Youth Beatz 2018 is almost here! After months of excitement and preparation, Youth Beatz with Choices for Life returns!
Youth Beatz 2018 has been significantly expanded especially for Year of Young People 2018 due to the support from the Year of Young People funding, taking the event from 1 day for 12,000 to a 2 day event for 20,000 per day on a larger site – just in time for the events tenth anniversary. There are lots of new things to do and see on site due to this extra support from the Year of Young People funding, including an enhanced main stage programme, new Youth Beatz Kidz tent, a larger display zone, Colour Me Run and expanded activities across the site.
Scotland’s largest free youth festival and key event in Scotland’s Year of Young People is all set to welcome the SELL-OUT CROWD OF 40,000 TICKET HOLDERS over the weekend. On Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July, Dumfries’ Park Farm will play host to headliners SIGALA, JAX JONES, RUDIMENTAL and MAGGIE LINDEMANN as well as a host of fantastic acts who have previously performed at Youth Beatz, AND lots of local talent and entertainment from across Scotland.
Youth Beatz 2018 also sees a return of the hard hitting immersive and interactive youth learning experience – The Toon. The Toon Productions Presents The Mashup bringing together performances from previous shows including WONDERLAND, WORLD OF WONKA, and THE TOON, in an innovative way of dealing with issues that affect young peoples’ lives. Topics addressed will include domestic abuse, knife crime, drugs and alcohol, mental health, and bullying amongst others. Over 100 local young volunteers have been working since Easter to put together this award winning educational experience. Make sure you book in early at the Toon Box Office to ensure you get a place on a tour, as tickets always go fast!
Throughout the afternoon in the park, there is a massive range of activities for all the family to get involved in; from Laser Tag, Biking Display Teams, Nerf Gun arena, inflatable rides and assault courses, to a market place for young entrepreneurs and local youth organisations, as well as a dedicated Youth Beatz Kidz Tent with performances by FUNBOX – new for 2018! The Council’s Youth Services Team also have their Youth Work Area for you to come and find out what a youth centre is all about and get involved in some of the activities that are on offer across Dumfries and Galloway.
Entertainment in the form of music and dance will also be provided throughout the day on the D&G’S GOT TALENT STAGE, the UPLOAD STAGE and the OASIS CENTRE STAGE. Programming for the D&G’s Got Talent Stage and the Upload Stage has been carried out by young people involved in the Year of Young People 2018 Project Team, and The Upload Stage bands were selected by a panel of young people. There are a wide range of performers from Dumfries and Galloway, across Scotland, not to mention the headline acts! The full line-up for each stage can be found on the Youth Beatz website and social media channels.
Young People’s Champion, Councillor Adam Wilson, commented on the final preparations for Youth Beatz saying “It is great for Dumfries and Galloway Council to host this key event for Year of Young People 2018, and the scale of Youth Beatz and The Toon for its tenth anniversary has taken the festival to a whole new level. I know it will prove to be a high quality experience as always, and one that our Council is proud to support. It provides a brilliant platform for the young adults of Dumfries and Galloway to get involved and work together for the benefit of our communities. Above all, I would like to thank all staff and volunteers involved in the planning and delivery of the event, without whose commitment and effort the event would not be the success it is sure to be.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Youth Beatz Festival in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018. In its tenth anniversary year, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy with a fantastic line up of musicians and entertainment further reinforcing Scotland as the perfect stage for events. Whether it’s enjoying the array of headline acts, interacting with the Toon or visiting the young entrepreneurs’ marketplace, the festival will kick-start the summer holidays in Dumfries and Galloway.”
In its tenth successful year, the award winning youth event is managed through a partnership led by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Young Persons Service in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. The event is supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund, managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Further funding for the event had been secured from Choices for Life, Young Start, CashBack for Communities, CashBack for Creativity, Magnox, Creative Scotland, Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Dumfries and Galloway, and YouthLink Scotland.
Mark Molloy, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Manager for Young People’s Services said: “We have seen excellent demand for tickets for the event meaning it has sold out in advance and we would strongly advise people who do not already have tickets not to turn up on the day as no further tickets are available. All
successful ticket applications have been processed and tickets distributed by the event organisers. We would also ask that people arrive early as there will be no admission to the event after 9pm on Saturday and 8pm on Sunday, and to remember that no food or drink is allowed to be taken into Park Farm.”
Police Scotland has worked in partnership with Youth Beatz planners to ensure the focus of Youth Beatz is on young people from across Scotland being able to attend and enjoy the event in safety. This is a no alcohol event and a robust policing plan is in place to ensure that anybody who enters this area in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol will be refused entry. Any young person found in possession or under the influence of alcohol will have their parents contacted and requested to attend in order that they can be taken home safely.
Chief Inspector Stuart Davidson, Police Scotland said “We would like to remind those attending Youth Beatz that it is an alcohol free event, and as such local Police officers will be working closely with event staff to ensure anybody in possession or under the influence of alcohol will not gain entry to the event. All partners that are involved in the planning and delivery of the event want it to be a success and enjoyable for all, and would appreciate cooperation of those attending the event.”
To get all of the up to date information surrounding this year’s event, visit www.youthbeatz.co.uk
