Just over a week to go until Argyll music festival

Argyll’s biggest open-air live music event is set to take place next weekend.

OBANLIVE, taking place on 8 and 9 June, has launched two new films targeting people out with Argyll, as well as maritime visitors, following an award of £11,250 from EventScotland, part of the national tourism organisation’s Events Directorate.

The videos have been distributed via social media, targeting high populated Scottish cities and UK sailing and marine tourism markets respectively.

It is hoped the campaign will see the event enjoy a record attendance this year, and promote Oban as an accessible, attractive and marine tourism destination for visitors across Britain.

The first film, entitled ‘The last train to Oban’ is a beautiful short film about a grandfather who shares his affection for Oban and Oban Live music concert with his granddaughter Emma.

Images of the event and the town’s scenery and culture are shown whilst the grandfather recites his poem ‘Lovely Oban’. Viewers can also enjoy stunning shots of the train journey to Oban.

The second video, ‘Sail to Oban Live’ follows three very different yachts making their way to the event – sailing in and around Oban Marina, the new North Pier Pontoons and Dunstaffnage Marina. The video is supported by a webpage on obanlive.com with information on local facilities for marine visitors.

OBANLIVE, now in its third year, features a mix of traditional Scottish artists and international superstars and entertains around 8,000 music lovers at the famous Mossfield Stadium. It was created following the success of Skerryvore’s tenth anniversary concert DECADE and is still run by two of the band members and brothers, Daniel and Martin Gillespie.

This year’s line-up includes Skipinnish, Irish rock band Hermitage Green and festival favourites Skerryvore. The event experience is also enhanced with Fringe events in the town, VIP packages, well-stocked bars, amazing food vendors and unique merchandise.

This is the concert’s third year of funding through EventScotland’s National Programme Fund and is one of 12 events from across ten local authorities in Scotland which have benefited from nearly £100,000 of funding in the programme’s 37th round. The National Programme Fund plays an integral role in developing domestic tourism across Scotland by helping grow the country’s diverse events portfolio.

Daniel Gillespie, director of Oban Live, said: ‘When visitors come to Oban Live, not only do they get to experience an impressive, authentic Scottish music concert, but they also get to experience all that is on offer in the unique and cultural location of Oban.

Skipinnish, one of Scotland’s leading traditional music bands, will play at OBANLIVE

‘This funding from EventScotland has allowed us to create high quality, engaging content that combines and showcases both the event and the town as one package, which in turn will bring a significant boost to the local economy. A massive thank you to EventScotland for the support.’

David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland regional director, said: ‘I am delighted to see that OBANLIVE was one of the 12 events across the country to be supported by EventScotland. These two short films showcase Oban’s wonderful tourism offering and I hope the concert will enjoy a record year as a result.

‘The visitors this event attracts represent a massive benefit for the local economy. Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is integral to sustaining communities across Scotland by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change.’

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: ‘EventScotland is delighted to be supporting OBANLIVE through our National Programme, for the third consecutive year. Over the last few years the popular festival has gone from strength-to-strength, demonstrating why Scotland is the perfect stage for music events.

‘Our funding support of the two digital films will enable OBANLIVE to further grow; attracting new audiences from outwith the area, and in turn delivering economic benefits for Oban and the region.’