The success of a one-off music festival has left bosses at one of Scotland’s best-known distilleries musing on a repeat performance.
The celebration of all things 80s proved so successful its organisers are keen to see the event return, possibly in two years’ time in a bid to avoid a clash with the London Olympics.
Katy Stollery, one of the organisers of the Famous Grouse festival, said: “The Glorious 12th proved to be just that for the first-ever Famous Grouse Festival, despite the weather.
“With over 1,000 people attending, the festival was a great success and feedback from both artists and consumers alike has been very complimentary.
“The purpose of the festival was to mark the end of our year-long celebration of the fact The Famous Grouse has been the number one selling whisky in Scotland for the past 30 years.
“However, given the success of the festival and how well the distillery lends itself as a venue for this type of boutique event, we are now looking at opportunities for running other events of this type in the future.
“We are currently taking time to evaluate the festival and we will make an announcement about this in due course.”
In addition to some stunning live music, the festival also offered a variety of additional entertainments of a kind not commonly seen at music festivals, all taking the distillery as their inspiration.
Famous Grouse master blender Gordon Motion held exclusive whisky tastings, while mixologist Andy Gemmell best known for his regular appearances on the Hour conducted cocktail-making demonstrations.
Photo Phil Hannah.
The Famous Grouse Festival brought an international audience to the whisky-maker’s Crieff visitor centre this month.
More than 1000 fans enjoyed the surroundings and braved inclement weather as they were entertained by a variety of top artists.
Former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro, Dundee’s own Michael Marra and Bay City Roller Eric Faulkner all took to the stage on the first night.
The weekend lineup proved even more popular, with hundreds of people watching ex-Speedway frontwoman Jill Jackson, rockers Glasvegas, Gaelic stars Manran and headliners Skerryvore.
The organisers were delighted with the quality of the artists, the crowds and with the atmosphere and have also been impressed with the venue’s suitability for such events.
Despite a few hitches, such as the weather, some spotty sound quality and according to some festivalgoers a lack of awareness outwith Tayside and Fife, they are keen to revisit the idea.
It has been a difficult time for music festivals across the UK and in particular for fledgling ones seeking a place in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Last June, Aberdeen’s Northern Lights Music Festival was cancelled just four weeks before music fans were due to descend upon the city.
Some figures within the UK festival scene have claimed that there are now too many festivals packing into the annual calendar to make each and every one a viable business proposition. However, the Grouse experience has shown there is still room for a quality specialist festival or music event.
Perthshire itself appears to be something of a draw, also hosting the first Rewind Festival at Scone Palace, which attracted more than 20,000 revellers keen to step back in time.
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