Connect Music Festival


The Connect Music Festival was a music festival that took place in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, located on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll, Scotland. It was aimed at more mature music fans and recent headliners included the Beastie Boys, Björk and Franz Ferdinand. The inaugural festival was held in 2007 and was repeated in 2008, sponsored by SSE and named Hydro Connect. The festival did not take place in 2009 or 2010 with the organisers blaming high running costs and the effects of the Financial crisis of 2007–2010.

Format

It is composed of five stages of music and two other areas:
The festival was held between 31 August and 2 September 2007. The festival - due to the large crowds and rain during the weekend - damaged the Winterton shinty pitch, home of Inveraray Shinty Club, meaning that the pitch was unplayable for the rest of the 2007 season.

Line-up

Oyster Stage

Guitars & Other Machines

Manicured Noise

The bandstand stage included performances from Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad.

2008 Festival

In 2008, the festival changed its name to Hydro Connect due to sponsorship from Scottish Hydro Electric. It was held between Friday 29 August and Sunday 31 August.

Line-up

The artists that performed included Kasabian, Manic Street Preachers, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Amy MacDonald, Sigur Rós, Goldfrapp, Paolo Nutini, Glasvegas, Mercury Rev, Gossip, Elbow, Duffy, The Coral, Ladytron, The Roots, Sparks, Crystal Castles, Young Knives, Santigold and Joan As Police Woman, Gomez, Foy Vance, Noah and the Whale.