Bands check-in as Scotland’s latest music festival takes off…

Bands check-in as Scotland’s latest music festival takes off…

Bands from across the country are about to check-in at Glasgow Airport for the launch of Scotland’s latest, and most unusual, music festival.

Launched on Thursday (15 July), ‘Airplay’ is Glasgow Airport’s festival of music, taking place over the next four weeks, with a prize of £1,000 for the most popular performer. It’s the first time a Scottish airport has hosted a series of summer concerts for passengers.

The Scottish gateway hopes to mirror the success of Austin Bergstrom Airport in Texas, which regularly hosts music events as part of the internationally renowned South by Southwest festival.

The competition will see 24 acts compete over a series of heats, with four acts going through to a live final on Thursday 12 August. A panel of independent judges will determine which act will be crowned Airplay winners and receive a cheque for £1,000.

Around 100 acts originally entered the competition. The remaining 24 – mostly from Scotland, with one act from Northern Ireland – will each perform three songs during a live set in front of passengers. The travelling public will get a chance to vote for their favourite acts using a specially designed webpage which can be accessed by visiting www.glasgowcityofmusic.com

Airport bosses have launched the festival to highlight Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO City of Music, awarded in 2008 because of the region’s rich musical heritage.

The west of Scotland has given rise to some of Scottish music’s biggest names, including Aztec Camera, Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, Deacon Blue, Del Amitri, Glasvegas, Hue and Cry, Lulu, Texas, Travis and Paolo Nutini.

Glasgow Airport’s Terminal manager Mark Johnston hopes the event could become a regular feature in the city’s music calendar.

He said: “Glasgow Airport is always looking for innovative ways to entertain its passengers, and we think Airplay is the perfect vehicle. As well as providing free entertainment for passengers, Airplay is a fantastic showcase for young, aspiring bands who will get the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of passengers from around the world.

“We have been inundated with entries from across the country, and we’re delighted that Glasgow Airport is the first in Scotland to host a music festival of this kind. If all goes well, Airplay could become a regular event during the summer months.”

The event is being supported by UNESCO City of Music, The Academy of Music and Sound, production company Artist Media Ltd, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Glasgow based Creation Studios.

Louise Mitchell, Director of UNESCO City of Music, said: “Glasgow has a strong and proud musical heritage and Airplay is a fantastic way to celebrate the contribution the city has made, and continues to make, to the UK music scene.”

Damian Beattie, Manager of the Academy of Music and Sound in Glasgow, added: “This is a great initiative from Glasgow Airport and we’re delighted to have played our part in bringing the idea to fruition. We see real potential in this festival becoming a regular fixture in the city’s music calendar. It will really help to cement Glasgow’s status as the UK’s music capital.”

Mark Johnston added: “This is a unique event, made possible thanks to the support and enthusiasm of our partners, particularly UNESCO City of Music and The Academy of Music and Sound. There are sounds to suit every taste and we’re sure that passengers will enjoy the festival. Hopefully it will give our international passengers a fantastic last impression of the city and of Scotland.”

Check out Airplay on Facebook – http://bit.ly/cj7pi1