2015 sees the return of Youth Beatz to Dock Park, Dumfries, we are proud to announce the three acts that will headline the main stage at Youth Beatz are Union J, Scouting for Girls and Neon Jungle. Following the successes we have had in the past six years running the event with our partners, we expect thousands of young people to flock to Dock Park, Dumfries on Saturday 8th August to attend Scotland’s largest free youth music event. Demand for tickets is expected to be phenomenal as this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet with three head line acts. Again there will be a host of events in the 6 days leading up to the main day with events all across Nithsdale.
Union J are a British boy band consisting of members Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett, Jaymi Hensley and George Shelley. The band came forth in X Factor 2012 after not making it through boot camp the group were called back during judge’s houses. Their debut single, Carry You, was released in June 2013 their single peaked at number 6 in the United Kingdom. In April 2014, they released their second studio album You Got It All. It was preceded by the lead single “Tonight (We Live Forever)” and “You Got It All”. There online fan base is ever expanding with nearly two million likes on Facebook as well as over one million followers on Twitter.
Josh from Union J said “We love playing to our Scottish fans and have heard great things about the Youth Beatz atmosphere –we can’t wait!”
Scouting For Girls band consists of childhood friends Roy Stride, Greg Churchouse and Peter Ellard they have made the journey from playing in pubs in Harrow and Ruislip to headlining Wembley Arena. They are two friends who followed their dream, seduced a nation and sold two million records along the way. “We’re an old school band,” continues Roy. “We do everything ourselves. These songs on the Greatest Hits have really connected with people’s lives. After two years of hard touring, ‘Everybody Wants To Be On TV’ soared into the British top two, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’ gave them their first Number 1 single and by 2011. ‘The Light Between Us’ made it three out of three Top 10 albums as Scouting For Girls evolved into a national institution, the under-rated band we love more than we think we do.
Neon Jungle are Shereen Cutkelvin, Asami Zdrenka, Jess Plummer and Amira McCarthy. After they burst onto the music scene with breakthrough hit Trouble, followed by the top 5 single Braveheart in 2014. Since then, they have achieved another UK top 10 single and a top 10 album, and internationally a gold record in Australia and a top 10 Billboard dance chart hit in the US.
The headline acts will all be supported by the highest ever number of local youth talent from our region that includes Ben Stubbs, The Mermaids and M.R. McNeil.
Now in its seventh year, the award winning event is managed through a partnership led by the Community Learning and Development Service Nithsdale in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. Funding for the event has been secured from Nithsdale Area Committee, Young Start, Cash Back for Communities, Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Buccleuch Estates, West Sound and Inspiring Entrepreneur Project.
Youth Beatz also sees the continuation of the, hard hitting immersive and interactive learning experience – The World of Wonka. Following last year’s great success, the fantastic World of Wonka returns and will deal with issues that affect young peoples’ lives. Topics addressed will include domestic abuse, poverty, alcohol, sectarianism and legal highs amongst others. Over 50 local young people volunteer to be involved in developing this and will be working all summer to put together this award winning educational experience.
Councillor Ted Thompson, Provost of Dumfries said
“Youth Beatz and the World of Wonka is not just a music festival it is a community enterprise which encourages young people to take a pride in and to participate in their community. The event is specifically designed to do this whilst at the same time offering advice to our youth on the social issues which affect modern society. Those who have witnessed the efforts made by the Oasis group in promoting this event and others such as the Christmas Lights in Dumfries will recognise the value it brings. I am delighted that Nithsdale Area Committee has again funded this and for the reasons in making it the largest free youth event in Scotland open to all the young people of our region. I am sure it will continue to be as successful as that of previous years.”
Youth Beatz 2015 is free to enter, although tickets will be required and can be obtained from website – www.youthbeatz.co.uk
Priority will once again be given to ticket applications from Dumfries and Galloway postcodes to ensure as many local residents get to attend the event.
Connor Stenton, young volunteer from the youth events team involved in organising the event said; “This year’s Youth Beatz is set to be the best yet, event keeps growing and getting bigger and better and it is a great privilege to be involved and part of both Youth Beatz and The Events Team. I am really looking forward to being part of Youth Beatz again this year. It’s brilliant for us on the events team to be involved in something so amazing that’s always trying to improve on previous years. Youth Beatz is a great chance for young people to come together and create something really special”
During the run up to Youth Beatz and on the days of events we have a high number of volunteers who give up their time to come and help and this event would not be possible without them. Last year seen over 60 volunteers helping out between Youth Beatz, Youth Beatz Fringe and World of Wonka. Keep a look out for this year volunteering opportunities in the next few weeks to find out how you can be part of it.
This year also sees the return of Youth Beatz Fringe 2015 that will see different events running for 6 days across Nithsdale including events in Sanquhar, Kirkconnel, Lincluden and Lochside giving young people even more to do over the summer. Keep visiting www.youthbeatz.co.uk for more information as it becomes available and the full programme will be available in the coming weeks.
