Another great music festival… though I realise that the Survivors’ Nights is going on as I type, but some of us have work/ school tomorrow, and a few miles from Kintyre at that. Some day (when the kids have left home, probably) we hope to make it along.
Anyway, a big “Well Done” to the organisers – the committee and all volunteers do such great work – and they deserve all the credit that they get, and probably lots of praise that they don’t hear, too! We should never take for granted the effort they put in to make this Music Festival the success that it is.
The judgements on the Burnside Bash and rescheduling the Parade were the right ones, I am sure. Only an experienced committee would be brave enough to take these difficult decisions.
Highlights for me this year were:
Lots more sessions and live music in the pubs – there was a criticism in some quarters last year, I recall, that this feature had faded – if that was the case then it was certainly remedied in 2007.
Arthur Johnstone singing Bandiera Rossa in the White Hart on Saturday. His version on The Laggan’s album “I am the Common Man” is THE standard … anyone anywhere who wants to sing this socialist anthem would refer to Arthur’s rendition to get it right.
The open stage performances in the Festival Club/ Town Hall on Saturday afternoon – this event benefited from the cancellation of “Doon the Green”, with bigger, appreciative audiences. Great tea and coffee service too … maybe the General should get along to this event – no alcohol, and all
Skerryvore in the Vic on Friday night … must confess to a wee bit of bias here, since I have seen them more times than I can count, probably first in 2004, when they were only a three-piece band. In my view they are possibly the best ceilidh band in Scotland (and so possibly the world!) right now. They put on a great show, and really got the Vic going (as Kintyre 84 said elsewhere). Really loved seeing that they went down so well in the town.
When I spoke to Daniel from the band later on he was full of praise for the organisation, and in particular the sound and lighting. They play at lots of festivals/ events like the MOK Fest, and often the sound engineering is sadly wanting. What is also very good is that they tell the other bands that they meet on the circuit that Campbeltown is well kitted out, and this must help us to secure good acts in future.
Again, thanks to everyone involved!