Kelburn Garden Party: If You Go Down to the Woods Today...

Hidden within the trees and settled under the shadow of Kelburn Castle is Scotland's latest addition to the boutique festival scene, The Garden Party. Running from 20-21 June the festival takes place in the grounds and gardens of Kelburn Castle, near Largs. Every summer in recent memory there has been a number of festivals claiming to be that most over used of terms, 'eclectic'. In fact, many struggle to even be classed as varied, let alone eclectic. But the line up for this year's Garden Party seems worthy of the description.

Country bands will sit comfortably next to dubstep DJs whilst electronic and folk acts perform through the night. Confirmed acts include psychedelic rockers The Aliens, big reggae noise from Mungo's Hi-fi Soundsystem, and world class electronica from Tom Middleton. Keep an ear to the ground for the particularly excellent Asthmatic Astronaut, who is appearing alongside Lifeshows. Originally appearing on the Japanese undergound label DEJINE, Asthmatic Astronaut has proven to be one of the most exciting artists currently working in Scotland.

Late night DJ sets include the creator of the Mixed Bizness and How's Your Party club nights, Boom Monk Ben, catering for all your electronic/hip-hop/dubstep/big bass requirements. Glasgow's Numbers collective will also shake the treetops as they appear with Village Orchestra and Production Unit.

Meanwhile Edinburgh's Robigan promises to bring his extensive back catalogue of dancehall records to the festivities before Mr Mafro and The Kink Dogg of the Kinky Afro club night unleash a loud set of 'wonky sounds'.

The Garden Party promises to offer an unusual line-up in unusual surroundings. Instead of being located in an open field, visitors will navigate through the Kelburn Castle grounds to each stage. The castle's tennis court will become the dancefloor of the Garden Stage and the surrounding woodland will serve as a canopy above the Village and Garden stages.

The Garden Stage will be the main point of contact for many visitors, as it hosts the bigger acts of the festival, such as Bonobo. The Viewpoint Stage will host the dance acts and DJs across the weekend, whilst the Garden Stage will provide ceilidhs and experimental bands, all with a view of Arran and the nearby Firth of Clyde.

Art installations curated by Bryony Buttercup will feature throughout the weekend and the castle itself will be floodlit for the entirety of the festival to allow visitors to see the results of the Graffiti Project. The Graffiti Project was completed in June 2007 and involved the former white face of the castle being transformed by three artists and 1000 spray paint cans into the colourful, world renowned canvas that it is today.

With the demise of Connect festival and Indian Summer, The Garden Party may just be the new jewel in Scotland's boutique festival crown.

• This will be great! Hoping that the cops won't shut it down this year too!

  Posted by Anonymous | Monday May 2009 @ 15:40

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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__C-MjmVUrU

  Posted by Jaco Justice | Tuesday May 2009 @ 11:36

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• Can't wait!
  http://radiomagnetic.com/main-features/kelburn-garden-party-preview/

  Posted by Anonymous | Monday June 2009 @ 11:35

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• Anyone who isn't going to this is lame.

  Posted by john | Thursday June 2009 @ 10:36

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• Come come come. This is gonna be huge. it's the perfect setting for a festival, multi-coloured castle next to the sea. Bring on bonobo and Belleruche. man, it's going to be good.

  Posted by Anonymous | Monday June 2009 @ 16:39

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• What a fantastic weekend, many congratulations and thanks to all those involved in setting it up... You've created a masterpiece, a complete work of genius!
  The most fabulous setting for a festival I've been to yet. I'm already booked for next year, and I advise the rest of you to buy your ticket now for 2010's Garden Party, trust me, it REALLY is that good!

  Posted by Duffy | Tuesday June 2009 @ 06:46

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