'Too many barriers' for the Big Day Out

Newsdesk Newsdesk - 1020 • Published 20 Jun 2007 15:09

THE PLUG has finally been pulled on this year"s music festival in Galashiels despite last-ditch efforts to rescue it.

But the organisers have vowed to return next year with a weekend to remember at Netherdale.

The Proclaimers headlined the very first sold-out Big Day Out back in 2005.

And last year the event was broadened to two days with Deacon Blue and the Saw Doctors topping the bills, as well as Shooglenifty, Four Good Men and Scocha.

Plans were in place to make this year"s event - rescheduled for August instead of the original Braw Lads" Gathering weekend - even bigger.

And several bands and top DJs had already been booked as well as the back pitches at Netherdale and surrounding facilities.

But a failure to secure headlining acts for either the Saturday or Sunday threw the festival into doubt towards the end of April.

Andy Darling from event management group 4 Xllence told the Border Telegraph: 'We simply came up against too many barriers.

'We have been in talks with a major company over the past week or two about saving this year"s festival but we have decided to wait and make a huge effort for something really special in 2008.

'We know where we went wrong and we will have the right people in place for next year.

'It"s disappointing for everyone involved with our company and I"m sure local music fans will also be very disappointed.'

While the music may have died for the Big Weekend 2007, the organisers will still get to hear a tune or two this summer.

The Selkirk-based company has won the contract to provide bar services at gigs staged by Murrayfield Live, which starts with Bryan Adams at the national rugby stadium on July 21.

Mr Darling added: 'We are delighted to have the bars at these events. It will mean going up to Murrayfield with around 80 to 100 staff. These concerts are huge and we hope to have a long association with Murrayfield Live.

'We are already well established and well respected locally for supplying bar services at many of the festivals and other large events, and this contract will hopefully allow us to build a reputation outside the Borders as well.'

And just to get in some practice, many of those involved at Bryan Adams will be pulling pints next Saturday for a Braw Lads" Day Party in the Volunteer Hall.

Scocha and The Dazes will entertain the festival revelers between 1.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

And tickets for the 500-capacity party afternoon are already selling fast.

Remaining tickets are on sale from The Late Shop on Scott Street.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 20 Jun 07

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