The 2012 Ayrshire Music Festivals
For Scottish music fans, music fans in general and particularly for those who want to see, hear and support live music, this is a very, very good time be around or live in Ayrshire in the south-west of Scotland.
I’ve yet to discover if there is something in the water, something in the gene-pool of the current generation or if the area simply punches above its weight as regards the percentage of quality musicians, bands and singer songwriters within its population, but there is no doubt something is in the... Ayr.
And Troon. And Irvine. And Kilmarnock.
And Largs.
And just about every other town and village that makes up the County formed from north, south and east Ayrshire.
Similarly, the area seems to be growing from strength to strength as regards musical activities and events. This year saw the first Ardrossan Music Experience, which took place in the north Ayrshire town while Prestwick, the town where I live, hosts its inaugural Prestfest.
Ardrossan opened its first Music Experience festival with a launch night of traditional Scottish music followed by a blues night and a rock and pop night.
The two consecutive-evening shows featured, amongst others, Larry Miller and JJ Gilmour.
Prestfest has become a reality primarily because of solid and positive support from the community and local businesses.
And the interest generated and initial response to such an event has already led to talks of the festival becoming an annual event – concerts to be held at the 65 Club and Ambassador Indoor Bowling will help raise funds for next year’s Prestfest.
Artists and acts from many musical genres including rock, folk and acoustic will be taking part and there should be appearances from The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra as well as educational music workshops.
Prestfest and other, similar community-based festivals (where music workshops are on offer and a large number of small venues host the live music) are solid and important satellite events that both support and increase the interest in live music.
And that, in turn, can only benefit the larger or more established late spring and summer Ayrshire festivals such as Burns an’ a’ That! and the Darvel Music Festival.
Darvel started off event proceedings in fine style, with six acts performing over three nights. Head-liners were Mud Morganfield (aka Muddy Waters Jr) and Scottish bands The Big Dish and Love and Money.
Burns an' a' That! played host to a varied line-up of live music, film, drama, comedy, arts and culture with one of many highlights being a performance at the Ayr Town Hall by The Complete Stone Roses, one of the UK's leading tribute bands.
The Burns an’ a’ That! festival is recognised as the largest arts and cultural festival in south-west Scotland and many of the concerts took place in the town of Ayr, at Loudoun Hall and Ayr Town Hall.
But something a little bit special happened at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum during the festival weekend…
Third Degree Burns: Homegrown was organised and hosted by Ayr singer songwriter Jamie McGeechan (a.k.a Little Fire), which showcased a number of the best acts Ayrshire has to offer including Rose Parade, Alan Frew, Melisa Kelly and The Harmless Thieves, Paul McGranaghan and Slanj.
Having the RBBM as the venue (in Alloway, close to the famous bard’s cottage) meant it was a perfectly situated and perfectly named event and another that should become an annual occurrence.
Another new festival is Largs Live, with the North Ayrshire seaside town playing host to more than two-dozen artists over the weekend of 29th of June to 1st of July.
Headline act is Eddi Reader and her band.
Then there's the second Kilmarnock Fair Festival (which will include Belfast's noted singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy) and village festivals such as the Dundonald Music Festival and Auchinleck's Alive ‘n’Kicking festival.
The Festival Opening concert at Auchinleck will feature Scottish singer Jai McDowell, winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2011.
The Kilmarnock Fair Festival isn’t the only musical weekend event in the east Ayrshire town.
The Dirty Weekender was a three-day event that took place at two venues (Dirty Martinis and Bakers) and presented a diverse range of acts from full band to acoustic performances. Acoustic venue head-liners were Brown Bear & The Bandits, who recently won Best Acoustic Act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
Later in the year, closing out the major 2012 Ayrshire music events is Live@Troon.
The 2012 version promises to be Troon's biggest and best yet with The View, The Imagineers and Carly Connor confirmed for the Headline Concert on Saturday, 1st September.
Yes, for those who want to see, hear and support live music, this is indeed a very, very good time to be around or live in Ayrshire.
Must be something in the water right enough.
Ross Muir
May 2012
An article on the Ayrshire music scene, featuring a few of the Ayrshire artists already making (radio) waves – or unquestionably about to – will be on site in the not too distant future.
For specific details on the forthcoming festivals as mentioned above, confirmed acts or further information:
Auchinleck Alive ‘n’ Kicking – 27th to 29th July
http://www.auchinleckfestival.co.uk/
Live@Troon – 31st August to 2nd September
http://liveattroon.com/
Prestfest is due to take place over the weekend of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August.
