PULP frontman and BBC radio presenter Jarvis Cocker headlined the latest 'Cafe Improv' event organised by the Tower Digital Arts Centre in Helensburgh on Sunday.

The event, produced by local Tower volunteer Sushil Dade, attracted hundred of visitors to the town centre venue.

The show started with an interview by Duglas T. Stewart, the former frontman of BMX Bandits, in which Jarvis talked about his past, his influences, and his earliest ambitions, before the auditorium darkened to enable the audience to listen to one of his favourite tracks, from the Rolling Stones.

As with all Cafe Improv guests,  Jarvis then delivered a recitation from Oscar Wilde, who spoke in the building’s hall in 1888.

The audience then had a 30 minute break where chai and samosa’s were served and Jarvis mingled signing autographs and chatting.

The second part of the afternoon started with the amazing Scottish folk singer James Yorkston singing powerful ballads and bring tears throughout the room with a power and beautiful and moving song Broken Wave, about his bassist Dougie Paul, who died of cancer).

Jarvis then joined James on stage, singing Lal Watterson’s 'Scarecrow' and Pulp’s ‘Babes' and then delivered a powerful rendition of Disco 2000, one of Pulp's biggest hits, with the assistance of local band the Poppadoms, which had the audience on their feet. 

The afternoon concluded in similar fashion to previous Cafe Improv events, at which the guest star selects a film – with Jarvis opting for Tim Burton's Batman Returns, starring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito.

During his visit to Helensburgh Jarvis, who presents a regular weekly show on BBC Radio 6 Music, also called in to the Hill House to enjoy a private tour of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece.

Brian Keating, chief executive of the Tower Digital Arts Centre, said: “The Tower was established for days like today, bringing the community together to create experiences that will delight and surprise them and which they’ll never forget.

“The day was great on so many levels, with other business jumping in to help make sure the day was everything it could be, and all the volunteers on the day, from the front desk to light, sound and photography.”

The Cafe Improv series sits alongside a range of live performances at the Tower, also including theatre, ballet, opera and a monthly folk night.

Live events from around the world are also beamed in to the centre, which boasts two cinema screens and regular digital training events delivering new skills to more than a hundred local people each month.

In addition, talks are under way with key Glasgow festivals in the hope of seeing the Tower added to the list of venues for events such as Celtic Connections and the city's jazz and comedy festivals.

“With the local support we are getting,” Brian added, “2017 will be a game changer for Helensburgh in relation to cultural events and attractions.

“The Tower is on track to attract over 50,000 visitors back into Helensburgh town centre in 2017, making a significant impact on the town centre economy.”