Superb times at Prestfest
I had a superb weekend in Prestwick for the 5th annual Prestfest.
This year was the busiest I’ve seen it and with it being nearly impossible to get a drink in some places I have to say for the pub owners and local business community it seemed to be a roaring success.
Organiser Drew McCormack told me: “Thanks to everyone who came out and played, everyone who came out to hear lots of talented musicians from the grass roots music scene and to Prestwick itself which has really taken Prestfest to heart over the past few years.
“For me it’s all about putting community at the heart of any event and certainly Prestfest has done this so triumphantly and enthusiastically over the years. I will be stepping down from running things at the event next year but entrust the running of the event to local musicians and Prestfest supporters Michael Carroll, Rikki McKay, Scott Russell and friends and I wish them all the best.
“On behalf of myself and everyone who has helped to make Prestfest a superb event for all the community thank you very much and I know it will go from strength to strength.”
It really was a very busy weekend with gigs all over Prestwick with so much to enjoy and experience.
Memphis fairly rocked the roof off in Caprice on Saturday evening and local favourite Nick Morgan went down a storm at Scruffy Duffy’s. It’s an exhausting but rewarding experience. If I could make one suggestion for next year it would be to have a big open air concert, perhaps at the Oval. I reckon that would be a fantastic way to build on an already great festival.
Talking about great local festivals with friendly vibes it’s not long until Live@ Troon returns from 8th to 11th September. I became a fan of the festival a few years ago and was impressed with the progressive programming and community bonhomie. This year the programme includes Scottish genius poppers Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 who could get a party started anywhere.
Scottish hip- hop stars Hector Bizerk and two of Ayrshire’s finest, Soldier On and Crash Club. That line up has got party written all over it.
Hit The Road, a youth initiative working with some of the best new talent around, is coming to Ayrshire.
Performing at the YUC, Dalry Road in Kilwinning on Saturday 20th August include Ayrshire young talents on the up November Lights.
Edinburgh based band Skjør ( pronounced ‘ sure’) will be taking to the stage and Five Cousins from Renfrew complete the line- up. The Hit The Road tour in August will be their first experience of touring across Scotland.
Well done to Yvonne McLellan for bringing Hit the Road to Ayrshire.
It’s important that we bring nationally recognised music initiatives as well as musicians on the up and stars to Ayrshire. It’s fantastic to see that there is a continued interest in both the development as well as the investment and enthusiasm for music and music culture in Ayrshire. The more we value our music culture the better we see them as playing a vital part in our towns and communities.
www. littlefiremusic. com