I’ve yet to discover if there is something in the water, something in the gene-pool of the current generation or if the area simply punches above its weight as regards the percentage of quality musicians, bands and singer songwriters within its population, but there is no doubt something is in the... Ayr.
And Troon. And Irvine. And Kilmarnock.
And Largs.
And just about every other town and village that makes up the County formed from north, south and east Ayrshire.
Similarly, the area seems to be growing from strength to strength as regards musical activities and events. This year saw the first Ardrossan Music Experience, which took place in the north Ayrshire town while Prestwick, the town where I live, hosts its inaugural Prestfest.
Ardrossan opened its first Music Experience festival with a launch night of traditional Scottish music followed by a blues night and a rock and pop night.
The two consecutive-evening shows featured, amongst others, Larry Miller and JJ Gilmour.
Prestfest has become a reality primarily because of solid and positive support from the community and local businesses.
And the interest generated and initial response to such an event has already led to talks of the festival becoming an annual event – concerts to be held at the 65 Club and Ambassador Indoor Bowling will help raise funds for next year’s Prestfest.
Artists and acts from many musical genres including rock, folk and acoustic will be taking part and there should be appearances from The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra as well as educational music workshops.
Prestfest and other, similar community-based festivals (where music workshops are on offer and a large number of small venues host the live music) are solid and important satellite events that both support and increase the interest in live music.
And that, in turn, can only benefit the larger or more established late spring and summer Ayrshire festivals such as Burns an’ a’ That! and the Darvel Music Festival.
Darvel started off event proceedings in fine style, with six acts performing over three nights. Head-liners were Mud Morganfield (aka Muddy Waters Jr) and Scottish bands The Big Dish and Love and Money.
Burns an' a' That! played host to a varied line-up of live music, film, drama, comedy, arts and culture with one of many highlights being a performance at the Ayr Town Hall by The Complete Stone Roses, one of the UK's leading tribute bands.
The Burns an’ a’ That! festival is recognised as the largest arts and cultural festival in south-west Scotland and many of the concerts took place in the town of Ayr, at Loudoun Hall and Ayr Town Hall.
But something a little bit special happened at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum during the festival weekend…
Third Degree Burns: Homegrown was organised and hosted by Ayr singer songwriter Jamie McGeechan (a.k.a Little Fire), which showcased a number of the best acts Ayrshire has to offer including Rose Parade, Alan Frew, Melisa Kelly and The Harmless Thieves, Paul McGranaghan and Slanj.
Having the RBBM as the venue (in Alloway, close to the famous bard’s cottage) meant it was a perfectly situated and perfectly named event and another that should become an annual occurrence.
Another new festival is Largs Live, with the North Ayrshire seaside town playing host to more than two-dozen artists over the weekend of 29th of June to 1st of July.
Headline act is Eddi Reader and her band.
Then there's the second Kilmarnock Fair Festival (which will include Belfast's noted singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy) and village festivals such as the Dundonald Music Festival and Auchinleck's Alive ‘n’Kicking festival.
The Festival Opening concert at Auchinleck will feature Scottish singer Jai McDowell, winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2011.
The Kilmarnock Fair Festival isn’t the only musical weekend event in the east Ayrshire town.
The Dirty Weekender was a three-day event that took place at two venues (Dirty Martinis and Bakers) and presented a diverse range of acts from full band to acoustic performances. Acoustic venue head-liners were Brown Bear & The Bandits, who recently won Best Acoustic Act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
Later in the year, closing out the major 2012 Ayrshire music events is Live@Troon.
The 2012 version promises to be Troon's biggest and best yet with The View, The Imagineers and Carly Connor confirmed for the Headline Concert on Saturday, 1st September.
Yes, for those who want to see, hear and support live music, this is indeed a very, very good time to be around or live in Ayrshire.
Must be something in the water right enough.
Ross Muir
May 2012
An article on the Ayrshire music scene, featuring a few of the Ayrshire artists already making (radio) waves – or unquestionably about to – will be on site in the not too distant future.
For specific details on the forthcoming festivals as mentioned above, confirmed acts or further information:
Auchinleck Alive ‘n’ Kicking – 27th to 29th July
http://www.auchinleckfestival.co.uk/
Live@Troon – 31st August to 2nd September
http://liveattroon.com/
Prestfest is due to take place over the weekend of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August.
