In response to the continued need for structures to be set in place to nurture young creative talent while providing a platform for the Irish music scene, the Glasgowbury Music Group was formed at the turn of the millennium.
Providing activities and services ranging from songwriting workshops to animation master classes, from sound advice projects to the annual festival, Glasgowbury has become a force for creative change in areas where cultural activities remain stifled by a lack of recognition and funding.
Run by musicians, for musicians the Glasgowbury Music Group is a not for profit organisation currently pending charitable status; ever expanding to cater the needs and wants of local communities throughout the country.
In 2000 the first Festival took place when Paddy Glasgow organised a gathering of local bands and songwriters to perform a concert to raise awareness for the Ulster Cancer Foundation charity.
Igniting a spark that has yet to be doused, Paddy quickly realised the potential such an event would have in Northern Ireland and persisted in his attempts to take Glasgowbury to the top.
The success of the festival in 2002 was the cornerstone for the ‘Small But Massive’ attitude which continues to echo through the Sperrins to this day. Word soon filtered back to the cities and the media and the Glasgowbury legend was born.
But far from being a once a year celebration, Glasgowbury soon became synonymous with Northern Ireland’s music culture as a hub for musicians and artistic thinking people alike to express themselves through workshops, seminars and events.
Monthly G Session Gigs would soon follow, offering an outlet of expression for up-and-coming as well as established acts. The Rural Key Music Project would be next, giving local youth the knowledge and know-how to take their work to the next level.
Continually growing in size and stature, in 2009 the Glasgowbury Group was the recipient of multiple awards relating to their various endeavours including four Irish Festival Awards where the fans voted Glasgowbury, among other things, Ireland’s Best Small Festival.
2010 was an equally exciting year for the group including the introduction of its highly successful Boogie Buddies Dance Classes and G Decks showcases as well as another capacity filled festival which narrowly missed out on becoming recognised as the UK’s Best Small Festival.
As the group looks forward throughout 2011, many more exciting activities are destined to be put in place. But as always the ‘Small But Massive’ motto will be at the heart of all things Glasgowbury.
Activities provided by the Glasgowbury Music Group:
Music education for new music generations: Rural Key Music Project / Sound Advice Project / All ages tutoring in acoustic, electric and bass guitar and drums / Songwriting master classes / Multimedia projects / Outreach workshops tailored to group needs.
G Sessions/G Decks Gigs: A monthly showcase of the finest original music from across the country.
Annual Glasgowbury Festival: A yearly celebration of all that’s good about the Irish music scene.
