aberdeenpj06

- New Living Traditions -

The below is taken from the Aberdeen Press and Journal of the 25th September 2006. It is one of the Newsquest stable of papers, and all Newsquest sites are garbage. I do not mind them being plain, I prefer it, but any story is only held on site for six months. The is no archive.

MUSIC FESTIVAL GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

NICHOLA WORKMAN

08:50 - 25 September 2006

It Is touted as the "little festival in the west", and with just one music tent, two bars and a handful of food stalls, it pretty much does what it says on the tin.

But Loopallu is about more than the festival behind the wire fence. At bars and hotels across Ullapool, the fringe brought live bands to the ticket-less and the curious.

And many were curious. Hundreds of music fans descended on the west coast village for the tiny festival, which is only in its second year.

Since the 2005 event, it has been championed by both Janice Long and Mark Radcliffe, two late-night influential DJs on Radio 2, who both made an appearance on stage this year.

It is largely thanks to them - and despite there being very little advertising elsewhere - the 2,500 tickets for the event sold out three weeks ago.

The festival is the brainchild of promoter Robert Hicks and John Wheeler, the lead singer of "rock grass" kings Hayseed Dixie.

And this year - like last year - the hillbilly rockers headlined the two-day gig with a barn-storming Saturday night set.

The American band were not the only draw for many of the out-of-town visitors to Ullapool. Dundee's The View - seen by many as The Next Big Thing - thrilled all those under 30.

But it was the group of middle-aged men in slacks and neatly-ironed shirts that followed them, that drew one of Saturday's largest crowds.

The Family Mahone, led by DJ Mark Radcliffe on lead vocals and drums, triumphed with a set of folksy tunes - almost exclusively, and appropriately, described as "drinking songs".

Loopallu is not just about the music, however. The food - venison hotdogs, posh porridge, and warming soup - is among the best found at any festival.

There was even a festival poet-in-residence who arrived with a collection of verse composed both this year and last, to share with the crowd.

Poet Glyn Watkins, who travelled from Bradford for the event, said: "Everybody in this town is involved in some way with this festival and everyone has a good time.

"It's open, it's friendly, and it's something to be proud of."

The first Loopallu triumphed despite lousy weather - this year the sun shone all day, ensuring it's reputation spreads further afield in time for next year's event.

Yesterday organiser Mr Hicks revealed that 600 tickets for Loopallu have been sold already.
He said: "I think that's the obvious indication of how well it has been received.

"The village is still buzzing and the atmosphere all weekend has been incredible. I am overwhelmed."