Further information of the Big Tent programme will be announced in due course. In the meantime, to find out more or book tickets please visit www.bigtentfestival.co.uk

Appeal for volunteers to pitch up for Big Tent

Big Tent, Scotland’s environmental festival is appealing for volunteers to pitch up to help ensure the smooth running of the event which takes place from 23rd- 25th July. Dozens of volunteers are needed to help with manning the ticket stalls, helping out with workshops and assisting with the set up and dismantle of the event infrastructure.

Set on Falkland Estate in Fife against the stunning backdrop of the Lomond Hills, Big Tent is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Since its inception it has grown year-on-year, becoming a must-visit occasion for the whole family.

Lesley McLaren, Event Director, Falkland Centre for Stewardship said: “Our volunteers were absolutely invaluable at last year’s event, and really helped to make the festival a huge success. This year we need volunteers to respond to the challenge and help with tasks such as selling tickets, helping out in the festival café, and stewarding tents.”

“Big Tent is a celebration of best practice in environmental action and cultural creativity. The festival promises a fantastic atmosphere in the most beautiful setting, a wide range of activities, and some of the very best music around.”

She concluded: “Volunteering at Big Tent is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and experience the festival in a whole new way. We have a variety of jobs and opportunities for volunteers throughout the build up and the break-down of the event and on the days of the festival itself and would love as many people as possible to get in touch and join us.”

Around 12,000 people from throughout Fife, Scotland and further afield are expected to attend Big Tent, which will see people enjoy a packed programme focussed around the themes of Moving with Africa, Know your Place and the Future of Food.

There will be thought-provoking environmental perspectives and intelligent, lively debate for anyone interested in getting into the nitty gritty of global issues, lots of children’s entertainment, alternative therapies, arts and crafts and great food and drink. The music programme will feature an exciting line-up of up and coming and established artists with music inspired by the four corners of the globe.

Organised by Falkland Centre for Stewardship, the three day festival is family-friendly and packed with a range of great activities.

To find out more about volunteering at Big Tent please contact Lesley McLaren on 01337 858838 or lesley@centreforstewardship.org.uk or visit www.bigtentfestival.co.uk

First music acts unveiled for
Big Tent 2010

Music at the Big Tent plays an integral role; with some unmissable acts helping to make Scotland’s Environmental Festival a must-visit weekend and 2010 will be no exception.

The music programme kicks off on the evening of Friday 23rd July until Sunday 25th July  and will feature an exciting line-up of up and coming and established artists with music inspired by the four corners of the globe. There is a major focus on world music and on celebrating the best of Fife during its Year of Culture.

The first batch of confirmed artists includes King Creosote and FOUND of Fife’s Fence Collective, Aberfeldy, Joe Acheson Quartet, Nuala Kennedy, Mr McFalls Chamber and Sharon King.

Kenny Anderson aka King Creosote has released over forty albums and is the founder of Fence Records, Fife’s best-known record label and hugely successful musical collective.

FOUND, the experimental pop band that merges garage rock, melodic and electronic pop is red hot and has just won a Scottish BAFTA award. Inventive and highly creative, FOUND is a fantastic live band with a lot to say and a plethora of positive reviews.

Aberfeldy and their diverse indie-pop will make their Big Tent debut. Since forming in 2002, the Edinburgh band has supported top acts such as REM, Blondie, the Scissors Sisters, James Blunt and Paolo Nutini.

Aberfeldy is one of the most diverse bands to emerge in Scotland in recent years and utilise a blend of soft percussion and shimmering acoustic guitars, creating dreamy soundscapes with simple and honest lyrics.

The Joe Acheson Quartet has been making mind-melting head music for a few years now, gaining huge praise in the process. Their music is on a grand scale, evoking the likes of Cinematic Orchestra and DJ Shadow, but with a distinctive Scottish hue.

Mr McFalls Chamber plays a range of music from tango, through jazz and rock to contemporary classical and a whole lot more, perfectly reflecting the diversity that Big Tent promotes. They are all principle players of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and have been called “the single most important group in Scotland.”

Both Sharon King and Nuala Kennedy have the ability to enthral audiences with their impressive singer-songwriter credentials. Sharon King blends modern folk and country, whilst Nuala Kennedy interprets traditional Irish and Scottish music in the most upbeat and original way, she released a new album called ‘Tune In’ last month.

There will also be an extensive world music programme with a number of international acts taking part, helping to reflect the cultural diversity that is so much at the heart of Big Tent.

Phil Kay will be reprising his role as MC of all that he surveys in the tented village and is sure to add an extra dimension of fun and frolics to the weekend’s events.

Dana MacLeod, Cultural Programme Director for Big Tent said: “Our music programme reflects the ethos of Big Tent - locally rooted but with a global perspective. It is a melting pot of musical styles with a healthy measure of both Scottish and International groups from Anstruther to Zimbabwe!  Emerging and experimental music will sit alongside classical and traditional with a programme featuring electro art pop, tango and celidh bands on the same bill. 

So whether you are a serious aficionado who wants to be intellectually challenged, listen to new songwriting, or someone who wants to jig about in your wellies, there will be something to entertain, delight and even surprise you at the Big Tent.”

Helen Lawrenson, Centre Director, Falkland Centre for Stewardship added: “As a flagship event of Fife’s Year of Culture we’d like to thank Fife Council for its funding. We are very excited about the acts we are announcing today and look forward to announcing our headline acts and world music programme at a later date.”

The music programme will include diverse musical styles such as indie-pop, folk, world, country, jazz, experimental, acoustic and even classical. Early bird tickets with 10% discount are now available on www.bigtentfestival.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Big Tent is Scotland’s environmental festival and winner of the greener festival award 2009. It takes place from 23rd – 25th July. Set on Falkland Estate in Fife against the stunning backdrop of the Lomond Hills, 2010 is the event’s fifth anniversary.  Organised by Falkland Centre for Stewardship, the three day festival is family-friendly and packed with a range of great activities.