Calvin Harris set to rock Kilmarnock's Grand Hall

Jun 12 2009 by Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard

IRELAND’S Saw Doctors, England’s Lloyd Cole and Scotland’s own Calvin Harris have been confirmed as headline acts for this summer’s Kilmarnock Edition festival.

Tickets for the August gigs taking place at Dean Castle and the Grand Hall go on sale today, Thursday, with a series of sell-outs already anticipated.

Hot from his performance on the main stage of T in the Park, Calvin Harris will perform in the Grand Hall on Sunday, August 9.

Killie fan Calvin, whose hits include Dance Wiv Me, Acceptable in the 80s and his most recent chart-topper I’m not Alone, is of course the nation’s very own darling of electronica and new wave disco.

In sharp contrast, folk-rock favourites the Saw Doctors take to the stage the same night, just up the road at Dean Castle. The County Galway crew have a fervent following and their live shows are legendary. The band still hold the record for Ireland’s biggest-selling single of all time – I Useta Lover topping the Irish charts for nine weeks back in 1990.

Saturday night, August 8, sees Lloyd Cole making a transatlantic journey to perform at Dean Castle. The Cole man has a career spanning 25 years and a discography of 19 albums and countless singles, but maybe still remains best-known for his 80s work with The Commotions. He’ll fly in from his home in the USA to play a solo acoustic set. Indie pop outfit Camera Obscura, from Glasgow, provide support on the night.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the castle courtyard will play host to a number of other acts including A Band Called Quinn and Kilmarnock’s own The Symptoms. Entry to the courtyard in the afternoons will be free, with bands onstage from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Acts are being added daily and a full programme is expected to be announced this weekend.

Tickets for the Dean Castle evening events cost £15, with tickets for Calvin Harris at the Grand Hall pegged at £14.

Tickets are on sale from 10am today, Thursday, and can be bought in person at the Palace Theatre box office. Alternatively ring the box office on 01563 554900.

Further information and listings are available by visiting www.kilmarnockeditionfestival.com.

East Ayrshire Council are delighted they’ve secured such big names for the festival.

Said Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of the council: “I’m thrilled that we have managed to attract such well-known names to Kilmarnock and build on the event from last year.

“We are expecting tickets to sell fast due to the intimate nature of the venues. People are really looking forward to seeing the bands up close and personal.

“It’s also great to have DF concerts, promoters of T in the Park, working in partnership with our arts and museums team to provide the programme. They’ve helped us to secure these top-flight acts, and it’s also very encouraging that they realise the potential of our Kilmarnock sites.”

Councillor Jim Todd hailed the line-up as ‘fantastic’.

He said: “There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“I believe all three events will get the support of the residents of East Ayrshire and I am also looking forward to attracting people from across Scotland to show them what Kilmarnock has to offer.”