Early bird tickets for Oban Live 2019, Argyll’s biggest outdoor music concert, are to go on sale on Saturday November 10, the event team has announced today (Thursday).
The event, started in 2016 by one of Scotland’s finest musical exports Skerryvore, takes place on June 7 and 8 next year at Mossfield Stadium in Oban, Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland.
Oban Live, Argyll’s biggest outdoor live music event, injected over £1.4million to the local economy this year, according to a recent economic impact survey. The positive figure shows a 3% rise in impact from last year, bringing significant investment for the town over a non-holiday weekend.
The 2018 event, in its third year running, was hailed a success, entertaining just over 8,000 attendees with a 7% increase in ticket sales compared to last year. Thousands flocked to Oban’s Mossfield Stadium, which is transformed into a stadium-sized concert arena for the event, to catch a mixture of highly acclaimed trad, pop and rock stars including Skerryvore, Skipinnish, Tide Lines, Hermitage Green and Peatbog Faeries. The event has been shortlisted for Best Cultural Event at this year’s Highland and Islands Tourism Awards in November. Winners from each category at the awards ceremony will automatically be put forward as a regional finalist in the National Scottish Thistle Awards scheme.
Argyll’s biggest outdoor music concert Oban Live came to a close last night, Saturday June 9, tallying up an attendance figure of just under 8,000 attendees over the two-days. Thousands of revellers made their way to Mossfield Stadium in the rural coastal town of Oban in the west coast of Scotland for the incredible spectacle, which transforms a shinty sports field into a major concert arena.
For a third year running, the massive cultural west coast party entertained visitors from all over the world, from as far as Australia and the USA, with an eclectic mix of Scots ‘Trad”, folk, pop and rock music, taking over the town which has a population of 8,000. Friday enjoyed a whole day of glorious sunshine and, despite mixed forecasts, the event luckily escaped the rain on Saturday as the sun shone in time for gates opening, staying dry for the rest of the evening.
Friday’s line-up included a stream of incredible acts including Blazin’ Fiddles, Hermitage Green from Ireland, Tide Lines and headliners Skipinnish. 19 year old solo/singer writer Kathleen Robertson, winner of the local Oban Unsigned competition, opened the show with a stunning set.
An impressive all-star line-up of 24 top names in the Scottish traditional music industry also came together on Friday, exclusively for Oban Live, in an emotional collaboration named ‘Sons of Argyll’. The project paid homage to late inspirational figures from the region that played a key role in the lives and music of the performers involved. Musicians from Tide Lines, Skipinnish, Skerryvore, Blazin’ Fiddles, Trail West and Gunna Sound, as well as this year’s Mòd Gold Medallists, Rachel Walker and Alasdair Currie, members of Oban Gaelic Choir and world class pipers, and many more well known names in the industry, were included in the project line-up.
The party continued on an even busier day on Saturday, welcoming on stage Rhuvaal, local band Chunks, Heron Valley, Sharon Shannon with Michael McGoldrick and Susan O’Neill, Peatbog Faeries and ending with a spectacular finale from headliners and festival founders, Skerryvore. The multi award-winning eight piece male line-up, firm favourites on the festival scene, launched their sixth studio album Evo at Oban Live, just days before its official June 11 release on the Tyree Records label.
A highlight for the weekend was the mind-blowing moment when Oban High School Pipe Band joined Skerryvore on stage for a performance of Soraidh Slan and The Rise, new tracks from Skerryvore’s Evo album, complete with light-up drumsticks. People also tuned in from all over the world as the moment was live streamed across social media channels.
Daniel Gillespie, Managing Director for Oban Live, said: “A massive thank you to everyone who joined us at Oban Live 2018 for yet another fantastic year. Bringing a concert of this scale to Oban would not be possible without the support of our attendees, the local Oban community, our partners and sponsors, our team and crew and our amazing volunteers. Thank you to everyone involved and we’ll be discussing plans for 2019 very soon.”
There are only three days to go until thousands head to Oban Live, the biggest open-air live music concert in Argyll. The two-day event kicks off at Mossfield Stadium on June 8 and 9 in Oban. The site build officially commences today, starting with one of the biggest jobs which sees contractors from Glasgow installing high-end, concert-stadium pitch cover that will protect the famous shinty ground.
Entertaining thousands with a mix of Scots ‘Trad”, pop and rock music, the complete 2018 line-up was confirmed last night and includes a stream of incredible acts including Skerryvore, Skipinnish, Tide Lines, Peatbog Faeries, Hermitage Green and many more.
Popular Irish folk duo Hudson Taylor have pulled out of this year’s Oban Live, Argyll’s biggest live music event, due to family circumstances. The event team confirmed on social media last night that Argyll folk based band Rhuvaal will take their place and will open the show on Saturday June 9 at 4.30pm.
