Over 300 musicians and participants have taken part in an eclectic and life-affirming programme of cultural events for the third annual Govan Music Festival.
Over its four days, from 13th – 16th March 2024, the diverse and welcoming event saw attendances of 1000 pass through the doors of venues right across Glasgow’s historic district, from the Fairfield Club to Edmiston House.
With a bill spanning folk, fusion, world, classical, jazz and hip-hop music, the festival welcomed music fans of all kinds to sample the raw talent and creative ambition on display in this bold, emerging Glasgow neighbourhood.
Concerts were priced at a maximum of £5 to ensure the festival and its music was accessible to all and a variety of groups ran workshops and one-off showcases to ensure the inclusive spirit of the festival reached as many people from as many different backgrounds as possible.
The festival, which is run by Govan’s regeneration orchestra The Glasgow Barons supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, was launched to help contribute to the area’s regeneration and put Govan on the cultural map within Scotland.
Highlights included the launch party for Freed Up CIC, an independent producer of sober adult events specially curated for the recovery community, which brought Scottish hip hop and techno together with live strings to create something truly memorable, while the award-winning Musicians in Exile and Glasgow indie trad band DLÙ put on a special double bill concert that brought world and Gaelic music together in the spirit of musical and climate change exploration.
Show-stopping performances across the week were on display from Scottish rappers Sweet Rogue, Freestyle Master, MOG and Dazza JFT, GBX duo Gonzo and MC Cally, folk and jazz violinist Roo Geddes, accordionist Neil Sutcliffe, bassist Ewan Hastie, and The Glasgow Barons, led by conductor Paul MacAlindin, soprano saxophonist Lewis Banks and soprano Catriona Hewitson.
Alongside The Four Barons Quartet, consisting of Aaron McGregor, Emma Donald, Liam Brolly and Marina Sánchez Cabello, Govan Allsorts Choir, Kayden White, FIVO and many more, who put on incredible performances.
Paul MacAlindin, Artistic Director of The Glasgow Barons and Govan Music Festival, said: “Govan Music Festival aims to have a profound and lasting positive social and cultural impact on the people of Govan and what we’ve seen over the last four days has shown how music can bring people together, build new connections and lift spirits. I would like to thank everyone who made our third edition of the festival possible – our musicians, participants, local partners, the fantastic venues and of course, the audiences who came out from near and far to see just what Govan can do. This is cultural regeneration at its best.”
Head of Music at Creative Scotland, Alan Morrison said: “The roots of Govan Music Festival are deeply embedded in a community whose pride, passion and artistic talent are revitalising the area. With support from The National Lottery, streets in the south-west of Glasgow vibrated to hip hop beats and classical strings, as local and international traditions sat side by side in a dynamic programme of music and performance. The Glasgow Barons have been a magnificent catalyst for creativity in recent years and this festival is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together.”
Govan Music Festival will return in March 2025. For more information visit www.glasgowbarons.com.