The first Oban Live festival was a big hit as 10,000 people filled the town’s Mossfield Park across two nights.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter KT Tunstall headlined the open-air concert and unveiled some new material, which she had never publicly performed before, and was received enthusiastically.
She went down a treat with fans when she also belted out a string of her classics, including Suddenly I See, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Other Side of the World, while cajoling the crowd into a Mexican Wave.
Festival director Daniel Gillespie responded: “It was absolutely amazing. Everybody was really pleased with how it all went.
“We were so thankful that so many great bands wanted to be a part of it.
“It has been an amazing weekend of music, weather and west coast hospitality – Oban Live has been a huge success.
“Hosting the largest outdoor concert in the region has been a huge challenge, but one made possible by the hard work of so many involved and the support of key sponsors such as Event Scotland, Creative Scotland, Calmac and Tennent’s.
“The community of Oban have once again been fantastic hosts to people who have travelled from all over the world and will now be returning home with great memories – and a Scottish sun tan!
“To have KT Tunstall showcase new songs for the very first time was a fitting end to the first Oban Live. We hope this is the start of an annual event that will bring a huge economic boost to the town and region.”
Friday night saw performances from James Edwin and the Borrowed Band, Phil and Aly, Wolfstone, We Banjo 3 and Skipinnish.
Saturday night was
opened by Capercaillie, followed by Hunter and the Bear, Julie Fowlis and Skerryvore before Tunstall took the stage.
Glasgow outfit James Edwin and the Borrowed Band were picked to open Oban Live after taking part in the CalMac Culture competition at King Tut’s.
Guitarist Ronnie Gilmour said: “It is tough without a label to crack into the festival circuit, so this was a great stepping stone and a great way of making contacts.”
Organisers of Oban Live now plan to have a debrief and fix dates for next year’s event.
