Held in Campbeltown, located on the remote peninsula of Kintyre, the Kintyre Songwriters Festival has been hosting the best in songwriting talent from not only Kintyre but beyond since it's inaugural event in 2008.
Not only does the festival support local talent by giving them a showcase environment in which to perform to an appreciative audience, we also sponsor the Kenneth Gilchrist Memorial Quaich For Original Songwriting, an award given in conjunction with the local Grammar School.
The 2018 Kintyre Songwriters Festival marks a return to a traditional part of Kintyre songwriting heritage as the newly redeveloped Town Hall will be the venue for the Saturday and Sunday seated concerts.
The organisers try to accommodate as many local performers as possible, so if you write and/or perform songs, the festival wants to hear from you! The event has attracted performers from as far afield as Los Angeles, Barcelona and Berlin, with previous guests including top Scottish acts like Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit), Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow), Rachel Sermanni and Scottish Album of the Year award winner Kathryn Joseph.
"Definitely one of the finest gigs I've been involved in. Super people and good times! What more can u ask for?" Graeme Ferguson
"Probably one of the best gigs we have played" Amber Wilson
"Fantastic time. Possibly one of our finest gigs so far" Pete MacLeod
We have three amazing nights of entertainment lined up for your enjoyment
Kicking things off on the 4th May will be the "Rock Night" held in Whisky Macs, where everyone lets their hair down ready to start the weekend off in style. This event is free entry (until 11:30PM)
Then, during the afternoon of 5th May we will be hosting open-mic stages throughout the day. These are open to all, and again are free, so why not come along and give us a song?
In the evening, we host the first of our main concerts in the Town Hall. This is a ticketed event.
And on Sunday the 6th May, we do it all again.
Besides the remote mainland location, and the sense of common purpose amongst artists, the festival has several other unique characteristics which make it supremely artist-friendly. It is a grass-roots cultural event that focuses on artistic development and to date has not sought grant funding of any kind. All organisers, graphic designers, web developers, local performers and sound crew give their time for free.
All performing local musicians are given free entry to all events to encourage mutual support, collaboration and networking.
A seminar programme allows locals to meet guest artists and learn about writing, performing and the industry, while open stage events provide a feeder to the more formal showcases. Each performer receives a unique artist pack with exclusive festival souvenirs including a CD of the best of the live performances from the previous year.
Besides the remote mainland location, and the sense of common purpose amongst artists, the festival has several other unique characteristics which make it supremely artist-friendly.
It is a grass-roots cultural event that focuses on artistic development and to date has not sought grant funding of any kind. All organisers, graphic designers, web developers, local performers and sound crew give their time for free.
A seminar programme allows locals to meet guest artists and learn about writing, performing and the industry, while open stage events provide a feeder to the more formal showcases. Each performer receives a unique artist pack with exclusive festival souvenirs including a CD of the best of the live performances from the previous year.
The focus of the festival is to showcase the songwriting talent of Kintyre, however we also invite guest artists from outside of Kintyre to attend. Established in 2008, we have been bringing together a like-minded group of individuals to not only perform, but take part in organising the festival.
Below are the posters from previous events. Hover over them to find out the guest artists for that year.
The Van T's, Pronto Mama, Jesse Ray, Chrissy Barnacle, Mull Historical Society, Emme Woods
Louis Abbott, Finn LeMarinel, Mayor Stubbs, Shanine Gallagher, Martha Ffion, Marc Rooney
Colin Macleod, Charlotte Brimner, Miss Irenie Rose, Kathryn Joseph, Angus Munro, Black And White Boy
Pete Macleod, CS Buchan, Zoe Bestel, Scott Hutchison, Siobhan Wilson, Tommy Reilly, Sophie Rogers
Rachel Sermanni, Emma's Imagination, Colin Train, Megan D
Billy Bates, Duncan McCrone, Panda Su, Macanta, Erin Todd, Pol Stevenson
Dave Arcari, Ivan Drever, Robin Adams, Adriana Spina, Emily Rose Condon
Lyndsey Cockwell, Donnie Nicolson, Amber Wilson
Pippa Drysdale, Lisa Polson
Lisa Polson
We're always looking for new artists
If you'd be interested in performing at a future event, let us know.
Be sure to include a short biography and any links to your music should you have them.
