Dumfries Rocks To The Beat On Big Burns Supper Opening Night
Nine-day festival kicks off in style with ska sensation
The fifth annual Big Burns Supper festival in Dumfries kicked off last night with a packed gig by The Beat.
Seldom have there been so many Harrington jackets in the heart of the town since the late 70s.
Speaking after the show, lead singer Ranking Roger, said: “It was a great show and a lovely audience – we really loved being for the start of the festival.”
The show, in the festival’s Spiegeltent main venue, featured new work and classics like Stand Down Margaret, Mirror in the Bathroom and Hands off She’s Mine.
Graham Main, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “What a way the get our fifth Big Burns Supper underway. The Beat were great and that’s just the beginning – we have so much more to come.”
Big Burns Supper is supported by partners including the Holywood Trust and EventScotland. It also benefits from £45,000 from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Councillor Colin Smyth, the council’s Events Champion said: “The special ambience of the Spiegeltent made it the perfect venue for The Beat. This was a great festival gig and the audience just loved it.
“It’s terrific that we can have a festival of this scale and ambition in Dumfries and I hope people from all over Scotland are browsing through all that we have to offer and booking up for other shows.”
Big Burns Supper 2016 takes place from 22 to 30 January, with a whole host of shows and entertainment wrapped round the Bard’s birthday – there will also be the fabulous Burns Night Carnival.
Tickets are on sale at www.bigburnssupper.com and from the box office at 28 Munches Street, Dumfries or by calling 01387 271820. Box Office is open from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Big Burns Supper is a registered charity and is funded by Holywood Trust, Robertson Trust, Scotland’s Winter Festival programme, and through Dumfries & Galloway Council’s event strategy, and sponsored by 8020 Communications, and Electric Theatre Workshop.
