opening.”

Si Senor was also recorded at The Grand and the song has taken on a life of its own.

Even Anfield and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish has Si Senor as his mobile ring tone.

“The whole thing was so spontaneous. Si Senor has got a massive following in Japan, India, Australia and Brazil,” said David from Whalley.

“As a mad-keen Liverpool fan, to hear it sung by the famous Liverpool kop always makes me ecstatic with joy.”

Si Senor has raised £10,000 for foodbank charities across the North-West.

“It has had over two million plays on Spotify, and when Liverpool win or Firmino scores, the more money the charity receives, so that’s brilliant.”

Days after the Champions League Final, The Ragamuffins played to 20 people in Southport after 3,000 had watched them performing at the Liverpool Arena.

“It keeps you grounded,” said David.

Musicians around the country have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic which has seen venues closed and live performances cancelled. The Grand re-opening is hopefully a sign that things are returning to normal.

“A few pals who play in other bands have said to me that they don’t want to go back to crazy schedules on the road once the pandemic is over,” said David.

“But I think that’s the best bit – the real fun of playing live countrywide.

“I enjoy the chaos – you don’t become a musician to stay at home sat on a couch.”

Clitheroe Grand Theatre re-opening party, Saturday, June 12. Details from thegrandvenue.co.uk