A major free outdoor festival is coming to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park this summer.
The festival is part of Dandelion, an ambitious creative programme taking place across Scotland in 2022 which will 'inspire people to ‘sow, grow and share’ food, music, knowledge and ideas.
The three-day long festival, which takes place from June 17 to 19, will see the west end park transformed with live music, interactive walkabout theatre, science and creative activities for all the family, talks, participatory workshops and food, as part of a unique festival that dares to reimagine our relationship with food and the planet.
The Friday evening and Saturday of the festival will be devoted to live music from Scottish and international artists across two stages presented in partnership with Celtic Connections and Glasgow Life.
In Glasgow, the music line-up includes performances from the likes of Rura, Les Amazones d’Afrique, Newton Faulkner, Niteworks, This is the Kit, Admiral Fallow, Glasgow African Balafon Orchestra, Emma Pollock, Elisabeth Elektra, Karine Polwart, Carla J Easton, Jayda and Amandah Wilkinson, with more special guests to be announced ahead of the Festival.
Sitting at the heart of the festival site will be the spectacular ‘Pavilion of Perpetual Light’, a striking 10-metre-tall art installation. The Pavilion is created from 60 miniature vertical farms - 1m x 1m growing cubes specially created for Dandelion, brought together to form a giant structure, with built-in stage, acting as a backdrop to performances.
The installation will host an abundance of plant life, tended to by ‘performer-technicians’ creating a spectacular focal point. The site will host a further two stages, including the circular ‘Orchard Stage’ presenting artists in the round, allowing people to gather 360 degrees around the stage to see bands in a close-up, intimate setting.
Alongside the live music, sits a creative programme of activities for all ages. Over the three days, scientists, activists, technologists and writers will come together with chefs, musicians, artists and performers to spark conversations around Dandelion’s core theme of how people can creatively engage with topics such as food poverty, climate action and sustainability.
A series of Dandelion ‘Potting Sheds’ will also be dotted across the park, hosting artists, performers and community organisations, whilst Dandelion’s team of student horticulturalists will be on hand to answer questions about plants and growing. There is the chance to get up close and learn more about Dandelion’s growing cubes, whilst under 5s can discover the world of plants and nature in The Nursery. On Friday daytime the Dandelion Festival will welcome local schools to take part in science activities, talks and creative workshops. The event will culminate on the Sunday with a mass free plant giveaway to inspire the public to grow at home and a special long table community meal share.
Donald Shaw, Music Director of Dandelion said: “We’re delighted to reveal the first artists for Glasgow’s Dandelion Festival. It will be a very special environment with performances on unique stages within the iconic splendour of Kelvingrove Park. We’re also very excited to be able to host the premiere performance of Hen Hoose, a brilliant new collective of Scottish female and non-binary musicians.
"All of the musicians who feature on our line-up have a passion for the values of Dandelion, sharing our beliefs in environmentalism, individual action against climate change and the need to address issues around food poverty. The Dandelion Festivals tell the Dandelion story in creative, accessible, powerful ways and make the connections between growing and cultural experiences. These are truly family friendly events with interactive demos, talks and discussion about art, science and music for everyone at all levels of interest.
The festival in Glasgow is free to attend and non-ticketed. For further information visit dandelion.scot.
