The organisers of Scotland’s biggest celebration of American roots are hoping that a new late-night club concept will create a real festival feel.
Two top double bills are expected to be among the highlights of this year’s Southern Fried Festival, which takes place on July 22-24.
The organisers’ plan for events to continue until 2am will test members of Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing committee, who in the past have proved resistant to late events and opening.
In the past even The Black Watch Ball has had to fight committee members to ensure the event kept its original format and late finish. Southern Fried organisers, however, believe that the late opening is essential to its ‘festival club’ concept.
They have applied for a temporary public entertainment licence enabling events to run until 2am.
That would allow audiences to buy food and drink until late as they enjoy acts including Justin Townes Earle and Abigail Washburn and The Village on the Friday and Mavericks frontman Raul Malo and the Savoy Family Cajun Band on the Saturday.
Perth Theatre has a licence for entertainment until 12.30am, while council policy is to have public entertainment end by 1am at the latest.
A Southern Fried spokesman said, “The festival club is an absolutely crucial part of the festival programme.
“It will allow us to present audiences with new acts in an informal social space where they can move freely between the bar and live music in the theatre, as well as mingle with festival performers.
“The club will provide the buzz and the added value that will make it a genuine festival experience rather than just a series of concerts.
“To make Southern Fried an especially attractive event, we want to pack in as much music as possible over the weekend and encourage festival-goers to stay on in the city overnight and ideally, for the entire weekend.
“The last start is necessary to allow concert-goers attending early evening events to see the entire line-up. We also hope it will foster a uniquely relaxed ambience not normally available in Perth.”
Four-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett tops the bill at the fourth annual celebration of Americana.
Also on the menu is a selection of top musicians from home and abroad, including The Blind Boys Of Alabama and Iris Dement, as well as a selection of free workshops, smaller gigs and singalongs.
For full listings see www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk.