Glasgow Music Festival Organizers Reflect on Cancelling 2024 Event
The Riverside Music Festival in Glasgow has been a staple in the city’s music scene, drawing in crowds with its diverse lineup of electronic music acts. However, this year’s event faced a major setback when organizers Dave Clarke and Mark McKechnie were forced to cancel the 2024 festival. The decision was not an easy one for the duo, who described it as the darkest moment of their careers.
Lower-than-expected ticket sales, increased costs, and a crowded event landscape were cited as the main reasons behind the cancellation. Despite their disappointment, Dave and Mark knew they had to make a responsible decision to ensure the financial well-being of their attendees.
“We were embarrassed,” Dave revealed in an interview with the Glasgow Times. “Your pride takes a bit of a dent. We’ve been promoting events for about 30 years, and we’ve never had to cancel anything before. It was the darkest moment of our career.”
The economic challenges faced by the festival industry played a significant role in the cancellation. Dave emphasized, “The economy has been in a terrible state. The last thing we wanted to do was leave the people of Glasgow out of pocket.” Mark echoed this sentiment, stating, “We had to make a decision, and I think it was the responsible one.”
Looking ahead, Dave and Mark have rescheduled the festival for next May, promising it will be the best and biggest yet. The overwhelming support from attendees who rolled over their tickets for the next year’s event has motivated the organizers to come back stronger.
“We’ve rescheduled this year’s festival to May of next year, and a lot of people were nice enough to just roll their tickets over, without even knowing what the lineup will be,” Dave shared. “We felt a lot of support from people after that, and it’s giving us the courage to come back bigger and better next year.”
To keep the spirit of music alive in Glasgow, Dave and Mark have organized a one-day event in collaboration with Electric Frog on August 31 at Riverside. This event will feature renowned DJs and up-and-coming talent, creating a vibrant atmosphere for attendees to enjoy.
The unique stage setup for the one-day event promises to be a visual treat for music lovers. Mark revealed, “We’ve redesigned the stage for this event to change things up a little bit. It moves away from the traditional stage and is more of a DIY structure. It will look fairly unique, and I don’t think there is one of them that exists already.”
In addition to the one-day event, an electronic music event run by Manchester company Teletech will take place on September 1 at Riverside, co-promoted by Dave and Mark. With the changing seasons and darker nights approaching, the organizers are planning to incorporate fun lighting elements to enhance the overall experience.
“We’re going to be using beams and strips of strobes, and we are also going to light up the Riverside Museum because it is an iconic backdrop for a dancefloor,” Dave teased. Mark added, “We’re looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the upcoming events are still available, providing music enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience the vibrant music scene in Glasgow. As Dave and Mark look towards the future, they are determined to make the Riverside Music Festival 2025 a resounding success, showcasing the best talent the electronic music industry has to offer.
In conclusion, the challenges faced by the Riverside Music Festival organizers have not deterred their commitment to providing memorable experiences for attendees. With resilience and determination, Dave and Mark are poised to overcome obstacles and deliver exceptional music events that celebrate the vibrant music culture of Glasgow.