Music Town
A decade of the Darvel Music Festival
A decade of the Darvel Music Festival
The Scottish town of Darvel, the most easterly of Ayrshire's Irvine Valley towns, is famous, historically, for two things.
First, lace mills were introduced in the late 19th century; Darvel subsequently became known as the "Lace Town" and Darvel Lace was exported throughout the world.
A few years after the birth of the Darvel mills was the birth of Alexander Fleming, at Lochfield Farm in 1881.
He would go on to become Sir Alexander Fleming, biologist and pharmacologist; among his contributions to the world of medicine in the 20th century was the discovery of penicillin in 1928.
Fast forward to 2002 and the birth of what would become a third and present day claim-to-fame and another known well outside of the Ayrshire town’s borders.
That year saw the inaugural Darvel Music Festival, an event that has grown to become one of the best music festivals in Scotland.
From Lace Town of the late 18th and early 19th centuries to Music Town in the 21st.
Well, perhaps not quite, but Neil McKenna, producer of the Darvel Music Festival, would certainly like to see Darvel be known as not just a music town of Scotland but the music town of Scotland.
Neil and wife Sheila, director of the festival, have certainly put Darvel on the musical map and 2011 sees the 10th Anniversary of the event, a fantastic feat when you consider this is done for the love of the music and run as a non-profit organisation which relies on grants, fundraising and sponsorship to finance the festival each year.
That non-profit organisation is The Darvel Music Company.
Formed in 2008, it was established to create and promote live music events in Darvel and East Ayrshire.
Although Neil and Sheila are producer and director, around two dozen others – from committee members to volunteers – play their part in bringing live music to Darvel one month of each year.
The shows themselves take place at the Darvel Town Hall and the intimacy of the venue along with the friendly, family-like atmosphere have helped build the reputation of the festival to such a degree that it's now regarded by many as one of the Top 5 music events staged in Scotland.
Major open-air festivals such as T in the Park take first billing and other prominent events like Glasgow’s Celtic Connections reach far larger audiences (and feature far more shows), but the Darvel Music Festival is rightly regarded as one of the must-see events.
The 10th Anniversary year is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and entertaining yet – more than twenty-five acts will perform over ten nights, with every weekend in May featuring live music.
Although the bulk of the acts or artists that perform are Scottish, established international acts as well as national performers are always part of the mix and the four 10th Anniversary weekends are themed to cover as many styles of acts or genres as possible:
Traditional/ Celtic weekend; Bluegrass/ Country weekend; Blues & Soul weekend; the "finale" weekend (featuring Scottish bands Aberfeldy and The Silencers).
First, lace mills were introduced in the late 19th century; Darvel subsequently became known as the "Lace Town" and Darvel Lace was exported throughout the world.
A few years after the birth of the Darvel mills was the birth of Alexander Fleming, at Lochfield Farm in 1881.
He would go on to become Sir Alexander Fleming, biologist and pharmacologist; among his contributions to the world of medicine in the 20th century was the discovery of penicillin in 1928.
Fast forward to 2002 and the birth of what would become a third and present day claim-to-fame and another known well outside of the Ayrshire town’s borders.
That year saw the inaugural Darvel Music Festival, an event that has grown to become one of the best music festivals in Scotland.
From Lace Town of the late 18th and early 19th centuries to Music Town in the 21st.
Well, perhaps not quite, but Neil McKenna, producer of the Darvel Music Festival, would certainly like to see Darvel be known as not just a music town of Scotland but the music town of Scotland.
Neil and wife Sheila, director of the festival, have certainly put Darvel on the musical map and 2011 sees the 10th Anniversary of the event, a fantastic feat when you consider this is done for the love of the music and run as a non-profit organisation which relies on grants, fundraising and sponsorship to finance the festival each year.
That non-profit organisation is The Darvel Music Company.
Formed in 2008, it was established to create and promote live music events in Darvel and East Ayrshire.
Although Neil and Sheila are producer and director, around two dozen others – from committee members to volunteers – play their part in bringing live music to Darvel one month of each year.
