Your chance to be backstage star at super Retrofest

Jul 24 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

One of Scotland’s hottest music festivals is looking for candidates from Lanarkshire to make sure the event goes off with a bang.

The organisers of Retrofest, the UK’s largest retro music festival, are looking for stewards and backstage hands for this year’s event at Strathclyde Park.

Taking place over August 29, 30 and 31, the festival will play host to some of the biggest names in 80s and 90s music including Boy George, The Bangles and Peter Andre.

The organisers need enthusiastic people to take on important roles to help make the event run smoothly, with 40 places available in total and onsite training provided by Access to Music, a specialist training provider for musical education based in Leicester.

Successful candidates will be aged over 18, in full time education and preferably have a passion for music and will be required to fill out an application form with a personal statement, stating why they want to work at Retrofest

Jono Heale, head of events for Access to Music, said: “These work experience placements are a great way for young people who are interested in getting a foot in the door of the music industry. So far we’ve received applications from students in England but we’ve had no interest from the people on whose doorstep it is taking place.

“Young people are willing to travel up from Brighton but we also want to give local people with a passion for music the chance to gain real experience of what it’s like to work at a large professional festival and reap the long-term benefits that come with this type of experience.”

Malcolm Cannon and Bradley Snelling of Retrofest said: “It’s not an easy task bringing together an event of this size, so we need a strong support network of people who are enthusiastic and eager to learn and who will play an integral part in staging this year’s show. “

Those interested in taking up one of the available opportunities at Retrofest 2008 should contact jono.heale@accesstomusic.co.uk for further information or to request an application form.

Please note that successful applicants should be available from August 29 -31.

All travel expenses will be paid.