Del Amitri, Twin Atlantic and local Ayrshire lads Fatherson are among the big names heading to Irvine for the inaugural Making Waves festival.
Joining the household names on the stage on Saturday, July 23 will be JJ Gilmour, Blue Rose Code, Nerina Pallot and Anna Sweeney.
And the world-renowned Red Arrows will also take to the sky and provide a spectacular aerobatic display for spectators.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, May 18, priced at £45 (subject to booking fee), and will be available online from: www.seetickets.com or www.ticketsource.co.uk
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone (no booking fee) from the Harbour Arts Centre during regular opening hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 3pm, Fridays, 9am to 5pm and Saturdays, 12noon to 5pm / 01294 274059.
Tickets are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Headliners Del Amitri, Twin Atlantic and Fatherson, all Scottish alternative rock bands, will take to the open-air stage with live performances of their crowd favourite tracks.
Local volunteer group Freckfest has been supporting the council in securing acts for the festival.
Speaking about Saturday’s event line-up, Craig Smart said: “We are thrilled to be working closely in partnership with the council to provide this event - hopefully the first of more to come.
“This is exactly why our organisation was put together, to bring back music events to an area that used to enjoy this size of event regularly in the 90s. As always, the inspiration for all that we do comes from the memory of our dear friend Willie Freckleton who was so instrumental in those elysian days.
“We hope that everyone in the town and beyond will do their utmost to support this festival, as we believe there may be scope for this to become an annual event.
"However, the success and the future of this event relies on people supporting Making Waves by buying tickets, telling their friends and getting the area back on the map as a major event destination once again.”
Del Amitri formed in Glasgow in 1980 and has sold six million albums worldwide. Between 1985 and 2002, the band released six studio albums with popular songs including Roll to Me, Always the Last to Know and Nothing Ever Happens.
Twin Atlantic was formed in 2006 in Glasgow and have cemented themselves as a firm festival favourite with a long list of high-profile events under their belts. They have released six studio albums featuring tracks such as Heart and Soul, Crash Land, Barcelona and No Sleep, which was premiered by Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 as the ‘hottest record in the world’.
Fatherson, formed in Kilmarnock, brings some Ayrshire talent to the Making Waves line-up. With four albums and a decade of notorious gigs performing alongside the likes of Biffy Clyro and Kings of Leon, the trio’s following is continuously growing.
As Scotland’s new seaside festival, Making Waves will take place at the Harbourside and Beach Park on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July. It is being arranged by the council in partnership with local groups and organisations.
Sunday’s line-up – due to be announced soon – will provide music performances from tribute acts and family favourites.
Karen Yeomans, director of growth and investment said: “We are excited to finally share with you the talented acts that will be coming to Irvine this summer to take part in the first-ever Making Waves Festival. It offers a good mix of great live music from renowned Scottish bands - so there will be something for everyone.
“This is the first in what we hope becomes a regular festival here in North Ayrshire, as well as acting as a catalyst for other commercial events in the future.
“So why not get your friends and family together for a weekend of entertainment in our stunning seaside destination and be part of Making Waves Festival 2022.”
Throughout the weekend there will be free entry to the Scottish Maritime Museum, with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, a family fun fair and a ‘makers market’.
The Harbour Arts Centre will offer a range of arts and crafts and drama activities, and the Courtyard Studios will hold an Open Studios weekend – a chance to visit the studios and see the work produced by local artists.
Stalls and exhibits will also be dotted along the Harbourside offering additional activities, opportunities to join in wildlife-spotting and the chance to find out more about the many clubs and organisations in North Ayrshire. There will also be taster sessions of water- based activities like paddle boarding.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
