Preview @ Kelburn Jazz Weekend Festival

Last year, Kelburn Garden Party returned to the West Coast of Scotland for its 15th celebration, and it's safe to say that since then, the Kelburn crew have been busy, busy, busy… The Mic's Abi Kara-Fernandes reports.

From collaborating with Gilded Balloon and Paradise Palms Bars and Events to bring the new multi-genre venue, The Gilded Saloon, to Edinburgh, to the Halloween Haunted Forest at Kelburn Estate, Kelburn Arts are showing no sign of slowing down.

This summer, they are bringing not just one but two opportunities to eager festival-goers and campers, with the classic Kelburn Garden Party in July and the new addition of the Kelburn Jazz Weekend over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Having broken my seven-year hiatus from camping festivals with last year’s KGP, I am itching to get back to the never-ending glen and have what I’m hoping is a less rain-induced but just as fun festival frolic.

"This weekend will not just be full of amazing artists but also immersive art, iconic Scottish food trucks offering all culinary wonders, places to explore, friendly campers, and true festival magic."

As a one-off event, three stages will take over for two nights, with an immense line-up of classic jazz, nu-soul, hip-hop, funk, and more. Saturday sees headliner Corto Alto take the stage, and, having missed them perform at 2024’s Cross the Tracks, I cannot wait to be bopping along to their recent new singles. Headlining on Sunday is genre-defying broadcast DJ Gilles Peterson, who is also guaranteed to get the crowd grooving, as well as Glitch 41, Azamiah, and Gaia performing over the weekend.

If this eclectic line-up wasn’t enough, I am possibly most excited about Liminal Events' first-ever Kelburn feature, Liminal Space, at the waterfall pool! We will see sets from Rebecca Vasmant and Coben. Having kept up with the collective since their summer raves at Arthur’s Seat last year, I will be making sure I don’t miss out on this.

I am really looking forward to being back in the safe space of Kelburn Estate. If KGP is anything to go by, this weekend will not just be full of amazing artists but also immersive art, iconic Scottish food trucks offering all culinary wonders, places to explore, friendly campers, and true festival magic.

Abi Kara-Fernandes

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Edited by Daniela Roux

Photos courtesy of Kelburn Garden Party