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Electric Fields has grown organically over the last five years. What started as a grassroots idea for a one-day showcase of local artists has humbly blossomed into a three-day event that’s a contender for Scotland’s best music festival. Despite bagging a Gallagher brother this year, the undercard makes it clear that the original mission statement of championing Scottish talent and alternative music remains intact, half a decade on. To celebrate their fifth birthday, here are five key things you might like to know about Electric Fields if this is your first time, as well as five of our picks from that lovely undercard.

It’s as local as you can get

You’ve probably dreamt at least once of setting up a festival with your mates, but brothers Nick and Alex Roberts made it a reality when they set up Electric fields at Drumlanrig Castle – two minutes from their local primary school. The siblings were surrounded by friends in bands and local DJs, but few were being showcased at the bigger festivals like T in the Park. They decided to stick them in a field, put them on a stage, and the rest is history.

Scotland’s new wave

Around half of this year’s bill hail from Scotland, and nearly all of those – outside of some modern legends like Teenage Fanclub and Young Fathers – have released one album, or less. That might not sound important for a festival, y’know, in Scotland, but you'll find a lot more local acts here than at some other Scottish festivals. In terms of outdoor festivals, there aren't many better to check out new local underground talent than Electric Fields. 

A friendlier atmosphere

Like British festivals in general, Scottish festivals have long held a reputation for being slightly unhinged. On its deathbed, T in the Park had garnered a reputation as little more than a large field for school leavers to get drunk in. With its kid-friendly areas (Our Kids Electric), and sturdy focus on all kinds of art, Electric Fields has long stood as an alternative to that notion. As well as reduced tickets for those under-15, this year’s festival also includes numerous events for younger attendees, like Glasgow Science Centre’s Fitlab Exhibits and Major Minor Music Club, which has previously featured Admiral Fallow and Broken Records among others.

Remembering Scott Hutchison

As an example of Electric Fields' deep community routes, this year they plan to tribute the late legend Scott Hutchison, by playing the debut album by Mastersystem in full at their scheduled Saturday night slot. To remember last year’s stunning headline slot from Frightened Rabbit, "The Loneliness and the Scream will be played very loud on the main stage on Friday evening at 7.45pm."

More than Music

Electric Fields has humbly expanded to showcase food, comedy, cabaret and spoken word over the years. This year’s poetry line-up from Neu! Reekie! could prove to be a highlight on blending hip-hop and dance into the mix. It will also feature appearances from Loki the Scottish Rapper, who will be performing Poverty Safari, his Orwell Award-winning collection.

Of course, Electric Fields remains a music festival when all is said and done, and a good one at that. Here are five acts we also recommend making the time to see this year:

Ezra Furman

Sorry James – Ezra Furman’s Thursday night slot is the greatest reason to get your hands on a full weekend ticket. Furman has long been one of the most captivating performers in indie rock, and with their latest deeply personal project, Trans Angelic Exodus, they’ve only grown in strength. Early rockabilly, Prince's sex appeal and punk aggression all swirl around gloriously. The band’s latest batch of shows have also featured one of the strongest covers of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love going. Second sorry to you, Futureheads...

Soccer Mommy

One of the true breakouts of this year, Soccer Mommy play classic snarky indie rock with all the passion and personality you would hope for. This year’s Clean is a gem, its songs carried by weighty lyrics that scoop out the dark insides of sour relationships and the effects they can have on our well-being. Memorable guitar lines and a classic hazy grunge song have only bolstered its clear staying power.

Wuh Oh

This might be the only time you see a baboon on the decks this year. Wuh Oh is a lovely wee duo formed of seasoned producer Peter Ferguson and his baboon pal, um, Baboon. Yeah, that’s his name. The two perform bright, frenetic jazz and hip-hop-inspired club music, with a focus on fun and accessibility. Though they only have a few tracks to their name so far, their material is instantly lovable, and a beauty to behold live.

Makeness

Scottish producer Kyle Molleson came out with a cracker of a debut earlier this year with Loud Patterns. His groove-focused dance tracks are performed with the physicality of a live band, and he twists that energy to his advantage on stage. Tactile synths and wiry guitar lines are worked impressively on top of each other throughout his sets, and when he steps up to the mic he often finds the sweetspot between DJ and songwriter that very few can do as effortlessly.

IDLES

This cultishly-revered Bristol punk band are on the verge of releasing their second album, Joy as an Act of Resistance. Given their constant upward trajectory, powered by tight tunes, sharp political commentary and unfiltered honesty, there’s a strong chance it could make them stars. IDLES thrive most in the messy live setting, where their working-class anthems can be chanted loud in a loving show of rebellion and heart. There will undoubtedly be a full crowd there to help.

Electric Fields takes place at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries & Galloway, 30 Aug-1 Sep