CONNECT FESTIVAL RETURNS TO EDINBURGH THIS YEAR WITH HEADLINE SETS FROM PRIMAL SCREAM, FRED AGAIN, LOYLE CARNER AND BOYGENSIUS
Connect Music Festival has announced the first of its fantastic lineup for 2023, as it gets ready to make a big return to Edinburgh later this year.
The festival, which celebrates an eclectic array of musical talent, comedy, spoken word and wellness, has revealed another stellar bill of artist headliners alongside boutique experiences.
Headlining the opening night of Connect 2023 will be Scots rock legends Primal Scream present Screamadelica, who will be joined by Franz Ferdinand, American four-piece Future Islands, House Gospel Choir, indie-electronic-pop group Confidence Man, along with London-based duo Jockstrap, Ethan P. Flynn, Glasgow punks Humour, Austrian duo Kruder & Dorfmeister, plus Irish selector David Holmes, and Glasgow-local Dija.
From playing King Tut’s in Glasgow in 2021 to being nominated for a Grammy and Brit Award only two years later, Fred again.. will mark his third Scottish appearance by headlining Connect on Saturday 26th August, and will be joined by Edinburgh-natives Young Fathers, Irish singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy, indie pop band MUNA, electronic musician Kelly Lee Owens, Biig Piig plus Free Love. English indie band Friendly Fires, Rachel Chinouriri, TAAHLIA, Leith Ross, Terra Kinn, Edinburgh-based experimental band, Redolent, and L’Objectif will also be treating revellers to their music. Fans are in for a treat with iconic duo Optimo (Espacio), who have a huge loyal following after a years-long residency at Glasgow’s Sub Club and, Eclair Fifi, Joy Anonymous, Sofay, J Wax, and Jamie Gunn.
Finally, on Sunday, American indie-rock supergroup boygenius featuring Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, will be closing the festival. London hip hop artist Loyle Carner will also be headlining, after his recent album ‘Hugo’ launched at the end of last year. Along with Sunday’s headliners, Raye, Public Service Broadcasting, English rock band Lightning Seeds, Olivia Dean and Christian Lee Huston will take to the stage. Sunday will also play host to Scots indie rock band Arab Strap, ‘folktronica’ artist Beth Orton, Wunderhorse, Kamal, Katie Gregson-MacLeod, Panic Shackl and Louis Culture. Daniel Avery, who recently launched his latest album ‘Ultra Truth’, electronic producer Mona Yim, Rory James, and Glasgow DJ Frankie Elyse will also be performing.
Building on the phenomenal success of the 2022 festival, Connect have made a variety of enhancements and additions to the weekend, including an expansion to the camping area, allowing festival-goers to bring their own tent, along with boutique and pre-pitched tents plus an area for live-in vehicles.
Tickets for children aged 0-12 will be available for entry to this year’s festival, meaning families can enjoy a great weekend together. A full programme of children’s activities will be announced in due course.
The site is also easily accessible by fantastic and affordable public transport links right across the country – a return bus journey from Glasgow to Ingliston can be purchased for just £10.
In addition to fantastic music, festival-goers can expect top-quality food featuring some of the best local traders thanks to Edinburgh’s established Neighbourgood Market which was born out of lockdown and has welcomed over 200,000 food aficionados since, who promise to bring some of the most sought-after traders to Connect 2023. After the success of last year’s event, which received critical acclaim and 5-star reviews, Connect Festival is delighted to have Chef Barry Bryson back who will bring his sell-out concept menu to the Chef’s Table.
Makers Markets will support local and national artisans who will bring beautifully unique pieces such as prints, jewellery, pottery and clothing to Connect. Workshops will also be taking place in this newly formed area for 2023, so people can get involved and personalise their favourite items. For those looking for something more zen, the festival’s Rest & Be Thankful wellness programme is returning this year. Nestled away in The Meadow, it offers attendees a space to relax and rejuvenate with workshops including Soul Water Sauna, breath work, sound healing and yoga, with a full programme to be announced.
Finally, Connect Festival will also be home to amazing artwork, showcasing a variety of budding artists, creating pieces on site. Street art initiative Yardworks and up-and-coming artist Trackie McLeod will be featured, along with alternative illustrator, Jenny Soep who previously attended Connect in both 2007 and 2008.
Katt Lingard, Festival Manager, said: “We’re delighted to announce our lineup for Connect 2023. After such a fantastic festival in 2022, we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to an even bigger and bolder edition this summer.
“We have an unrivalled programme of music, acclaimed comedy and an expanded wellbeing schedule. We’re opening our doors to families, with dedicated entertainment for children of all ages, and adding a fantastic artisan food destination. Connect really is a unique event in Scotland, bringing together everything that’s great about live music, being outdoors and I really feel we’ve created something so much bigger than the sum of its parts.
Connect is all about being with friends and loved ones, creating our own community for the weekend, full of like-minded people, at one of the most beautiful festivals in the country.”
Tickets are available to purchase through pre-sale on the Connect Music Festival website from Thursday 2nd March, and will be on sale from Friday 3rd at 10am.
For more information on Connect Music Festival, visit https://connectmusicfestival.com/