Connect Music Festival

Connect Music Festival has taken place annually at the Royal Highland Centre Showgrounds in Edinburgh since 2022. Previously, it was held in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, located on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll, Scotland in 2007 and 2008.

Connect Music Festival
Jarvis Cocker performing on the main stage of the inaugural Connect Music Festival held on the banks of Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland, UK
GenreAlternative rock, Punk rock, Indie rock, Dance
Location(s)Inveraray Castle, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland
Years active2007, 2008

Connect Music Festival is aimed at more mature music fans[1] and welcomed headliners such as The National, The Chemical Brothers and Idles in 2022. Jon Hopkins, Bonobo, Mogwai, Little Simz, and Bombay Bicycle Club are amongst the names to have played in 2022.

The 2023 festival will have headliners Primal Scream, Fred again.., boygenius, and Loyle Carner along with Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers, Confidence Man, Friendly Fires, Arab Strap and many more.[2]

As well as a diverse music programme, Connect highlights the importance of wellbeing and community throughout the event with a plethora of comedy, spoken word, visual arts, and exceptional locally sourced food and drink, alongside a wellness programme featuring yoga, cold water therapy, life coaching, breathworks and motivational talks.

Connect Music Festival teamed up with Scotland-based charity Tiny Changes which was set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit singer, Scott Hutchison. The Tiny Changes x Gardeners Cottage features acoustic sets from musicians as well as secret sets which are announced on the day. The 2022 festival saw headliners, The National, play a secret acoustic set to rave reviews.[3]

Format

It is composed of four stages of music and two other areas:

  • The Grand Parade - Main Stage hosting the headline acts and other bands
  • Guitars & Other Machines - More popular and less well known music acts
  • Unknown Pleasures - Electronic and Dance acts
  • Tiny Changes x Gardeners Cottage - Acoustic and secret sets
  • The Speakeasy - Comedy, live podcast recordings, sustainability talks, spoken word
  • Rest & Be Thankful - Yoga, meditation, breathworks

2007 Festival

The festival was held between 31 August and 2 September 2007.

Oyster Stage
FridaySaturdaySunday

Guitars & Other Machines
FridaySaturdaySunday

Manicured Noise
FridaySaturdaySunday

Your Sound

The bandstand stage, set for new and rising bands, included performances from Frightened Rabbit (Saturday), Rick Redbeard (Saturday), The Kazoo Funk Orchestra (Sunday), and The Twilight Sad (Sunday, playing directly following headliner Björk).[4]

2008 Festival

In 2008, the festival changed its name to Hydro Connect due to sponsorship from Scottish Hydro Electric.[5] It was held between Friday 29 August and Sunday 31 August.

Line-up

Artists performing included Manic Street Preachers, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Amy MacDonald, Sigur Rós, Goldfrapp, Paolo Nutini, Kasabian, Glasvegas, Mercury Rev, Gossip, Elbow, Duffy, The Coral, Ladytron, The Roots, Sparks, Crystal Castles, Young Knives, Santigold, Joan As Police Woman, Gomez, Foy Vance and Noah and the Whale.

2022 Festival

On 22nd February 2022, it was announced that organisers DF Concerts would be bringing back Connect in its new home of Royal Highland Centre Showgrounds, Edinburgh, Scotland on 26th-28th August. While this new edition of Connect is not a camping festival in the traditional sense, there was luxury and boutique camping facilities available, including pre-pitched bell tents. There was also four hotels all within walking distance of the festival site due to its proximity to Edinburgh Airport.

Talking about the relaunch, CEO of DF Concerts, Geoff Ellis said that the reason for choosing this location was due to the public transport links, helping make the event more sustainable.[6]

Grand Parade 2022
Friday Saturday Sunday
Idles The Chemical Brothers The National
Jon Hopkins Bonobo Mogwai
John Grant The Twilight Sad Bombay Bicycle Club
Jessie Buckly & Bernard Butler Caribou Little Simz
The Mysterines Holly Humberstone Self Esteem
Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupal Chloe Moriondo Black Country, New Road
Future Utopia Lucia & The Best Boys Rae Morris
Maeve Rachel Chinouriri
Guitars & Other Machines 2022
Friday Saturday Sunday
Joesef Ride Idlewild
Moses Boyd LOW Admiral Fallow
CMAT Matt Maltese Sudan Archives
LYRA Willie J Healy DEHD
Cloth NewDad Hamish Hawk
Jealous of the Birds Swim School Lizzie Reid
LVRA The Joy Hotel Kathleen Frances
Opus Kink
Unknown Pleasures
Friday Saturday Sunday
Optimo (Espacio) Erol Alkan Horse Meat Disco
I.Jordan Krystal Klear Sam Gellaitry
Hammer Dance System Jamz Supernova
TAAHLIAH Nightwave Barry Can't Swim
KILIMANJARO Push It Rebecca Vasmant
Pocket Nadia Summer B2B DIJA Karma Kid

References
  1. "Franz to star at Connect festival". BBC News. 3 April 2008.
  2. Ferguson, Brian. "Edinburgh Connect Festival lineup 2023: Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and Young Fathers to play". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  3. Krol, Charlotte (29 August 2022). "Watch The National play secret acoustic set in tribute to Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison". NME. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. "Connect Festival 2007 - The DiS Review". Drowned in Sound. 12 September 2007. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  5. "Scottish Hydro Electric News Article". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  6. Qureshi, Arusa (22 February 2022). ""Connect Festival to relaunch in Edinburgh"". NME.
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