The countdown is on for the highly anticipated Killin Music Fest, which will see the scenic village in the heart of Scotland come alive with music, arts and culture between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 June.
Showcasing and celebrating the best of Scottish tradition, the festival will welcome local, national and international musicians to its stages, while a variety of community, heritage, arts and family-friendly activities will keep crowds of all ages entertained across next weekend.
Since its inception in 2016, Killin Music Fest has always attracted the best in Scottish music to the stunning western banks of Loch Tay, and this year will be no different. Stornoway electro-celtic band Face The West, world-folk quartet Dallahan and talented folk-singer Josie Duncan will take to the TRS Main Stage on the festival’s Friday night, while Saturday will see uber talented Kirsten Adamson and electrifying rock act Raintown captivate crowds, with the unstoppable musical duo Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton closing the show.
Norrie MacIver will headline Celtic Kin at the TRS Main Stage on Sunday, with sets from Welsh folk-singer Gwylim Bowen Rhys, fantastic Unity Irish Dance group and more delighting audiences in the evening.
The festival’s free to access Danny Kyle Stage, presented by Tolbooth, will celebrate even more exciting musical talent throughout each day, with the likes of Lori, Maria McAveety, Midlife Crisis and Moonlight Zoo set to perform.
A wide range of fringe activities will also run across the 2,000-capacity festival, designed to celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of Scotland. Saturday’s line up includes a craft fair at Killin Parish Church, a Highland Hustle workout session at McLaren Hall and a range of exciting, immersive activities for kids at Killin Sports Pavillion, all of which are free to attend.
Graduate of Bird College UK in London and Sky 1’s Got to Dance finalist, Emily Crow will also host a free one hour dance workshop session for kids aged 6-12 on Saturday, giving attendees a chance to learn from a world, British and European champion in both freestyle and slow dance.
With the help of funding from Creative Scotland, Killin Music Fest’s traditional Sunday schedule has had an impressive revamp this year, now under the banner of Celtic Kin. Weaving in performances in Welsh, Scots, Irish dance and Gaelic, the programme will celebrate areas of shared culture in a showcase of talent amplified by the festival’s platform.
Sunday morning will also see Doune Pipe Band lead onlookers to McLaren Hall’s community stage where the family favourite Col Charles Stewart Competition will take place. Named after Stewart, a prominent figure in Killin and Perthshire who helped to preserve and promote local history, folklore and music, the competition accepts any performance of music, poetry or stories which celebrate the local area.
Festival Director Gregor MacKenzie said: “With just one week to go until things kick off, it’s energising to see all the final preparations coming together for Killin Music Festival 2023! The festival definitely has a sense of community at its core, and is a real celebration of Scotland’s varied and dynamic culture, with music and activities to cater to all tastes.
“We’re very excited about our fringe programme of events this year, which is inclusive and diverse, designed to get everyone involved. As always, we are looking forward to the Col Charles Stewart competition, which encourages locals and visitors to celebrate and appreciate the rich culture and history of the area.
“We’d all like to say a big thank you to everyone who has made this year’s festival possible, we can’t wait to see you and get the celebrations started this Friday!”
For the first time since its inception in 2016, Killin Music Fest is offering a camping service for 2023, with a limited number of tent and campervan spaces available. Located around 350 metres from the festival grounds, the campsite will open at noon on Friday 16 June and close at noon on Monday 19 June 2023. Camping passes are available for Main Stage wristband holders and can be purchased via kmf23.wescantickets.com.
Killin Music Fest will take place between Friday 16th and Sunday 18th June. Tickets are still available at killinmusicfest.com.
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