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Guidance for musicians wanting to play at the West End Festival

Byres Road Street Party and Opening Parade (Scotland’s Mardi Gras

 

Opening Sunday (15 June). Parade is samba bands only, maybe some pipers.

We’re always keen to hear from people from all over who look good and sound good, but have to be able to walk nearly 2 miles to Kelvingrove Park.

Stages: we have had various stages in Byres Road for 7 years, and sometimes in the Botanic Gardens and at the end of the Parade in Kelvingrove Park.

In general, the policy is to have mature or experienced bands who can play in front of several thousand people on an open-air stage in the street.  Upbeat is good, and familiar music (covers) or familiar styles (like blues) clearly attract and keep crowds entertained. 

Stages have up to 6 acts on them, which means that change-overs are a big consideration.  Outfits without drum kits are welcomed.  Bands who need a sound check don’t get a look-in.  You have to be able to walk on, plug in and start!   Stage slots 30 to 40 minutes.

Genres that work particularly well are: 

• World music (eg Zuba, Paddyrasta, steel bands)
• Ska / reggae (eg Amphetameanies)
• Scottish / Celtic / Irish (eg Mystery Juice,  Stone Autumn)
• Country (eg Gilded Angels)
• Covers bands (eg Reflector)
• Tribute bands (eg Sticky Fingers, Beatles Beat, Bleachie)
• Folk-rock (eg Lynsey Dolan, The Midden)
• Jazz and blues (eg Big Vern and the Shootas, Nimmo Twins)
• Classic Big Band (Brass Monkeys,  Brass Impact)
• Busking type bands (The Tornadoze, Calton Jug Band)
• Hard to classify: (Parsonage Choir, Wallace Clan etc.)

We do not take DJs, as a rule.  Nor do we take rock bands, as a rule, because unless they play covers, it has been proved that punters do not stay and listen.  There are many other outlets for bands in Glasgow, although not really in the west end (which is a pity).

We do not, as a rule, take any stage performers under 18 for licensing and insurance reasons. 

Equipment:  rock bands have drums and they take too much time to set up between acts.  We do, however, have at least one stage with a shared drum kit. 

PA and monitors. acts get basic PA but monitors are usually a luxury.

Stage managers: WEF employs experienced stage managers to run each stage, so once acts are selected, the SMs do all the detailed liaison.

Fees: all bands selected are paid small fees to cover travel and extra costs. 

 

Venues

 

The west end is currently short of venues.  There is no King Tuts, Blue Note, or ABC.  Oran Mor is the best-known and has an upstairs (The Auditorium) which is for acoustic or voices only. 
The downstairs (The Venue) is for amplified acts and consideration is given to acts for this venue as support acts for name acts being booked in by WEF or Oran Mor.  Call Jamie for slots outwith of June 13 to 29 on 0141 357 6200.

Brel in Ashton Lane is a consistent venue for laid back guitar bands, jazz, folk, world etc. It’s small but it works.  Contact Robin Morton direct for slots.  brelashtonlane@aol.com.  www.brelbarrestaurant.com

Cottiers is still closed, and the only possible outlets for bands are the G1 Group venues such as The Loft or The Salon (formerly Gong) who have said they might let live acts play during WEF.  Apply direct to venues for slots.

Gilmorehill G12, the University theatre, will do evening concerts (capacity seated 160) so if you fancy that apply to Lee Davidson 0141 330 5522.

All other WEF venues are churches, church halls, libraries, the University Chapel, University Concert Hall, the Tall Ship.  So, in general it’s classical music or Scottish/folk/world that works best.

The University Union (the QMU) is best for bands (cap 800 standing) and has good lights and PA, but the question is, who is going to promote?  Someone has to rent the space, organise the equipment and pay all the bills.  Still, worth a chat to Andy Dunlop on 0141 339 9784.

 

WEF Venues

 

WEF books suitable music acts into Oran Mor and the Kibble Palace or the Hunterian Art Gallery.  The latter two are OK for quiet instrumental stuff or vocal only ie unaccompanied choirs. 
Apply to Michael Dale, Festival Director, if this takes your fancy.

WEF pays small fees and takes the ticket money.  WEF deals with all other aspects of the gig incl rental, staff, PA and ticketing.  Pianos a problem, however.  (There aren’t any!)

 

Now what?

 

Many music acts apply for the Street Party or for support slots at Oran Mor.

We will listen to CDs and tapes sent in, and check out songs on MySpace.

Priority is for the programme to be published in the brochure and on the website. Deadline for this is March 17 for publication date of late April.

Once we’ve done that, we’ll look at unsolicited stuff and try and get some of you in by end of April.

However, we strongly recommend you also contact venues direct and see if they can promote you or let you be self-promoted.

If you can get this sorted before March 17, then let us know and we’ll put you in the brochure, only this costs!  You have to fill in the form, pay £75 inc VAT for a paying gig and £40 for a free gig. (NB This does not apply if we decide to promote you.)

 

More info

If you still want more info, please email westend.festival@virgin.net or call 0141 341 0844 and we’ll see what we can do.