The shows themselves take place at the Darvel Town Hall and the intimacy of the venue along with the friendly, family-like atmosphere have helped build the reputation of the festival to such a degree that it's now regarded by many as one of the Top 5 music events staged in Scotland.
Major open-air festivals such as T in the Park take first billing and other prominent events like Glasgow’s Celtic Connections reach far larger audiences (and feature far more shows), but the Darvel Music Festival is rightly regarded as one of the must-see events.
The 10th Anniversary year is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and entertaining yet – more than twenty-five acts will perform over ten nights, with every weekend in May featuring live music.
Although the bulk of the acts or artists that perform are Scottish, established international acts as well as national performers are always part of the mix and the four 10th Anniversary weekends are themed to cover as many styles of acts or genres as possible:
Traditional/ Celtic weekend; Bluegrass/ Country weekend; Blues & Soul weekend; the "finale" weekend (featuring Scottish bands Aberfeldy and The Silencers).
Darvel Town Hall. The intimacy of the venue and the friendly, family-like
atmosphere have helped to build the reputation of the town's Music Festival
FabricationsHQ caught up with Sheila and Neil a few weeks before the 10th Anniversary events to talk about the past, present and future of what has become the "Darvel Experience."
Or, if you prefer, the ABC of the Darvel Music Festival…
A is for Audience.
This is not just an Ayrshire festival. It is recognized in many parts of the world and has a reputation for its family feel, community spirit and intimate surroundings.
"As the festival developed and picked up a reputation, audience numbers increased. 55% of our audience is from outside Ayrshire and people come from all over the world to enjoy the music and the surrounding area," Neil confirmed, continuing "We have had music fans from Canada, Ireland, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, France… even as far as Japan!"
The latter immediately triggered a story Sheila and Neil love to recount, as it doesn’t just tell of one fan’s devotion to an artist, but tells you a lot about the festival itself…
The fan in question came all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun one year for the sole purpose of seeing Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart.
In a classic case of You Couldn’t Make It Up, the fan’s name was Emi (pronounced Emmy), she had little command of the English language (let alone Scottish) and it was a sure bet she had never heard of Darvel or Ayrshire before checking Karine Polwart tour dates.
Once the organisers became aware of Emi and her devotion to Karine Polwart and her music, they made sure she met Karine, got the required photographs and autographs, and arranged transport back to her hotel outside of the town.
As Neil explained: "Emi had no idea how to get back to her hotel and couldn’t communicate well enough to organize a taxi or bus, so we made sure she had a great time and also a ride back to where she was staying."
"We don’t ever see anyone stuck or lost," added Sheila. "This is very much like a family and anyone struggling is welcome to stay behind at the venue after the bands have performed and we’ll make sure they're taken care of and get a lift or a taxi. We've even had some of the artists take fans back to hotels or B&B’s!"
"That’s true," chuckled Neil "We had Hamish Stuart giving some fans a lift one year."
Hamish Stuart. A name familiar to many a music fan…
B is for Bands.
Over 150 bands and artists have performed at the festival since the inaugural event of 2002 and many make return visits, such is their fondness for the festival and the spirit of the event – Hamish Stuart is one such artist and The Hamish Stuart Band will be headlining one of the 2011 nights.
Hamish Stuart was an integral part of the Average White Band for their first decade and has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, appeared on Chaka Khan albums, recorded and performed all over the world with Paul McCartney and toured with the Ringo Starr All-Starr Band.
And, it seems, runs the occasional taxi service for music fans in East Ayrshire.
Other notable Scottish artists that have played the festival include two of the country's greatest traditional musicians Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Capercaillie, Counselled Out, Eddi Reader, Hue and Cry and Maggie Bell.
Maggie Bell is arguably Britain’s best ever female blues-rock singer and is back for the 10th Anniversary festival, accompanied by the great slide guitarist Dave Kelly and backed by her "BBQ" band (the British Blues Quartet).
Dave Kelly is also member of The Blues Band, featuring Paul Jones. The Blues Band have recorded and performed for more than thirty years and are another notable that has appeared at the festival.
