As Homecoming Scotland 2009 still creates debate in the industry about its impacts a local music festival this weekend is apparently having direct economic impacts.According the Press and Journal, Montrose in Anugus is bracing itself for an influx of thousands of music fans when it holds its second annual festival this weekend. The Montrose Music Festival will officially open tonight with a concert by Scottish band Deacon Blue and with more than 70 free gigs over the course of the weekend, the event has doubled in size since last year.
In 2008 more than 5,000 people from across the country were drawn to the town to hear artists from a variety of musical genres, including rock, indie, funk, folk and jazz. An organiser was quoted as saying, "There has been a lot of interest in the town’s hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as in the festival’s official campsite, which is a good indicator of how popular it will be."
Whilst it may be argued that this is the very sort of event that should have benefited from the Homecoming umberella, it clearly hasn't embraced the branding. It however shouldn't distract from the point that it is these the localised events with local roots and clear localised impacts that have the best chance of longevity and buy in. They also have the potnential to achieve the sustainability that is required.
The free gigs will start on Saturday at 10.30am with a series of open-air performances on the town’s High Street, which will continue until 5.30pm.
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