Festival fever for West End as line-up announced
THE West End Festival will this year feature more than 400 events including Queen of Funk Chaka Khan who has sold 70 million records worldwide.
The US recording artist has a career spanning five decades and has won 10 Grammy awards.
There will also be a new free family event in Kelvingrove Park called the Big Sunday.
Other highlights will include Kool and the Gang, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers and Voice @ the Bandstand with at least 10 choirs and choral groups.
Also new this year is a series of free community events held at venues including the pedestrian zone in Vinnicombe Street and the Botanic Gardens.
The month-long festival kicks off on June 3 with an opening party at the bandstand in Kelvingrove Park.
The bandstand will also host the Cinema Club which runs from June 5-8, a vintage bus service will operate free of charge on June 25 and the Great Get Together culminating in the Big Lunch.
Once again, the traditional festival parade will be missing due to the cost of staging the event.
Festival chairwoman Liz Scobie said: “The West End Festival is almost a month long, jam packed with an eclectic mix of events. It is about different venues and people from across Glasgow and beyond coming to the West End to enjoy the very best of talent, unique venues and the fun atmosphere it creates every year.
“There is something for everyone and we look forward to seeing new and return festival goers in June.
“We can’t ignore the fact the parade won’t be returning this year but as costs increase year on year it is just not possible.”
Festival director Michael Dale said Kelvingrove Bandstand will once again play a key role in outdoor music events and has a packed programme. He added: “Local community gala days are also prominent, from Maryhill to Partick and areas in between.
“The festival spirit is high as we see more creative events being submitted than ever.
“It is a real pleasure to work with so many different venues and communities to bring the programme together.”