Soul singer Ruby Turner and jazz guitar great Martin Taylor have also performed and, truly brilliant guitarist that Taylor is, his appearance at the 2010 festival was, in effect, support to Larry Carlton.
But then the four-times Grammy Award winning guitarist is one of the best in the business and has been a highly successful session player and recording artist for some forty years, playing jazz, jazz fusion, pop and rock with equal ease.
Carlton also contributed to the classic Steely Dan back catalogue with a number of his solos critically acclaimed as some of the best in pop/ rock history.
"Larry Carlton loved the festival and the people," Neil told FabricationsHQ.
"We decided to put two of the biggest names on the same night, so Martin ended up 'supporting' Larry, but Martin was delighted to be playing on the same bill as Larry – and got to see him play, of course!"
Larry Carlton and Martin Taylor were highlights of the 2010 festival but there are a fair few highlights lined up for the 10th Anniversary…
Along with the aforementioned Aberfeldy, The Silencers, Hamish Stuart, Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly, are appearances by Wolfstone and Skerryvore, who will perform at the Traditional/ Celtic weekend.
Skerryvore are the new Celtic kids on the block with modern, hard-pop infusing their traditional Celtic rock and reel; they are guaranteed to give headliners Wolfstone a run for their money.
The Bluegrass/ Country weekend includes the high-tempo acoustic bluegrass of The Coal Porters, and a set from Justin Currie.
Currie pursued a solo career following the indefinite hiatus of Scottish pop-rockers Del Amitri and released his second album The Great War in 2010.
The Pee Wee Ellis Assembly and Hamilton Loomis are amongst the acts playing on the Blues & Soul (and a little bit of funk) weekend.
Saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis joined the James Brown Revue in 1965 and co-wrote Brown’s first hit 'Cold Sweat.' The Assembly are regular performers in the U.K. and Europe.
Texan singer guitarist Hamilton Loomis blends so much soul, funk and even a little jazziness into his blues-rock that he is hard to categorise. He is perhaps best described as Sassy R&B and a true live performer.
When bands play Darvel they are asked not to play anywhere else locally.
"We ask them not to play anywhere else in the west of Scotland during the festival," Neil confirmed.
"If Wolfstone wanted to play Inverness for example that’s fine, but we don’t have any of the artists playing within say, 35 miles, or Glasgow."
Clearly this helps in attracting more people and brings "exclusive billing" to the festival, but it also tells you a little about the high regard many of the acts now have for the event.
atmosphere have helped to build the reputation of the town's Music Festival
FabricationsHQ caught up with Sheila and Neil a few weeks before the 10th Anniversary events to talk about the past, present and future of what has become the "Darvel Experience."
Or, if you prefer, the ABC of the Darvel Music Festival…
A is for Audience.
This is not just an Ayrshire festival. It is recognized in many parts of the world and has a reputation for its family feel, community spirit and intimate surroundings.
"As the festival developed and picked up a reputation, audience numbers increased. 55% of our audience is from outside Ayrshire and people come from all over the world to enjoy the music and the surrounding area," Neil confirmed, continuing "We have had music fans from Canada, Ireland, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, France… even as far as Japan!"
The latter immediately triggered a story Sheila and Neil love to recount, as it doesn’t just tell of one fan’s devotion to an artist, but tells you a lot about the festival itself…
The fan in question came all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun one year for the sole purpose of seeing Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart.
In a classic case of You Couldn’t Make It Up, the fan’s name was Emi (pronounced Emmy), she had little command of the English language (let alone Scottish) and it was a sure bet she had never heard of Darvel or Ayrshire before checking Karine Polwart tour dates.
Once the organisers became aware of Emi and her devotion to Karine Polwart and her music, they made sure she met Karine, got the required photographs and autographs, and arranged transport back to her hotel outside of the town.
As Neil explained: "Emi had no idea how to get back to her hotel and couldn’t communicate well enough to organize a taxi or bus, so we made sure she had a great time and also a ride back to where she was staying."