Hailing from Argyll, Rhuvaal are a traditional band consisting of five members. Having built up a solid following in Kintyre & Lorn, the band are now enjoying performing in many different venues and exploring their sound and music throughout Scotland. Playing modern traditional music with a variety of instruments and songs, Rhuvaal has been described as a band to look out for in the future.
Daniel Gillespie, Managing Director for Oban Live, said: “We are delighted to release the final schedule for Oban Live 2018 and look forward to welcoming attendees, artists and guests from all over the world to Oban this weekend for the biggest live music event in Argyll. Whilst sad to lose Hudson Taylor from the 2018 line-up at last minute, we are really pleased that with Rhuvaal we can now provide another major opportunity for young local talent to shine at Oban Live, especially as 2018 marks the Year of Young People in Scotland.”
Tickets are still available at www.obanlive.com. Limited VIP tickets are left and Oban Live camping tickets, in association with West Coast Motors and Oban Caravan and Camping Park, are selling out fast.
VisitScotland support Oban concert’s latest campaign
Argyll’s biggest open-air live music event has launched a brand new marketing campaign to raise the profile of itself and Oban with the support of VisitScotland.
OBANLIVE, taking place on 8th and 9th June this year, has launched two new films targeting people out with Argyll, as well as maritime visitors, following an award of £11,250 from EventScotland, part of the national tourism organisation’s Events Directorate.
The videos have been distributed via social media, targeting high populated Scottish cities and UK sailing and marine tourism markets respectively. It is hoped the campaign will see the event enjoy a record attendance this year, and promote Oban as an accessible, attractive and marine tourism destination for visitors across Britain.
The first film, entitled “The last train to Oban” is a beautiful short film about a grandfather who shares his affection for Oban and Oban Live music concert with his granddaughter Emma. Images of the event and the town’s scenery and culture are shown whilst the grandfather recites his poem “Lovely Oban”. Viewers can also enjoy stunning shots of the train journey to Oban.
The second video, “Sail to Oban Live” follows three very different yachts making their way to the event – sailing in and around Oban Marina, the new North Pier Pontoons and Dunstaffnage Marina. The video is supported by a webpage on obanlive.com with information on local facilities for marine visitors.
OBANLIVE, now in its third year, features a mix of traditional Scottish artists and international superstars and entertains around 8,000 music lovers at the famous Mossfield Stadium. It was created following the success of Skerryvore’s tenth anniversary concert DECADE and is still run by two of the band members and brothers, Daniel and Martin Gillespie.
This year’s line-up includes Skipinnish, Irish rock band Hermitage Green and festival favourites Skerryvore. The event experience is also enhanced with Fringe events in the town, VIP packages, well-stocked bars, amazing food vendors and unique merchandise.
This is the concert’s third year of funding through EventScotland’s National Programme Fund and is one of 12 events from across ten local authorities in Scotland which have benefited from nearly £100,000 of funding in the programme’s 37th round. The National Programme Fund plays an integral role in developing domestic tourism across Scotland by helping grow the country’s diverse events portfolio.
Daniel Gillespie, Director of Oban Live, said: “When visitors come to Oban Live, not only do they get to experience an impressive, authentic Scottish music concert, but they also get to experience all that is on offer in the unique and cultural location of Oban. This funding from EventScotland has allowed us to create high quality, engaging content that combines and showcases both the event and the town as one package, which in turn will bring a significant boost to the local economy. A massive thank you to EventScotland for the support.”
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “I am delighted to see that OBANLIVE was one of the 12 events across the country to be supported by EventScotland. These two short films showcase Oban’s wonderful tourism offering and I hope the concert will enjoy a record year as a result.
“The visitors this event attracts represent a massive benefit for the local economy. Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is integral to sustaining communities across Scotland by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “EventScotland is delighted to be supporting OBANLIVE through our National Programme, for the third consecutive year. Over the last few years the popular festival has gone from strength-to-strength, demonstrating why Scotland is the perfect stage for music events.”
“Our funding support of the two digital films will enable OBANLIVE to further grow; attracting new audiences from outwith the area, and in turn delivering economic benefits for Oban and the region.”
Enabling existing events to expand what they offer visitors, extend their marketing reach and enhance the on-site experience of attendees are just some of the ways that National Funding Programme support is used to help regional events continue to flourish and grow further. This in turn strengthens Scotland’s overall events portfolio – a major contributor to our national economy.
