Anticipation is building for this year’s Burnsfest.
The free event at Rozelle Park, Ayr, on Saturday, May 4 will feature a line-up of top musical acts.
The Temperance Movement, Eddi Reader, The Primitives, The Pearlfishers, Stephanie Cheape, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes, Dopesickfly and the Barr Stools are all set to play the main stage.
Headliners the Temperance Movement were recently voted best rock band at the SSE Scottish Music Awards and are set to tour the US with Deep Purple and Judas Priest.
There is sure to be a warm welcome home for local singer-songwriter Eddi Reader.
Eddi was the lead singer of Fairground Attraction, whose single ‘Perfect’ and album ‘First of A Million Kisses’ both topped the British charts.
The Primitives will be remembered from their 1988 infectious hit ‘Crash’.
The Pearlfishers are a Glasgow-based rock band fronted by singer and songwriter David Scott, who is also a UWS music lecturer in Ayr.
Stephanie Cheape is Capital FM’s best unsigned act and has supported Bryan Ferry and Hipsway.
Up-and-coming bands Tom McGuire & The Brassholes and Dopesickfly complete the main stage line-up along with The Barr Stools, who are opening the event.
There is also a strong line-up of local bands again this year, with an array of popular acts performing in the A-Coo-Stick Tipi.
There will also be traditional music and dancing in the Jook Aboot Ceilidh tent.
For the first time at Burnsfest The Haverin’ Hoolie will have comedy from Stephen Buchanan, Rachel Jackson and Irishman Paul McDaniel. The Chillootery is another new attraction featuring zentangle meditation sessions.
There are lots of activities for kids with a haggis hunt, crazy golf, archery and Burns fair.
Younger children can enjoy forest creature puppets and wildlife explorers in the Bairns Bunnet tent.
The Mercat and Scran Street will provide festival food and drink.
Brian McGinley, economy and culture portfolio holder for organisers South Ayrshire Council, said: “Burnsfest has become a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike and showcases the very best that South Ayrshire has to offer.”
There will be a free shuttle bus running from Ayr Train Station via Blackburn car park to Rozelle Park from 12.30pm to 10.30pm.
For more information on Burnsfest visit www.burnsfestival.com.
