Creetown Country Music Festival
The Creetown Country Music Festival is Scotland’s largest country music festival, and, now in its 12th year, it is one of the most established. Our festival has grown in size and ambition over the years.
We have listened and learned from our visitors what they like and what they don’t, and this year we have spent more time than ever in making sure we create a festival that we can truly be proud of.
The live music programme features a mix of festival favourites such as Texas Gun and John McCane, and new friends like The Hanks and Country Sisters, a popular European girl group who will be making their UK debut at the Creetown Festival.
This year’s marquee, The Big Tepee, is the largest yet. It provides plenty of room for line dancing, waltzing cowboys & cowgirls and country music acts, with lots of seating and tables for anyone who wants to take a break, enjoy some refreshments and take in the entertainment. All the ticketed music will be performed here.
Children Welcome
Children are welcome in the Big Tepee, but please respect the licensing laws:
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
On Saturday, outdoor entertainment, including music and line-dancing, will also take place in the newly refurbished Square - now a paved, traffic-free area with its own permanent bandstand.
Nominee in the British Country Music Awards, Brian Hughes is returning to Creetown with his band the LoneSharks. With three album releases and a fourth currently in production, Scottish songwriter Brian promises a live, kick-ass rockin’ show and said:
“We’re really looking forward to the 2008 festival, it’s a lovely place to meet up with old friends and make new ones within a wonderful setting in a beautiful part of the country.
The organisers, stage crew and audience are very friendly and supportive and the area surrounding the festival town of Creetown has tremendous beauty and many places of interest to visit. A friendly welcome and a top class programme await both returning and first time visitors.”
Northern Irish Fiddler Adam is another returnee to the event. The 6ft 5in cowboy plays bluegrass country fiddle and signs, and his repertoire includes Thank God I’m a Country Boy, The Gambler, Country Roads, the Devil Went Down to Georgia and lots of fast bluegrass fiddle tunes. Fiddler Adam says:
“I am looking forward to meeting all the wonderful people who I have met before, both at the Creetown Country Music Festival and at other shows I have played at. My act and programme are suited to all ages young and old, you can either sit and listen, clap your hands, kick your feet or feel free to go mad, dancing or jumping around the place. I enjoy myself when I perform and that comes across in my performance, because I put so much energy into my show.”
New to UK audiences is the popular European girl group Country Sisters. The band has been playing in its current line up since 2004 and promise the audience swinging, clogging, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, instrument acrobatic movement and lots of surprises. All the members of the band are gifted musicians and dancers, and their set features a cross section of country music styles from traditional classical country style to the latest modern hits, cajun, bluegrass and gospel to rock'n'roll. Wireless transmission for instruments and microphones enables a great freedom of movement and dancing in country style on stage, and a succession of outfits and costumes add to the visual appeal of their live performances.
We have also responded to requests from loyal festival goers to help fill day-times with fun and activities as much as the evenings. This year there is more on offer throughout the weekend than ever before, with new activities being added to the programme continually. Check the Programme page or our Blog for the latest news, or even better, pick up a copy of our official Festival Programme as soon as you arrive!
Creetown Country Plus
New for 2008 is Creetown Country Plus, a Sunday afternoon and evening of some of the UK’s best live tribute artists which is being trialled this year to encourage local people to attend the event. We recognise that many loyal country music fans have concerns about the inclusion of tribute acts, but our aim is to encourage day trippers and local people to join in and experience the festival as much as possible, and you never know, we might convert a few to a new found appreciation of country!
We hope you’ll join us in Creetown this year to be part of making the Creetown Country Music Festival the warm, welcoming and fun filled event that makes it such a joy to be part of.