To view “The last train to Oban” go to www.obanlive.com/film
To view “Sail to Oban” go to https://www.obanlive.com/sailing
For more information about OBANLIVE go to www.obanlive.com/
For more information about VisitScotland’s Event’s Directorate go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_structure/directorates/eventscotland.aspx
The full list of events receiving support from Round 37 of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund are:
| Event | Date | Funding | Local Authority | Website |
| Bonfest | 4 – 6 May | £9,332 | Angus Council | www.bonfest.com/ |
| Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival | 4 – 6 May | £6,680 | Argyll and Bute Council | www.obanfestival.org/ |
| Etape Caledonia | 19- 20 May | £8,500 | Perth and Kinross Council | etapecaledonia.co.uk/ |
| Oban Live | 8 – 9 June | £11,250 | Argyll and Bute Council | obanlive.com/ |
| BEMBA British Enduro Mountain Bike Championships | 9 – 10 June | £10,000 | Scottish Borders | tweedlove.com/2018-event-info/british-enduro-champs |
| St Kilda Challenge & Festival | 14 – 16 June | £5,750 | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | www.calmac.co.uk/stkilda/challenge |
| Cream O’ the Croft | 15 – 17 June | £5,000 | Perth and Kinross Council | www.creamothecroft.co.uk/ |
| North Atlantic Fiddle Convention | 11 – 15 July | £10,500 | Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council | www.abdn.ac.uk/nafco/ |
| Run the Blades | 20 – 21 July | £4,000 | East Renfrewshire Council | www.breakingstrain.co.uk/run-the-blades/ |
| Dundee Summer Streets Festival | 21 – 22 July | £7,400 | Dundee City Council | www.dundee.com/event/dundee-summer-streets-festival |
| Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival | 31 August – 2 September | £5,000 | Fife Council | www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/the-eliminator/ |
| Findhorn Bay Festival | 26 September – 1 October | £15,760 | Moray Council | findhornbayfestival.com/ |
| TOTAL FUNDING AWARDED | £99,172 |
If you’re travelling from Glasgow Scottish Citylink coaches operate five daily services to Oban during the Summer (21 May to 30 September).
In addition to the regular journeys, a special late night service will also operate at 00.15am over both nights for people travelling home to Glasgow after the music festival.
Additional acts confirmed for the 2018 line-up:
An impressive all-star line-up of 24 top names in the Scottish traditional music industry will come together at Oban Live 2018 in an exclusive collaboration named ‘Sons of Argyll’. Performing on Friday June 8 at the two-day festival, the project will pay homage to late inspirational figures from the region that played a key role in the lives and music of the performers involved.
Musicians from Tide Lines, Skipinnish, Skerryvore, Blazin’ Fiddles, Trail West and Gunna Sound, as well as this year’s Mòd Gold Medallists, Rachel Walker and Alasdair Currie, members of Oban Gaelic Choir and world class pipers, Angus MacColl, Angus J MacColl and Stuart Liddell, are included in the project line-up. Also involved are Marie Fielding, Phil Cunningham, Craig & Hector MacFadyen, Sileas Sinclair, Mary Catherine MacNeil and Archie & Alex McAllister.
Oban Live is delighted to launch our competition for any young budding designers to win the chance for their design to feature on our official 2018 merchandise!
For ages 18 and under, from P1 all the way up to S6.
The winner will also receive an Oban Live hamper including weekend tickets and merchandise.
CLICK HERE for more information and details on how to enter.
Good luck everyone!
Skerryvore, Hermitage Green and Heron Valley to play Oban Live 2018
A campaign titled #10DAYS, organised by Argyll’s biggest live music event Oban Live, is well underway. The 10-day campaign, which began Dec 1 and runs until Dec 10, includes an announcement each day on the event’s social media channels and a 10% ticket discount on tickets which are now on sale.
Skerryvore, Heron Valley and Irish band Hermitage Green have all been announced so far for the 2018 line-up with more act and event news to be announced during the campaign.
Signed to Sony Music Ireland, Hermitage Green are one of Ireland’s hottest bands right now and have played sold out shows around the country and the UK. Following the release of singles ‘Jenny’ and ‘Quicksand’ came Save Your Soul, an album that was also steered by the production talents of Philip Magee (The Academic, Kodaline, The Script and Declan O’Rourke).
Survey results from rural music festival Oban Live have revealed the 2017 event brought in £1.39 million to the local economy, a 27% increase from the previous year.
The two year-old event has immediately become the biggest open-air live music concert in rural Argyll, Scotland, entertaining just under 8,000 attendees each year with traditional Scottish and Celtic rock music. It has also attracted international superstars such as KT Tunstall (2016) and Toploader (2017) to the line-up. Held over an off-season, non-holiday weekend, the survey results confirm the June event’s growing popularity and positive impact on the local economy.
It’s attracting more visitors from further afield too. A rise in the number of festival visitors travelling to Oban from outwith Scotland was identified. 10% (7% in 2016 and 6% in 2015) of the survey sample were from outside Scotland and trips from outside the UK accounted for 4% (2% in 2016 and 2015) of the sample. Meanwhile, 38% were visiting from other areas of mainland Scotland, outwith the local area and the Highlands and Islands.
