Festival talent ready to shine

Hot gossip from the local music scene

This weekend coming sees the return of the Prestwick’s own music festival.

The event, which is entirely funded by the local business community, is a roaring success and is a win- win for local businesses and musicians alike as every performer is paid and the local pubs, restaurants and hostelries do a roaring trade as thousands of people enjoy the event all over Prestwick.

Venues include Murray’s Cafe, Cecchinis, The Red Lion, Caprice, The RAFA Club, David Armstrong Stylists and Elliots.

Performers this year include The Stumblers, Long Day Living, Esperanza, Wull and the Wild Horse, Acoustic Beatles, Dumb Instrument, Kevin Noon, Sean Kennedy, Jamie Angus, Up In Smoke, Azure Halo, Zulu, Soldier On, Kinks Experience, Seaside Sons, The Cairds, Royal Bloom, SAVALAS, The Misses, Slider, Well Fired Rolls, Second Suns, DeadEyes and so much more.

It’s going to be an incredible time at Prestfest, there’s only one place to be this weekend in Ayrshire.

• Hundreds were in attendance for the bi- annual Bandwagon night at Ayr’s SoundMagic Studios at the weekend.

Music fans from all over the ‘ Shire attended the popular event which saw over 20 bands performing original music to a highly enthusiastic audience.

Bands including The Ranzas, The Ronains, Second Suns, Pelikan Rogue and Royal Bloom royally rocked the place and the variety of genres and performers goes to show just why SoundMagic’s Bandwagon events are so popular with the unique setting of the event proving to be a big hit with music fans.

SoundMagic owner, Baz Thomson, said: “Thank you very much to everyone who performed and came along, it was a fantastic event and it turned out even better than I could have hoped.

“The studio is now on the map as a proper venue and we’ll be looking to increase the volume of events while maintaining and improving the rehearsal and recording setup we already have.

“Things are looking very positive and a well done to all the performers you were amazing!”

The Voice Finalists ‘ Into The Ark’ will be performing in Ayrshire this Friday August at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine.

The talented Welsh duo, aka Taylor Jones and Dane Lloyd, were a big hit on the show proving to be highly popular with fellow Welshman and mentor Tom Jones.

Indeed the boys will be performing at the famous Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow in support of Tom the following night ( Saturday).

The pair spent time busking around Australia prior to entering The Voice and came across the radar of music impresarios Brendan Moon and Mike Bawden, who manage Paolo Nutini.

With rising popularity on YouTube and meetings with Sony Record executives the pair found themselves on The Voice, alongside Ayrshire singer Craig Ward and the duo romped to the final.

Tickets are available from the show’s promoters www. freckfest. co. uk or direct from the HAC on 01294 274059.