Midsummer Music 18th-21st June 2009

The Midsummer Music Festival is going to be fantastic!  Last years festival was a great success.  Thank you to all for coming along and joining in the joy of it all!

It all kicks off this year with something for the younger members of the community. BATTLE OF THE BANDS on the Thursday night (18th) will see local bands thrashing it out for a fantastic demo recording opportunity in Gatehouse School! Not to be missed-for more information please call the number below.

Nicola Black and Susi Woodmass are hosting a SCOTTISH LULLABY WORKSHOP for carers of young children...trying to keep some old songs alive as well as encouraging happy peaceful vibes between baby and Mum (or to be more PC.."carer").  The Lullaby workshop will take place in the Faed Gallery at the Mill on the Fleet on Friday 19th June at 1pm.  It is not exclusively for those with babbys, it is for anyone who wishes to learn.  BYOB is encouraged though! (Bring Your Own Babby)
The event is free, although donations towards future festival events would be gratefully received.

THE WEE FOLK,  Susi Sweet Pea and her fair friend Alan the Faun will be doing their fairy thang on Saturday 20th June before the Music Cafe opens.  Storytelling and songs in abundance!  Also an OPEN MIC will be held at the MUSIC CAFE...yummmm cakes and tea and fab variety of entertainment!  Who could ask for more??

There will be an abundance of free live MUSIC SESSIONS in the local pubs all that weekend. So come and play a tune, sing a song or just chill, listen and enjoy the banter.

Bands headlining the weekend's MAIN CONCERTS are vibrant, exciting and breathtakingly stunning! The Banana Sessions are a four piece bunch from Edinburgh, Scotland, who lovingly craft their songs over a good cup of tea and unleash them on the world from pub basements in the city to campfires on hillsides.

Sounds Like A lazy Sunday afternoon, when the sun is shining and you're drinking the best cup of tea you ever tasted ...!

The Common Empire are upbeat indie Scallywags from Dumfries.ocal lads from Dumfries who earned their 45 minutes by winning the South of Scotland battle of the bands - with an emphasis on all things Indie Rock N Roll, inspired by Oasis, The View, The Libertines, it's a sound that's easy to enjoy as first rounds are ordered in at the Belhaven Best bar and the murky clouds slowly disappear.
"How High" is the fans favourite that inspires the barrier-squeezing locals into action, and in the end the crowd look won. Fresh from his appearance and still visibly buzzing, I caught up with Common Empire frontman Chazz - looking every bit the rockstar in his unnecessary sunglasses - and he told me: "Now I know how Alex Turner felt after Glastonbury..."
Other artists featuring in this years festival include the return of our homegrown that-boy-can-fairly-play Cameron Ross O'Hagan.  Also featured are the amazing, Pete McConville, Pablo Eskimo, Jelly Roll Gum Drop and jaw droppingly fantastic guitar duo Farino.

Tickets can be bought from Franca Bruno's shop. 

More information can be found on the website at www.gatehousemusic.com
or alternatively phone Alan or Shell 01557 870182.