"We don’t ever see anyone stuck or lost," added Sheila. "This is very much like a family and anyone struggling is welcome to stay behind at the venue after the bands have performed and we’ll make sure they're taken care of and get a lift or a taxi. We've even had some of the artists take fans back to hotels or B&B’s!"
"That’s true," chuckled Neil "We had Hamish Stuart giving some fans a lift one year."
Hamish Stuart. A name familiar to many a music fan…
B is for Bands.
Over 150 bands and artists have performed at the festival since the inaugural event of 2002 and many make return visits, such is their fondness for the festival and the spirit of the event – Hamish Stuart is one such artist and The Hamish Stuart Band will be headlining one of the 2011 nights.
Hamish Stuart was an integral part of the Average White Band for their first decade and has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, appeared on Chaka Khan albums, recorded and performed all over the world with Paul McCartney and toured with the Ringo Starr All-Starr Band.
And, it seems, runs the occasional taxi service for music fans in East Ayrshire.
Other notable Scottish artists that have played the festival include two of the country's greatest traditional musicians Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Capercaillie, Counselled Out, Eddi Reader, Hue and Cry and Maggie Bell.
Maggie Bell is arguably Britain’s best ever female blues-rock singer and is back for the 10th Anniversary festival, accompanied by the great slide guitarist Dave Kelly and backed by her "BBQ" band (the British Blues Quartet).
Dave Kelly is also member of The Blues Band, featuring Paul Jones. The Blues Band have recorded and performed for more than thirty years and are another notable that has appeared at the festival.
Soul singer Ruby Turner and jazz guitar great Martin Taylor have also performed and, truly brilliant guitarist that Taylor is, his appearance at the 2010 festival was, in effect, support to Larry Carlton.
But then the four-times Grammy Award winning guitarist is one of the best in the business and has been a highly successful session player and recording artist for some forty years, playing jazz, jazz fusion, pop and rock with equal ease.
Carlton also contributed to the classic Steely Dan back catalogue with a number of his solos critically acclaimed as some of the best in pop/ rock history.
"Larry Carlton loved the festival and the people," Neil told FabricationsHQ.
"We decided to put two of the biggest names on the same night, so Martin ended up 'supporting' Larry, but Martin was delighted to be playing on the same bill as Larry – and got to see him play, of course!"
Larry Carlton and Martin Taylor were highlights of the 2010 festival but there are a fair few highlights lined up for the 10th Anniversary…
Along with the aforementioned Aberfeldy, The Silencers, Hamish Stuart, Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly, are appearances by Wolfstone and Skerryvore, who will perform at the Traditional/ Celtic weekend.
Skerryvore are the new Celtic kids on the block with modern, hard-pop infusing their traditional Celtic rock and reel; they are guaranteed to give headliners Wolfstone a run for their money.
The Bluegrass/ Country weekend includes the high-tempo acoustic bluegrass of The Coal Porters, and a set from Justin Currie.
Currie pursued a solo career following the indefinite hiatus of Scottish pop-rockers Del Amitri and released his second album The Great War in 2010.
The Pee Wee Ellis Assembly and Hamilton Loomis are amongst the acts playing on the Blues & Soul (and a little bit of funk) weekend.
Saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis joined the James Brown Revue in 1965 and co-wrote Brown’s first hit 'Cold Sweat.' The Assembly are regular performers in the U.K. and Europe.
Texan singer guitarist Hamilton Loomis blends so much soul, funk and even a little jazziness into his blues-rock that he is hard to categorise. He is perhaps best described as Sassy R&B and a true live performer.
When bands play Darvel they are asked not to play anywhere else locally.
"We ask them not to play anywhere else in the west of Scotland during the festival," Neil confirmed.
"If Wolfstone wanted to play Inverness for example that’s fine, but we don’t have any of the artists playing within say, 35 miles, or Glasgow."
Clearly this helps in attracting more people and brings "exclusive billing" to the festival, but it also tells you a little about the high regard many of the acts now have for the event.
C is for Community – and Costs
"It’s a great community spirit, in the town and around the area. When we first came to Darvel thirteen years ago and decided to put the event together just a few years later, the community and the locals weren’t too sure – outsiders bringing a music festival to Darvel?" laughs Neil.
