St Andrew’s fest goes down great online
More than 120,000 people, some near and others far, watched Stirling’s Frontline Festival Scotland online last month.
The inaugural St Andrew’s Day event, which was streamed over social media for free, was seen by viewers from more than 30 countries including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and India.
It included performances from more than 30 Scottish artists, including Wet Wet Wet, Sandi Thom, Hue and Cry and The Bluebells, and has so far raised £1711 in donations.
Charities set to benefit are Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Family Support Trust.
Stirling-based community interest company Ceangail organised the 2020 event which attracted 122,612 viewers.
Ceangail founder and chairperson Matt Mcgrandles this week described the response to the first festival as “quite outstanding” and a “fantastic job” for all those involved.
He added: “To think the event was pulled together and delivered within six months is quite an achievement for the Ceangail team.
“It has given us a strong footing to look at how we could deliver a 2021 event and I am sure the team will relish the challenge.”
Due to Covid-19 restrictions much of the event was pre-recorded, but DJS Fat Brestovca and Kathryn Wilson presented the show live from Bannockburn House on the day.
The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund’s operations manager Gary Brown said: “The SBPF would like to thank everyone involved in making Frontline Festival Scotland a great success.
“The fantastic support from the artists, ambassadors, event organisers, volunteers and sponsors has been truly humbling, and it was wonderful to see the event spread a little joy and music across the globe during such a difficult time for everyone.
“We are very grateful to all those who kindly made donations, your kindness will help us continue our work supporting Police officers, staff and their families during times of hardship and need.”
Sponsorship from property company Ambassador Group Investment Division enabled the Frontline Festival to be broadcast free to view. Its managing director Chris Richardson said: “It really was great to see so many Scottish grassroots bands performing alongside some of the more established artists. Well done to them all.”
The Scottish Events Recovery Fund also backed the festival and the fund’s director of events Paul Bush commented: “Frontline Festival was a fantastic celebration of Scottish talent and a great way to mark St Andrew’s Day 2020.
“We were delighted to have supported the organisers through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund in delivering such a positive virtual event in what has been a hugely challenging year for the industry.”