MEMORIES

Friday 21 July

Another fantastic concert took place at Darvel Town Hall on the 21st of July. First up was the wonderful US blues guitarist/vocalist Hamilton Loomis ably assisted by his powerhouse bass and drum duo, Mike Meade and Jamie Little. After a 90 minute set of blistering blues and a short break the amazing music icon Hamish Stuart took to the stage and delivered a feast of soul with his superb backing band James Brown is Annie. This Blues and Soul concert was of the highest calibre and our appreciative audience enjoyed every minute!

Thanks to all of you who came along to the show and special thanks to Kevin Kerr Photography for the brilliant pics.

Saturday 20 May

Another great night of music in Darvel courtesy of the excellent Black Rose who wowed the packed crowd  with a note perfect rendition of Thin Lizzy’s masterpiece 'Live & Dangerous’. From the classic opening chords of ‘Jailbreak’ through the rock and swagger of ‘Emerald’, ‘Dancin in the Moonlight’ and ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ to the slow blues of ‘Still in Love With You’ and the final ringing notes of ‘Black Rose’, the band replicated the sound and energy of arguably the best rock band to come out of Eire. Of course we also were also treated to ‘Whisky In The Jar’ which went down a storm with the appreciative Darvel audience.

Black Rose Are:

Eddie Steadman: Bass & Lead Vocals
David Bateman: Guitars/Vocals
Craig Stewart: Guitars/Vocals
Gordon McLeod: Drums & Percussion 
Stuart Coleman: Keyboards & Sax

Festival Festivities…

Photographs by Kevin Kerr Photography

Five hundred music fans travelled from far and wide to enjoy a great weekend of live music at Darvel Town Hall. 

Friday 2 December was a sell-out show and the audience was enthralled by stunning performances from the Cameron Barnes Band and recent Scottish Trad Awards ‘best live band’ winners Skerryvore. On Saturday 3 December the town hall was once again busy as four excellent bands took to the stage. Kardo kicked off proceedings followed by the Railwaymen, the Byson Family and King of Birds. This community concert received grant assistance from the National Lottery Community Fund and East Ayrshire Council. The Darvel Music Company would like to thank both for their generous funding support.

We would like to dedicate the 21st Anniversary Darvel Music Festival with much love and affection in memory of Billy McGuffie and Sandy Mair, dear friends who always supported us. Sadly missed but forever with us in spirit.

We have been on an incredible journey over the past twenty one years since 2002 when the first ever Darvel Music Festival took place as part of the town’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Since then the Festival has continued to grow from strength to strength and has attracted over four hundred regional, national and international artistes. Many of these acts performed Scotland or UK only gigs at Darvel which resulted in an influx of music fans from across Britain, Europe, the USA and even Japan. This has been significant in terms of increasing the prestige of the Festival, gaining plaudits from the National media and recognition across the Scottish music scene. More importantly the Festival has played its part in regenerating our wonderful town by boosting the local economy.

If you'd like to help us to put on great shows in the future, please consider making a donation to assist us.

Darvel Class Acts
Rolling back the years!

Although we look forward to our new musical beginnings it is good to look back with satisfaction over the past 20 years of the Darvel Music Festival. Launched in 2002 by our friend and fellow music lover Lynn Brown, the festival eventually featured over 400 acts and most musical genres, including;

Paul Carrack, Eric Bibb, Love and Money, Hue and Cry, Richmond Fontaine, Hamish Stuart, Glenn Tilbrook, Larry Carlton, Big Dish, The Silencers, Martin Taylor, The La Fontaines, Justin Currie, James Grant, Nigel Clark, Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain, Capercaillie, Skerryvore, Ruby Turner, Maggie Bell, Eddi Reader, JJ Gilmour, Roddy Hart, Karine Polwart, Gary Louris, Mark Olsen, Larry McCray Band, The Phantom Band, Koshka, Hamilton Loomis, Endrick Brothers, Iain Morrison, King King, The Blues Band, Steve Ferrone, Molly Duncan, Kokomo, Peatbog Faeries, The Mull Historical Society, The Coal Porters and many more….

Photo Accreditations: Nathan B Photography, Jim Stevenson Photography, Stuart Robertson, Jay Mansfield, Kevin Kerr and Gordon Ingle