I went to my first Glasgowbury in 2008. That year the event was headlined by ASH. It was the first small festival I’d been to, upto that point I’d only been to larger fests, Leeds weekender and Download. I was blown away by the intimacy, the atmosphere and the commitment to local music.
Since that time Glasgowbury has grown every year, but their commitment has remained the same, the atmosphere has stayed the same and it’s still a heck of a day out. To get to Glasgowbury you have to drive out of the city, into the countryside, to the foot of a mountain, get on a bus, drive further up the mountain and then hop into a field. But it’s worth the effort. You get to see the cream of Irish music in an amazing setting, mountains in the background, sun shining (hopefully) beer in hand with the volume turned all the way up. So here’s our wee preview of the bands to see, what to bring, useful links and some sage advice that I’ve garnered over the years.
At a glance
Website: http://www.glasgowbury.com/
Ticket: £45
Parking: £5
Bus: £3
Pint: £3.50
Food: £4-5
Postcode for the Sat-Nav: BT45 7EN
What to pack
As you get near to Draperstown you’ll start seeing signs directing you to the site, the first one usually appears at the roundabout in Draperstown. Follow these and you can’t go far wrong. You’ll eventually see some guys in fluorescent jackets directing you to the car park. It costs £5 to park the car and I’ve never heard of anyone having issues with security in the car park, but make sure to hide any valuables out of plain site and lock the car. You ‘ll then walk over to the ticketing area, where you collect your tickets, or if you already have them show them to the staff. They’ll give you a wrist band. Do not lose this! It’s your proof that you’ve paid to be there. After tickets there’s a security check. They’re mostly checking for glass and cooking or fire making stuff and should only take a minute or 2. After this there’s a wee hut where you pay £3 for a return coach ticket. The walk to the campsite takes about 25-30 mins and it’s all uphill, with all your stuff. So this really is the best option. The coaches come about every 10 mins and one is never far away. The bus then takes you and your stuff up the hill and leaves you at the campsite. There’s usually 2 main ones: family and camper-vans and there’s loads of staff around to direct you to the right one. Once in, set up your tent and get your sleeping bag out. Basically take 15 mins to set your area up first. You’ll be thankful later!
Next open a beer and have a well deserved drink! Take a look around and note where your tent is, this will come in handy when you’re staggering back later that night. When you head over the Arena you’ll be checked for booze and have your wrist band checked. You can nip back and forth to the campsite as much as you like but make sure to keep any valuables on you. Have a walk around and note where the stages are, so you know where to go to see the bands you want. Be sure once you’re there that you soak it all in, join in a drum circle, make a poster, get your face painted, check out some new bands! Make sure and eat and drink some water through out the day, it’s a good 12 hours and you want to make sure you see it all.
Trying to decide what bands to see and when, use the clash finder.
Our Recommendations
Intermission
A 3 piece Alt-Rock group from Derry who have been around making noise (in one band or another) for quite a wee while now. The noise is starting to be heard and it’s getting louder. Great anthemic choruses and crunchy guitars makes us look forward to finally seeing these guys live.
Silhouette
You know the song off that NI 2012 Our Time, Our Place ads? Well that’s Sillhouette; catchy huh? Fronted by Shauna Tohill it’s “high energy alternative pop laced with flavours of darkness, hope and desire.” Having finally seen them live at Pigstock we’re pretty excited about catching them again.
Pocket Billiards
9 Piece Ska bastards from Belfast. Coming with a new album under one arm and a ready made party under the other. The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Triggerman
If you like your riffs chunky and your rock hard, then these are the guys for you. Bringing a sound thats familiar, catchy but strangley unique. Rock up on the day, let your hair down and perhaps even join in a mosh pit.
Tucan
Beautiful music played beautifully. Known for thier amazing instrumental re-workings of modern pop songs, These guys play the most amazing and precise guitars you’ll hear all day.
We’ll be heading up early on saturday morning and have a full write up ASAP. We hope to see you up the mountain! #smallbutmassive
