Summer is officially Music Festival Season or, as we have come to dub it around these parts, Moaning About the Lack of Diversity on Music Festival Line-ups Season.
And yet, every year, nothing changes.
That’s why Flying Moon, a one-day music and arts festival taking place at the Flying Duck in Glasgow on Saturday, is so refreshing. A joint venture by Glasgow-based, woman-led music promotion company Moonstruck on Clydeside, local indie folk band Flying Penguins and the Flying Duck – an ethically-run vegan venue in the heart of the city – Flying Moon was born of a desire to showcase the demand for female-led acts, as well as wanting to provide an alternative to people who can’t afford larger festivals this summer.
Says Nicole Stapinski of Moonstruck on Clydeside: “We are very pleased and excited for our festival lineup, which showcases emergent, women-focused artistry throughout Scotland, in an industry climate often criticised for doing exactly the opposite.”
Running from 4pm to midnight, Flying Moon promises two stages of music, poetry and short-form theatre, plus stalls selling vegan and cruelty-free treats and handmade arts, crafts and jewellery. I’m already a fan of Vinyl Justice‘s recycled record jewellery – but I’d also be keen to check out recycled drum cymbal jewellery from Cymbal Things; Rebel Radical DIY‘s upcycled clothes, bags and custom patches; and cross-stitch decals and patches by Basicbitch Stitching.
Oh, you want to know about the music? Co-headling the dual stages are some of my current favourite Scottish performers: the richly soulful Annie Booth and arrestingly-voiced Megan Airlie; ukulele-wielding avenging angel Zoë Bestel and MG Alba Scots Singer of the Year 2017 nominee Iona Fyfe; and rockers CRYSTAL. Also on the bill you’ll find Woodwife, Misc. Meat, Luthia and Flying Penguins, plus short-form comedy/musical theatre from Neuro Trash and poetry from Andy Edwards.
All this for a mere £7 on the door, or £5 in advance if you’re quick. With money from ticket sales going directly to the artists, Flying Moon promises a more ethical model of music promotion as well as a damn good day/evening out. Check the Facebook event for more info and set times.
Images supplied by Flying Moon Music & Arts Festival; CRYSTAL photograph by Jannica Honey.