By Cheryl Wood

TICKETS FOR Anstruther’s acclaimed annual music festival have been snapped up within eight minutes of going on sale.

The 200 tickets for Fence Collective’s Homegame 2008 went on sale on Monday and were in such hot demand the East Neuk record label’s website crashed due to the number of people attempting to log on.

The tiny festival is in its fifth year and has attracted a strong following, with music lovers travelling from London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and even from abroad to attend.

Over 400 people descended on Anstruther last year for both weekends of the festival, which saw a surprise appearance from ex-Scritti Politti frontman Green Gartside, who performed alongside Hot Chip singer, Alexis Taylor.

This year the tickets caused an even bigger flurry than usual as the number has been slashed due a reduction in capacity of the main venue, Anstruther Town Hall.

The 2008 event—from March 28 to 30—will see a series of gigs in smaller venues, including local pubs.

But plans are afoot for a much larger festival next year, which could see around 2000 music fans flock to the picturesque corner of Fife.

Festival organiser Jonny Lynch said he was thrilled that the tickets had been snapped up so quickly and that Monday morning, when they went on sale, had been manic.

“It goes to show the demand for something like this in Fife. Part of the appeal for people is coming to a place outside of the cities.”

This year’s line up includes a special guest, whose identity has been kept under wraps, and Jonny refused to be drawn on speculation it might be KT Tunstall, a long-time friend of Fence Collective founder Kenny Anderson, who performs as King Creosote.

However, he did say the guest would be a big crowd-puller.

Organisers of Homegame are already scouting about for a spot for next year’s festival, which could be in a large tent.

Jonny said, “It would be really good to have a really decent festival in Fife. We are looking for a site, we are keen to do something a bit bigger. We think there is a demand there for something bigger.

“We have a good hardcore audience. Most people travel from Edinburgh, Glasgow and London but we would like to get some of the local people too.

“We have found some locations which would be ideal but it’s a question of how to go about getting them.”

Small venues would also feature on the programme as the collective is keen to retain the intimate ambience it is known for and the relationship it has built up with local businesses.

Those who have missed out on a ticket for Homegame 2008 may still be able to get to a series of gigs Fence Collective is holding in Edinburgh and Glasgow later in the year.