Every/thing’s gone mmfi‘ms
IN SCOTLAND' have more money because they're not going on that extra holiday or buying a car this year. They're getting out there and enjoying themselves, though.'
Of course, you can't do commercial dance
. music on a budget, particularly not arena Far from staying in and savrng, the economic downturn trance of the kind headliner Ferry ('orstcn, aka just makes some of us want to party. David Pollock finds SWcm P: TM” “0 ”mm“ W" h'"? ‘“ ”W party this year. A showcase for the Dutchman's third album under his own name, Twice in a Blue Moon, ('orstcn's set will be a Ferry Corsten . . , ~ g ' big-budget spectacular of the kind we've come ’ to associate with acts like Tiesto and Paul Van Dyk. ‘You won't see anything like this at another dance event in Scotland,' says McGowan proudly. ‘Lasers don't really work in Braehead, but we've got an Llil) wall, confetti cannons, gas cannons — no one will be disappointed, put it that way.'
McGowan certainly seems happy with the way Coloursfest ‘09 is shaping up. The l(),()()() capacity event is spread over six arenas, with the main one — a team—up of big Scots clubbing brands Colours and Inside Out ,, presenting Showtek, Markus Schulz and the ever-popular Judge Jules. Gatecrasher are behind an outdoor stage with Dave Pearce and Matt Hardwick at the top of the bill, Meganite's arena features Mauro Picotto and Ricardo Ferri, while Tidy will be presenting Alex Kidd and Lab 4.
For fans of the styles Coloursfest specialises in, it's a strong and varied line-up, with the old school rave crowd catered to by Back to the Future (with Ultra-Sonic, Art of Fighters and Hyperbass), while the more commercial Streetrave (featuring Rowlla, Alison Limerick and K-Klass) celebrate their 20th anniversary here. With more than 50 artists appearing and a projected l(),0()() people turning up, McGowan is as happy not getting any bigger as he is not being forced to downsize by the economy.
‘We’ve got a perfect venue, with some nice scenery around and great outdoor and indoor
hese straitened times seem to be we were last year,‘ says Ricky McGowan, stages. That’s perfect for us, when you treacherous ones for festivals, but the promoter of Coloursfest, ‘and it’s the same consider how changeable the Scottish weather last thing we need to get us in the mood with our Colours night at the Arches, it’s as is.’ for summer fun is a story about another call- big as it’s ever been. I don't know if it's off. How about a bit of feelgood news instead? because people are so depressed they just have Coloursfost is at Braohead Arena, ‘We’re already up 700 ticket sales on where to get out the house, or whether they actually Glasgow, Sat 6 Jun.
that Coloursfest'O9 are the perfect hosts
EDINBURGII EDINBURGH WY FRINGE FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FESTIVAL
mm 14 Aug—6 Sep, Various 15-16Aug,Mansfieid 7431 Aug, Various venues. Edinburgh, Traquir Centre. venues, Edinburgh, www.eit.co.uk Edinburgh. www.myal www.tringe.co.uk Classical. dance. theatre and milewhiskiescom
The greatest show on visual arts in this international A tippler's dream.
earth rols ‘nto town. bonanza of talent.
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WING LIVE EDINBURGH E111 FESTIVAL DEA!" IUSIC FESTIVAL 10-16 Aug, Various venues, mm noox 15 Aug, Royal Himland Centre, Edinburgh Glasgow. mu BigdarxzerrmsiciactivalpackethmaIityDJ www.pipingfestival.co.uk 15431 Aug, Various venues. action over nine arenas. Line-ix) includes Cat Editors and Ocean Colour Put that in your pipe and saw Cox, Above 8- Beyond, Adamski. Nightmares on Scene offer their smoke it! The pipemeisters Lnefary giants from around the Wax, Frankie Knuckles, Derrick May. Danny contribution to a hefty Iine- take a deep breath and get gobe show up in Charlotte Rarnpl'ng, Darren Emerson, Fergie, Herman up of acts. ready for action. Square. Cattaneo. Roger Sanchez and many more.
SOT'IIELIST28May—11 Jun2009