Published: Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 2:30pm

New festival aims to find fresh talent

by Julie Gilbert

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Outdoor gig aims to attract 5,000 music fans

Clydebank is set to stage an outdoor live music festival featuring three stages, 42 acts and up to 5,000 gig-goers.

The first G81 Music Festival is taking place over the weekend of August 1 and 2 at Whitecrook Rugby Club.

The line up includes 14 Clydebank acts.

It has been organised by Clydebank music promoter Austin O"Donnell, 44, of Snooky Maguire Promotions.

Austin told the Post: 'There"s going to be a main stage and then a smaller stage.

'There will be a mixture of everything from Reggae to rock as well as indie, skat and pop.

'We"re also going to have a marquee with acoustic music - mostly folk and country - and an open mic session for about two hours.'

Austin believes the festival will benefit the town and if everything goes well he hopes to make it an annual event.

He said: 'It"s about giving local people and local bands a platform.

'These bands have a fan base in Clydebank but they are always having to drag their crowd into Glasgow.

'I just want somewhere to showcase the talent in Clydebank - we are one step away from finding the next Wet Wet Wet.

'This is about putting Clydebank back on the map.'

The G81 music festival is designed to appeal to all age groups and is even suitable for kids.

Austin said: 'The majority of the bands are made up of people in their twenties.

'But there are some bands like Four Good Men who are in their mid forties.

'And we"re going to have an REM tribute band that will appeal to a lot of age groups.

'Kids can come along as well as there"s going to be face painting and I have had a meeting with the people from M and D"s to see if we can get a fun fair.'

The festival is not intended to be a camping festival, but Austin is looking into the possibility of allowing people to pitch tents.

Anyone wanting more information can get in touch via www.myspace.com/g81musicfestival.

There are 5,000 tickets including weekend passes and day briefs.