Details have been unveiled for this year’s Wigtown Shindy – four days of live music and other entertainment showcasing Dumfries and Galloway talent.
Taking place in the town gardens and the Bladnoch Distillery courtyard from 15-18 August it promises more live performers and a bigger mix of musical styles.
And, as it’s all taking place in Scotland’s national Book Town, there will be a series of events organised by Wigtown Book Festival.
Among the live bands will be Kissing the Flint, the ever-popular multi-award nominated international singer-songwriter Leah Chynoweth-Tidy.
Leah is an Australian-brewed artist, Scottish-distilled since 2020.
Kissing The Flint (translation: creating a spark) is fuelled by an authentic, adventurous spirit and powerhouse voice captivating audiences with heartfelt stories and vivid imagery, softness and sass – moving easily from melodic, roots beauty to empowered rock raunch.
There will also be An ABBA Dream with their high-energy routines, stunning vocals and musicality which leaves audiences blown away by their resemblance to ABBA at the peak of their success.
The ABBA Dream girls have performed worldwide and have sung ABBA’s biggest hits to sold out crowds on stages throughout the world.
You can also enjoy Dark Saturday, a dynamic four-piece pop/rock/alternative cover band from Dumfries.
Rhona Sturrock on vocals, Robert Milligan on guitar, and Scott Malone on drums recently welcomed Chris Nelson on bass.
With Scott’s roots in Wigtown, the Wigtown Shindy holds a special significance as a homecoming gig for the band.
The event also promises the Driftwood Kippen Ceilidh band as well as great activities for children and families.
The fully licenced bar will have a wide selection of local beers, ciders and spirits and there will be a big marquee to stave off the variety of summer weather. There will also be stalls, games and a family picnic.
Matt Kitson, festival director, said: “We’ve got some absolutely cracking entertainment lined up for this year’s Wigtown Shindy – it’s our best ever line up and our biggest ever event.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people along to enjoy everything from books events to brilliant beer, live music of many kinds plus loads of family friendly fun and activities for children.”
The Shindy started back in 2021 and has become a popular part of the Galloway entertainments calendar.
Nick Savage from the Bladnoch Distillery added: “With the challenges in our world over the last few years, our communities have been critical to navigating a path.
“At Bladnoch Distillery, we are committed to growing and empowering our local community as it fuels everything we do.
“The spirit of the community is crucial to us all and the Wigtown Shindy has been a point of enjoyment over the last few years, and we at Bladnoch Distillery want to empower and support these events for everyone.
“We consider giving back to our community a critical part of our business, and we hope everyone can enjoy the 2024 Wigtown Shindy together with a dram of Bladnoch.”
Follow the Shindy on:
- Facebook: @wigtownshindy
- Website: https://wigtownshindy.uk/
The Wigtown Shindy 2024 programme
Thursday 15 Aug
Town Gardens Marquee
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm: Friend of Wigtown: Join the Wigtown Festival Company for tea and cakes and find out about becoming a Friend of Wigtown Book Town. Help write the next chapter and enjoy special treatment at the annual Wigtown Book Festival along the way.
- 4:30pm to 5:30pm: Author event – featuring a surprise special guest.
- 6:00pm to 7:30pm: Where Book Town Began: The closure of Bladnoch Distillery and Bladnoch Creamery; families forced to move away to find employment; buildings derelict and in disrepair; unemployment levels up by 17%. Meta Maltman and Sandra McDowall talk with Willie Johnson about the scene in 1996 before Wigtown became Book Town and 25 years of development.
- 8:30pm to 10:30pm: Driftwood Kippen Ceilidh: Join Driftwood Kippen for two hours of Ceilidh fun. Put on your dancing shoes and join in. Don’t worry if you don’t know all or any of the dances as they will all be called.
Friday 16 Aug
Town Gardens Marquee
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm: Bingo: Join us for an afternoon of Fun & Prizes for all. Eyes down for a Full House.
- 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Josephine and The Shades: Covers band playing all your favourite Pop, Rock and Indie Classics … something for everyone.
- 8:30pm to 10:30pm: Dark Saturday: A dynamic four-piece pop/rock/alternative cover band hailing from Dumfries.
Saturday 17 Aug
At the Bladnoch Distillery
- 12:00pm to 2:00pm: Nathon, Rhona and Roger.
Town Gardens Marquee
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm: TV Gameshows: Enjoy an afternoon in the marquee or picnic in the gardens and why not be a contestant as we recreate some of your favourite TV Gameshows to win prizes. Fun for all the family.
- 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Kissing the Flint: Local multi-award nominated international singer-songwriter Leah Chynoweth-Tidy is an Australian-brewed artist, Scottish-distilled since 2020.
Sunday 18 Aug
Town Gardens Marquee
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm: Circus Skills: Join DMC Entertainments circus clowns as the teach you some of the skills of the circus. Fun for all ages.
- 6:00pm to 7:00pm: The Feelgood Fever: A three-piece rhythm and blues band. They used to go out as Loose Wheels and appeared regularly at the Craft at Wigtown. They are as good as a Dr Feelgood Tribute as you can get.
- 8:30pm to 10:30pm: An Abba Dream: Time to dust off your 70s glam as we close out this year’s Wigtown Shindy with An ABBA Dream. So, channel your inner Dancin’ Queen and make sure that your Momma Doesn’t know that you’re out.
