Oh yes, I’m looking forward to FyneFest in 2024…

It’s only 2 months away and once again I’m lucky enough to be the host and MC on the ‘Main stage’ and in the ‘Mixtape Lounge’. I’ll be announcing the bands onstage, getting the crowd cheering and ready to boogie, as we all sup the ‘Fyne-est’ beer in the land. I’ll be dropping some dancefloor destroyers in my Friday Night DJ set too. I can almost guarantee that I will utter the immortal words ‘Make Some Noise’ at some point over the weekend… You have been warned!

Having scoured the globe attending festivals my entire adult life, I tend to be quite choosy about what I attend these days. I’ve seen thousands of bands and DJ’s and enjoyed all-sorts of atmospheres, from San Francisco to Barcelona and way beyond. But I have to say, after attending last year for the first time, FyneFest is an event like no other. Let me list 5 great things in no particular order:

·         Beautiful location – it takes place in a natural amphitheatre of hills, trees and rivers in the beautiful surroundings of Glen Fyne. Last year the weather was perfect – fingers crossed for the same in 2024.

·         Incredible beer – obviously it does what it says on the tin! Primarily a beer festival, the enormous bar of over 60 taps in the main stage tent is awe-inspiring. Oh and there’s lovely cider and wine, for those who prefer those. You will definitely NOT go thirsty!

·         Excellent stages and sound-systems – considering this started as a beer festival alone, the quality of the sound at the stages is great. With friendly staff and volunteers around to help, it is chilled-out but super professional. With an eclectic array of well-known and unknown, the artists get to sound good wherever they are on the bill.

·         Delicious food – believe it or not in this day and age at some festivals, the food trucks and stalls aren’t up to much. Not so here. At FyneFest, I experienced some of the best festival food I’d ever had. From Loch Fyne oysters to gourmet coffee via top notch tacos, it was a great spread of tastes and flavours.

·         Diverse mix of people and a relaxed, unpretentious vibe – a proper festival is defined by the people who go there and FyneFest was exceptional. Polite, friendly and stress-free, those who attended seemed to be in the right spirit. Never too drunk or obnoxious, with families and friends all intermingling, everyone seemed to be simply enjoying good drinks, chat and music in a wonderful location.

Music wise, in 2023 I thoroughly enjoyed sets by Pictish Trail, Miracle Glass Company, Bombskare, Butter, Maranta and Logan’s Close amongst many others. This year, my pick of the bunch is probably Elephant Sessions, The Joy Hotel, Karine Polwart, The Ramonas, Alice Faye, Honeyfeet and Dubinski. Keep an eye on that lot. Just like last year, there will no doubt be some ‘expressive’ dancing and a few sing-alongs at the end of each night too.

I am delighted to be part of it all as main stage DJ, finishing off Friday night with an eclectic selection of Motown, funk, punk, rock, indie and dance featuring Prince, Beastie Boys, AC/DC, Little Richard, Talking Heads, James Brown, Hot Chip and whatever else I fancy from the 1950’s to the present day. Prepare yourselves to get loose and cut some rug (grass?) on the floor… guaranteed hits galore and lots of fun.

FyneFest 2024 – bring it on! See you at the bar…

Vic Galloway