Planning is full steam ahead for the Doonhame Festival in Dumfries on July 22-23 when The Waterboys and Alabama 3 will headline.
Last year’s event at the Crichton had to be cancelled due to covid but the organisers have managed to rebook many of the acts, including The Feeling, Bad Manners, Toploader, Kyle Falconer, Skerryvore, Shambolics, Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5 and I’m A Raver.
The Dangleberries, the recently reformed Finding Albert and The Lucky Doves add to a strong local presence along with Tiderays, The Lutras, Black Cat Bone, Redfish Blues Band and Cumbria-based Novablood.
More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Joint festival director Sandy Sweetman said: “We are so pleased to be able to come back again following the last-minute change in regulations that grounded us last year. It has been a challenge to re-book artists as demand increased with other festivals and postponed tours taking place, but we are absolutely over the moon that festival favourites The Waterboys and Alabama 3 can join us this year.”
Mike Scott from The Waterboys added: “I have a few connections in the Southwest, old friends in Langholm and Dumfries, remembered childhood holidays and travels, days in Kirkcudbright and Carsphairn, but don’t often get to play music in the region so it makes me very happy to bring The Waterboys and come and play Doonhame Festival. Looking forward to seeing you there!”
Also in July, Hoddom Castle will host Country At The Castle on the 8 and 9. The line up includes Ali Donowho, Gary Quinn, Two Ways Home, Katy Hurt, Raintown and Kate Kyle, as well as quizzes, karaoke, a rodeo bull and line dancing.
But before all that, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival will take place from May 20-29.
It is Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival and will feature a variety of venues, and local and national artists.
For 43 years, the arts festival have brought world-class theatre, music, dance, comedy and spoken word to the area and 2022 will be no different – with the full “eclectic and exciting” programme due to be revealed on March 16.
Creative director Melanie Purdie said: “We are back – bringing a mix of local and national artists to Dumfries and Galloway this May. Our programme features an exciting line-up of diverse artists and stories, new national partnerships and events for audiences and communities to experience across the region. We have something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to inspire you.”
