Making its initial appearance during the summer of 2000, the Glasgowbury Music Festival began as a small gathering of local bands and songwriters to raise awareness of the Ulster Cancer Foundation.
The festival got its name from a moment of comedy genius in reference to Glastonbury taking place at the same time. The name has now become inspirational to new and emerging talent from across the country looking for an outlet for expression and performance.
The following year was proof that word had clearly spread and the small but massive motto was born. News soon filtered back to the towns and cities that something rather special and unbelievable was occurring near Draperstown and everyone wanted a piece.
In 2003 the response was staggering. Radio, television and press began to sit up and take notice and with two stages, 24 acts and camping and parking facilities, the little festival that could had tapped into a public desire. Glasgowbury had transformed into a mini city of peace, love and harmonies.
In 2004, the festival was on the move again but never failed to lose sight of its goals, constantly offering that platform which had seen it so widely praised. The following year would see Glasgowbury move indoors, before finally settling into its now legendary home at Eagles Rock in the heart of the Sperrins.
The spectacular backdrop has become associated with the forever friendly atmosphere and ethos of the festival and acts climbing the mountain soon became plentiful and established. While nurturing the talent that would eventually reach their pinnacle before coming back to roost at the festival that gave them a chance, Glasgowbury started to pull in the big guns.
Early memorable performances from the likes of Red Organ Serpent Sound, Duke Special, The Undertones and Henry McCullough set a standard of excellence for the emerging new talent including acts like the now established Fighting With Wire, The Answer, General Fiasco and In Case Of Fire.
In 2009 the festival was a sell out success as a capacity crowd of thousands came together under the one sky in the Sperrins to witness one of the most special festivals yet as And So I Watch You From Afar catapulted the main stage to iconic new heights.
In 2010, the Glasgowbury Music Festival will be 10 years old and plans are already in motion to set in place a monstrous line-up of the country’s finest talent for a colossal weekend of entertainment.
What started as something small, has grown into something quite massive.
