Mull of Kintyre Music Festival

[MOK Music Festival]

CAMPBELTOWN is now quite used to its’ yearly celebration of traditional and more recently introduced rock music every second last weekend in August. However, the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival Committee have had their work cut out for them this year after the scramble for Deacon Blue and Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham tickets last year. What next?
Touted as one of the 5 best things to do in the world by The Herald the fourteenth festival pushes the boundaries once again with this all-Scottish line up of Idlewild, Eddi Reader and Blazin Fiddles. Idlewild with its punk rock days far behind has developed a Snow Patrol/REM sound making for the perfect summer festival band. Eddi Reader with her sensitive renditions of Burns interspersed with contemporary material has sat favourably with Campbeltown Picture House as the venue – she and her manager are notably impressed anticipating an intimate gig as requested by Eddi. And Blazin Fiddles described in The Scotsman newspaper as “The Led Zeppelin of the folk scene” – ask anyone who’s has seen them, they will bring the house down at the Friday night Concert & Ceilidh.
I
dlewild lead singer Roddy Woomble, in a mirror image of Ricky Ross at a similar time last year, has recently released his solo album to top class reviews. Roddy has been moving towards a more folk/acoustic approach playing with folk scene favourites Kate Rusby on “The Girl who Couldn’t fly” and also some collaborations with Karine Polwart. However this has not dampened his enthusiasm for his rock band. Idlewild who have survived with some dignity and quality since the 1990s. “The Remote Part” and “Warnings and Promises” illustrate perfectly the stadium sound they perfected during their tours supporting Pearl Jam and REM in American and British mega stadiums. Audiences in the Victoria Hall can look forward to a professional and stunning set from the band.

“Doon the green” will experience a make over with the introduction of more music from “The Hugh Trowsers Band”, “Saggy Trousers” (what is the fascination with trousers?), Samba ya Bamba, drumming outfit for the jungle drums of the festival summer season and well known to Campbeltonians, Box O’ Bananas. Watch out for more in posters around the town.

The festival club is another new introduction from last year, which has kept travelling ‘minstrels’ on their toes during the day and given a stage to some of these session musicians who keep the folk scene alive.

Favourites remaining are the Young Folk Night, the Festival Parade, Dalriada Connections Concert, the Burnside Square concerts and the ever popular Survivors Night on Sunday headlined this year by Campbeltown outfit The Favourites. Throughout the whole weekend you can also hear the talented performers of Campbeltown’s brass and pipe bands.
You really can’t go wrong this year taking part in the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival. This is entertainment at its best with participation as the key and the best in the Scottish indeed the world music scene in the town over the weekend of 17th to 20th Aug.

Tickets are available for the Idlewild concert from TicketWeb at www.ticketweb.co.uk or by phoning 08700 600 100. Tickets for the Young Folk Night, Festival Concert/Ceilidh and Dalriada Connections concert can be obtained from A.P. Taylors, Main Street Campbeltown.
See you there.

[4th gen Suthen']

The Hugh Trowsers Band are brilliant...........go see the Hugh Trowsers Band "Doon the Green"

[jane59]

I`ll definately be there singing along .......living the dream lalalalaladada