City’s Big welcome for 20,000 revellers

Music lovers will descend on Perth for two-day festival at Scone Palace to be broadcast on TV and radio

The biggest event ever to be held at Scone Palace will be life changing for young locals, organisers have pledged.

Thousands of people will descend on Perth today and tomorrow for BBC’s Biggest Weekend.

Preparations are well under way for the two-day festival, which kicks off with Radio 3’s classical music showcase, featuring Nigel Kennedy and Evelyn Glennie.

Tomorrow 20,000 people will pour into the grounds for the sold-out main event, when acts including Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Simple Minds and Emile Sandé will take to the stage.

Around 500 staff members from security to catering are expected to attend over the weekend and 400 have already been involved in setting up the arena over the last 10 days.

Yesterday event manager Colin Rodger said: “This will be a life-changing experience for a lot of young people who live in the area.

“It’s a family-friendly event but still to the highest possible standard and for many of them it will be their first experience of a festival atmosphere, right on their doorstep.

“It’s not just for locals though. As it will be broadcast on TV and radio it has to be fit for a worldwide audience so all of the equipment is second to none.

“It is the standard you would get at a world tour for Beyoncé or Bruce Springsteen.”

Colin encouraged people to make the most of the balmy weather forecast by attending the Radio 3 event, as tickets are still available on the door.

“We were under no illusions, we knew Saturday would be the most popular but the Radio 3 event is going to be dynamic and interesting,” he said.

“It will be something different for a lot of people and I think anyone who goes not really knowing what to expect will be so glad they did. We want people to make the most of the event being here so it would be great for people to come along.”

It is thought the Biggest Weekend will boost the local economy by around £1 million and many of the staff at the festival, including security and catering, are from the Perth and Kinross area.

The Scone gathering is one of four events being held across the UK this weekend, with others happening in Belfast, Swansea and Coventry.

Stephen Brannigan, head of house opening at Scone Palace, said: “This is the first time the palace has entertained a BBC event so it’s fantastic to have it here. It’s a huge event for Perth and Kinross.

“This is the most prestigious event that we have had on the estate, it will have global coverage and links in with the other three venues across the UK.

“It’s unique, both for the BBC and ourselves and it’s absolutely great to be involved.”

This is the most prestigious event that we have had on the estate