Glasgow is gearing up for a spectacular music festival to celebrate the opening of the new Govan-Partick Bridge. The Govan Footbridge Festival is set to take place on Saturday, September 7, following the official opening of the bridge on September 6. This one-of-a-kind event will bring together a mix of local grassroots performers and top Scottish acts for a day filled with music and celebration.
The Big Day
The Govan Footbridge Festival is a multi-genre, unticketed event that will run from 10am to 8pm at Govan Cross and the Footbridge Plaza, located next to the entrance of the bridge. The festival is organized by the team behind the Govan Music Festival and Govan’s regeneration orchestra, The Glasgow Barons, who aim to showcase the vibrant music scene in the area.
Top Acts and Performers
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of well-known names and local talent. Bands like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Horse McDonald, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five, Shooglenifty, and Ben Walker are set to take the stage across two outdoor stages. In addition to these headline acts, the festival will also feature performances by local school choirs, The Gilded Lilies singing group, Govan Allsorts Community Choir, and Musicians in Exile.
Rappers from Up2Standard and CCTV, Sunny G FM community DJs, musicians from Brass, Aye, FIVO, and Govan Community Pipe Band will entertain the crowd on the plaza stage. A community cèilidh will also be held on Govan Road, adding a traditional touch to the festivities.
Celebrating Heritage
In a nod to Govan’s rich history and heritage, the festival will showcase local assets such as the Govan Stones, The Pearce Institute, Fairfield Heritage Museum, and Elder Park. Festival organizer Paul MacAlindin emphasized the importance of the new bridge in bringing communities together and allowing people to explore each other’s neighborhoods once more. He expressed his excitement for the event, which aims to highlight everything Govan has to offer and make the area more accessible to visitors from other parts of the city.
Community Support
Depute council leader and Govan councillor Ricky Bell praised the festival for its role in marking the opening of the Govan-Partick Bridge. He highlighted the fantastic program of music and events planned for the day, which will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike. The festival is supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow University, Govan, Elderpark, Linthouse, Trust, and Wheatley Housing Associations, showcasing the collaborative effort behind this grand celebration.
With the closure of Govan Road for the entire day, the Govan Footbridge Festival promises to be a day filled with music, culture, and community spirit. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the best of Glasgow’s music scene and celebrate the opening of a new chapter in the city’s history.