The Stage

Glasgow West End festival now second largest in UK

Published Tuesday 6 July 2004 at 10:45 by Ruth Gillespie

Glasgow’s West End Festival has attracted a record 100,000 participants, making it the second largest arts event in the UK after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Now in its ninth year, the two-week programme features more than 500 musical events, including performances by John McCusker, Kate Rusby, Martin Taylor, Capercaillie, Fraser Speirs, a free open air concert in the Botanic Gardens and a carnival parade.

Festival director Michael Dale said: “We are trying to grow in a sensible way and this year we managed to get more roads closed for the parade and attracted more people back into public places like the Botanic Gardens. In the West End we have a real shortage of good venues but we hope in future to develop closer links with the university and use the excellent facilities available there.

“Every year we get more big names coming on board and now we are looking forward to making our tenth anniversary Glasgow’s biggest cultural celebration to date.”

Although the festival receives a grant from the Scottish Arts Council, it is independently run and relies heavily on donations from local supporters and businesses.