Coloursfest: a bit of Background Information

 Coloursfest has now established itself as a fixture in the UK clubbing calendar having begun in the Summer of 2002. Rightly billed as 'Scotland's Biggest Dance Festival' Coloursfest was conceived to fill the gap so conspicuously left vacant after various promoters from south of the border tried and failed to make inroads in the Scottish festival market.

Coloursfest is a unique event, taking all the positives from the outdoor festival format, and staging it in a clean, user freindly, weather proof environment. With it's home at the Braehead International Arena on the banks of the River Clyde in the heart of Scotland's former ship building area of Glasgow, Coloursfest's indoor/outdoor concept has proved to be a winner with the clubbing public, and with it's easy connection by rail, road and even air (it's 5 mins from Glasgow airport) the infrastructure is perfect. By utilising both the purpose built indoor Arena and the picturesque outdoor Waterfront area complete with self-contained marquees, Coloursfest combines these elements perfectly creating an event that is virtually weatherproof, and provide the clubber with a guranteed dry, hospitable, comfortable place to dance whatever the weather. Immediately adjacent to the Braehead Shopping Centre, this location may seem a little strange at first glance but which perversely works very well.

In it's first year Coloursfest was headlined by Australian superstar Dannii Minogue, and also boasted David Morales, Erick Morillo, Danny Rampling, Dirty Vegas, XPress-2, Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul, Sister Bliss, Tiesto, 808 State, Alison Limerick, K-Klass, Graeme Park, Corvin Dalek, Shades of Rhythm, Darren Christian and Jonathan Ulysses amongst it's lineup.

The inaugural Coloursfest atrracted more than 4,000 people, despite a decidedly cautious welcome from the Scottish public to an event that was completely new. Despite this less than warm response Coloursfest 2002 proved an outstanding success, and provided a solid foundation to build on. Coloursfest 2002 comprised of the main indoor arena and was complimented by two marqueed arenas situated on the waterfront area, as well as a VIP arena which utilised the shopping complex indoor cafe/bar and ice-rink. Brands which were associated with the inaugural Coloursfest were Bacardi, Kickers, Burn Enegry Drink, HMV, M8 Magazine, Space- Ibiza, Subliminal Records- New York, Schuh and Clyde 1.

Building on the success of the first event Coloursfest 2003 was an altogether larger, higher profile, and smoother running affair, learning from the lessons of the previous year. With an outstanding lineup, made entirely possibly due to the ripples made by the inaugural event, Coloursfest 2003 was a veritable who's who of world dance music stars. Perhaps the biggest coup was securing both Sasha & John Digweed who had not played together in Scotland for over 5 years. Joining Sasha & Digweed were fellow dance luminaries Carl Cox, Paul Van Dyk, Steve Lawler, Dirty Vegas (Live), Mr C, Dave Angel, Ferry Corsten, Sonique, Sister Bliss, Lee Burridge, Futureshock (Live), Cassius Mix, Mint Royale, Jeremy Healy, Push (Live), Trevor Rockcliffe, Michel De Hey, Will Grant, Mark Lewis, Jonathan Ulysses and Lexicon Avenue amongst many others.

Coloursfest 2003 also added another marqueed arena as well as a new VIP arena which was provided by the event's main sponsor Smirnoff°. Aside of the main arena Coloursfest 2003 was made up of a Space Ibiza Arena widely regarded as the world's No.1 club, a Global Arena which is Carl Cox's club blueprint, and a Sounds of Streetrave arena, Colours first incarnation which celebrates the history of the Scottish club scene and provides a vehicle for the local Scottish talent which makes up part of the lineup. The second Coloursfest attracted a creditable 8,000 clubbers, almost double the previous year which is undoubtedly a testament to the ever growing profile of the event.

Coloursfest 2003 attracted associations from Smirnoff, Space Ibiza, Global, Kickers, HMV, Original Shoe Co., M8 Magazine, Kizz Me Energy Drink and Beat 106.

Now established as a viable event within the UK's dance music community, Coloursfest will continue into the future with greatly predicted success. Already in the planning, Coloursfest 2005 will again be a great stride forward and provide the Scottish clubbing community with a unique event.