"But once we put it together it created such a buzz that the community embraced it. Many help out any way they can, shops and retailers put up posters to help promote it, some will help with contributions or sponsorship."
The community spirit that surrounds the Darvel Music Festival separates it from many similar events, but it’s stil a lot of work as Sheila confirmed: "We do everything from booking the bands, including any flights or hotel requirements, to even picking up artists at the airport. We’re busy on the days of the shows, too.
We enjoy the performances, but we have to make sure the bands are at the hall on time and for sound-checks. and we even cook for some of the bands!"
There have even been instances of artists and those associated with the festival staying overnight at Sheila and Neil’s home.
The Darvel Music Festival is very much a hands on event, but that’s only one half of the equation.
There is also the tricky issue of funding...
This is not the day job for Neil, Sheila, or anyone else involved in putting together the festival.
It takes nine months of a year to organise from start to finish and it also takes a serious amount of money.
The Local Council contribute funds to the event and, along with a mix of other major contributors and sponsors, plus the sale of exclusive festival merchandise through the website, the festival has managed to survive financially.
Financial contributors are too many to mention, but notable assists have included Event Scotland, Scottish Power Renewables, Lottery Funding, many local companies and support programmes such as Ayrshire Leader.
The funding has helped produce a ten-year history for the Darvel Music Festival, which in turn produces approximately £200,000 of revenue and income into the local area and community.
That seems to be a pretty healthy position to be in, but there is a sting in the tale of this festival’s story.
D is for Darvel – and Dilemma
With a 10th Anniversary festival to celebrate, you may think the conversations with Neil and Sheila would all be positive ones, but there is a hard financial fact to consider – "This might be the last one." Neil stated matter of factly.
"Although 'Darvel 20' has a nice ring to it," Sheila interjected, "it’s difficult to see how we can even get to an eleventh, as things stand right now."
In case anyone hadn’t noticed, most of us are singing the Recessional Cash-Flow Blues as we enter the second decade of the new Millennium.
In the UK recent Government cuts are starting to show their ripple effect, and that includes cuts to Local Authority budgets.
"The Local Council (whose contribution covers approximately a quarter of the costs) have reduced our funding by 15% and will be reduced by another 15% in 2012," Neil confirmed, going on to state "we are £30,000 short for next year."
"It’s a great community spirit, in the town and around the area. When we first came to Darvel thirteen years ago and decided to put the event together just a few years later, the community and the locals weren’t too sure – outsiders bringing a music festival to Darvel?" laughs Neil.
"But once we put it together it created such a buzz that the community embraced it. Many help out any way they can, shops and retailers put up posters to help promote it, some will help with contributions or sponsorship."
The community spirit that surrounds the Darvel Music Festival separates it from many similar events, but it’s stil a lot of work as Sheila confirmed: "We do everything from booking the bands, including any flights or hotel requirements, to even picking up artists at the airport. We’re busy on the days of the shows, too.
We enjoy the performances, but we have to make sure the bands are at the hall on time and for sound-checks. and we even cook for some of the bands!"
There have even been instances of artists and those associated with the festival staying overnight at Sheila and Neil’s home.
The Darvel Music Festival is very much a hands on event, but that’s only one half of the equation.
There is also the tricky issue of funding...
This is not the day job for Neil, Sheila, or anyone else involved in putting together the festival.
It takes nine months of a year to organise from start to finish and it also takes a serious amount of money.
The Local Council contribute funds to the event and, along with a mix of other major contributors and sponsors, plus the sale of exclusive festival merchandise through the website, the festival has managed to survive financially.
Financial contributors are too many to mention, but notable assists have included Event Scotland, Scottish Power Renewables, Lottery Funding, many local companies and support programmes such as Ayrshire Leader.
The funding has helped produce a ten-year history for the Darvel Music Festival, which in turn produces approximately £200,000 of revenue and income into the local area and community.
That seems to be a pretty healthy position to be in, but there is a sting in the tale of this festival’s story.
