DJ Ewan McVicar can't wait for "dream" Ayr festival
The music producer is headlining on Saturday
Ewan McVicar has described putting on a two-day music event in his hometown of Ayr as the “Madison Square Gardens” of his dreams.
The Scot is curating and headlining the Pavilion Festival on the town’s Low Green over the weekend alongside famous names such as Patrick Topping, Derrick Carter and techno innovators Octave One.
The gig returns for a second stint after a hugely successful debut year in 2023, with Ewan the man behind bringing the event on to the Ayrshire coast.
And the DJ and producer admits he is living out a decade-old dream when he was a student learning to be a primary school teacher.
Speaking exclusively to West FM ahead of the weekend, he said: “I said to my manager and my agents who asked me what my dreams and ambitions were.
“I was like, my Madison Square Garden is to put a festival on in Ayr. So last year was literally my dream come true.
“And then we signed a deal with the council after how well it went for five years to put a Pavilion on in this site.
“Now we’re into our second year and I still can’t believe it has happened. It’s just the best thing ever, it’s mad.”
The DJ shot to fame in 2021 with his debut single “Tell Me Something Good” and hasn’t looked back since.
He recently returned from touring in the United States and revealed to West FM he will be giving a first outing to a collaboration track with fellow big-name Patrick Topping during Saturday night’s Pavilion set.
But, despite his worldwide success, Ewan insists he will always be an Ayr boy at heart.
“The tagline for the event is ‘Don’t be a dafty,’ he laughs.
“Because I was conscious of what I was like being a wee bam in Ayrshire when I was younger.
“I know what folk are like down here, so let’s take care of the site.
“Honestly, the punters last year were a credit to themselves. It was unbelievable.
“We got a gold star report from the police, there were no arrests, it shows we can have nice things.
“It means the world to me that I can do this for my hometown and just bring everything back to where I started and give something back to the community as well.”
Thirteen thousand revellers are expected to descend on the grassland by the sea over the two days, with the festival’s new purpose-built main stage unveiled on Saturday.
Sunday will see a celebration of 35 years of STREETrave, the iconic host of parties throughout Glasgow and the West.
Ricky Magowan, founder and director of the group, said: “The site build will soon be underway, we are particularly excited to see our new main stage come to life, it’s an impressive structure which is the perfect backdrop for our main stage acts.
“Last year’s festival was outstanding, but this year’s will be even better.”
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