Horsecross is calling on festival faithfuls to vote for Perth's Southern Fried Festival in the annual ‘Oscars' of the contemporary music festival industry.
The annual festival of American roots music, which takes place in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and other venues in August, attracting visitors from throughout Scotland, the UK and further afield, is up for two gongs in the UK Festival Awards 2009:
Best Metropolitan Festival recognises events that suit festival faithfuls of the non-camping variety. These festivals use the existing live music structure of a town to put on a multi-venue event with the line-up selected by organisers passionate about bringing their favourite bands to a town.
The Grass Roots Festival Award searches out small festivals that spring from an organic labour of love and a long-time dream which has been shared by thousands more. These are festivals that never forget where they've come from, supporting their local communities and new music along the way whilst retaining an independent spirit and resisting commercial saturation.
Lucinda Williams, who headlined at the Southern Fried Festival, declaring her love for Scotland at the end of her sell-out gig, is nominated in the Best Headline Performance category.
Festival director, Andy Shearer of Horsecross said:
"This year's Southern Fried Festival was fantastic in terms of audience, performances, and atmosphere. We are starting to make a real impact on what is a very crowded festival scene. I put that down to the enthusiasm of our festival-goers; in particular, the willingness of people who may not have a specialist interest in American roots music to turn up, see what is going on here and throw themselves into the action. The Horsecross staff, too, get right into the swing of things, and visitors and performers alike praise the warm reception they get here in Perth.
"We would love to progress in the UK Festival Awards, but however we get on, one thing's for sure, Southern Fried will be back next year, bigger and better than ever!".
Votes can be placed at http://www.festivalawards.com/
The current round of voting closes on 14 October. If successful at this stage, Southern Fried will reach a final shortlist which will then go to a second round of public voting to decide the winners who will be revealed on Thursday 19 November.