Be in Belhaven

The event rook place on 2 August and was run as a Music Festival and a Family Funday.[1] Along with the Main Stage there was also an Acoustic Tent run by the Foundry Music Lab, a recording studio run by Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin. There was also many activities put on for young children in a bid to attract people along early in the day with the music becoming the main focus later in the day.

Headliners for the event were Glasgow girl band The Hedrons. Negotiations with other chart acts The Holloways and The Rumble Strips had broken down. 34 other bands also played the event including The Underground Jam and many local bands.[2]

The event attracted over 6000 people on the day and raised £2500 for Oxfam, making it the largest Oxjam ever at that time.[3]

Additionally the event was seen a success by the local community and police force and heralded as a "modern take on the gala day". Despite there being a large number of people on site along with a licensed bar, there were no incidents in the park.[3]

After the success of the 2008 festival, there was demand to stage it as an annual event. Plans were put in place in late 2008 and the decision was made to keep the event in Belhaven Park despite the potential increase in size off the event. At an early stage, management The Commercial Hotel got on board as a main sponsor of the event, handling the bars and catering.[3] Feedback suggested that the event be kept as to local bands thus keeping the community vibe, although 2008 favourites, The Underground Jam, were invited back to close the event. The Foundry Music Lab ran a new stage while Aromas Cafe took over the acoustic tent.[3]

The festival took place on 15 August.[4] Over 50 acts performed on 3 stages over the day, raising money for Oxfam and Maggies Centres.[3] The acts included Still Vintage, The Underground Jam, The Lafontaines, Tempercalm, MakethisRelate, Dear Stars guitarist Stephen Archieblad's former band Midas, The Jackanoorys, Station Sound, Crossfire and Annie Stevenson.[3] Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin made a special appearance in the Foundry Music Lab Arena alongside JJ Gilmour, of The Silencers fame.