D is for Darvel – and Dilemma
With a 10th Anniversary festival to celebrate, you may think the conversations with Neil and Sheila would all be positive ones, but there is a hard financial fact to consider – "This might be the last one." Neil stated matter of factly.
"Although 'Darvel 20' has a nice ring to it," Sheila interjected, "it’s difficult to see how we can even get to an eleventh, as things stand right now."
In case anyone hadn’t noticed, most of us are singing the Recessional Cash-Flow Blues as we enter the second decade of the new Millennium.
In the UK recent Government cuts are starting to show their ripple effect, and that includes cuts to Local Authority budgets.
"The Local Council (whose contribution covers approximately a quarter of the costs) have reduced our funding by 15% and will be reduced by another 15% in 2012," Neil confirmed, going on to state "we are £30,000 short for next year."
The spotlights are on, but nobody's playing. Everything points to the
tenth Darvel Music Festival being the best yet, but will it be the last?
"I don’t see where the £30,000 is going to come from," continued Sheila. "We’ve exhausted funding from the other major sponsors, so unless someone has £30,000 to spare…"
Hence the dilemma.
And hence the ABC of this article, which came from something Neil said during our chat: "It’s a lot of work but it’s also as easy as ABC – if ABC are in place."
Because if the Audience, Bands and Community are behind it and all Costs are covered, then the Darvel Music Festival follows – just as simply as D follows A, B, and C.
Sheila and Neil’s expertise and experience means they could help organise other Ayrshire festivals (they have already had offers) or they could consider streamlining the Darvel Festival to one weekend and invite bigger, name bands to participate in a reduced calendar.
But that would dilute, and defeat, the purpose and presentation of the Darvel Music Festival; an event that is now based on being an extended event held over consecutive weekends.
The future of the festival is out of the hands of Neil, Sheila and the others who have played their part in making it a reality for ten years – the future of the festival may now be in the hands of an as-yet unknown promoter, or promoters, who want to keep the music alive.
Or perhaps 300 music fans that can donate £100 each, or perhaps it's a music loving benefactor reading this feature.
While discussing Larry Carlton, Neil had remarked how Carlton "fell in love with the place and the area.
'I have to come back,' he said."
Here’s hoping the opportunity presents itself to do just that.
Ross Muir
April 2011
(Click here for a review of the 2011 festival)
Photo credits:
World Cities (Darvel Town Hall exterior); Crooked Rain.Scotland's Music (Darvel Town Hall interior)
tenth Darvel Music Festival being the best yet, but will it be the last?
"I don’t see where the £30,000 is going to come from," continued Sheila. "We’ve exhausted funding from the other major sponsors, so unless someone has £30,000 to spare…"
Hence the dilemma.
And hence the ABC of this article, which came from something Neil said during our chat: "It’s a lot of work but it’s also as easy as ABC – if ABC are in place."
Because if the Audience, Bands and Community are behind it and all Costs are covered, then the Darvel Music Festival follows – just as simply as D follows A, B, and C.
Sheila and Neil’s expertise and experience means they could help organise other Ayrshire festivals (they have already had offers) or they could consider streamlining the Darvel Festival to one weekend and invite bigger, name bands to participate in a reduced calendar.
But that would dilute, and defeat, the purpose and presentation of the Darvel Music Festival; an event that is now based on being an extended event held over consecutive weekends.
The future of the festival is out of the hands of Neil, Sheila and the others who have played their part in making it a reality for ten years – the future of the festival may now be in the hands of an as-yet unknown promoter, or promoters, who want to keep the music alive.
Or perhaps 300 music fans that can donate £100 each, or perhaps it's a music loving benefactor reading this feature.
While discussing Larry Carlton, Neil had remarked how Carlton "fell in love with the place and the area.
'I have to come back,' he said."
Here’s hoping the opportunity presents itself to do just that.
Ross Muir
April 2011
(Click here for a review of the 2011 festival)
Photo credits:
World Cities (Darvel Town Hall exterior); Crooked Rain.Scotland's Music (Darvel Town Hall interior)