A DJ from Annan is set to open up the gates of Carlisle Castle to music lovers today and tomorrow for a unique festival which he helped to organise.
Ki Creighton, 48, along with Matt Tyson and a back-line team, each specialising in different aspects of festival life, have secured a mix of internationally renowned DJs, upcoming artists and bands to perform on Friday and Saturday at the inaugural Borderlands Music and Arts Festival.
The event is set to wow crowds with a feast of music and a host of food and drink outlets inside the castle’s courtyard.
Built in 1092, the medieval fortress was once centre stage during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Now festival goers from both sides of the border will come together at the site to enjoy two action packed days of entertainment.
The Annandale Observer spoke to Ki earlier this week ahead of the festival to find out more about the idea and how it came to fruition.
- How did the idea come about?
“It’s been something we have had ideas about since we held courtyard parties in Carlisle city centre in 2012 and 2013.
“We wanted to reignite the outdoor events but on a much bigger scale, and they don’t come much bigger than Carlisle Castle courtyard.”
- Carlisle Castle is a pretty cool and unique venue to be hosting a music festival. How did the location end up being chosen?
“It’s been on our radar for four years. It is an English Heritage site, so we have worked over the years to get the permissions and the balance right, it’s ground space size made it the perfect chosen location for Borderlands.”
- How long have you been DJing, promoting and producing music for?
“I’ve been DJ’ing since I was 14, promoting events since 1998 and producing music for over ten years now. “These past few weeks I’ve been on the road quite a bit, I’ve just played at the Jersey Weekender Festival and before that was in Manchester for Kaluki Boat Party and up in Falkirk for my monthly residency with my record label Under No Illusion.
“I attend as many events as I can.”
- How did you come up with the format for the event?
“We specialise in electronic music events but wanted to give ourselves a day where we could do electronic artists and a day of bands and live music to try and build a festival environment, something for everyone if you like.”
- Are there a lot of people going from north of the border?
“Yes, our events are massively supported from areas like Annan, Dumfries and Lockerbie. We have a good contingent coming from Glasgow and Falkirk.”
- If successful, do you hope to hold something similar in the future?
“That’s the overriding plan when you are a start up festival. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Thanks are expressed to those who have supported the UBER brand over the years, English Heritage, Carlisle Council and all those working behind the scenes to make the event possible. Tickets for Borderlands are available at www.skiddle.com and a small amount will be available on the door.
