People from not only the Irvine Valley near Darvel, Scotland, but elsewhere in the United Kingdom and the world attend the festival—increasing tourism and benefitting the economy in the area.
After getting involved in the community stuff, I wanted to focus on a central theme, which was essentially making Darvel a music town.
"[2] While they didn’t actually launch the festival, the McKennas have been very involved in the process, and are known to personally pick up artists from the airport, cook for them, and to let bands stay overnight in their home.
[2] Over the past few years people from such locations as Japan, Canada, Italy, Spain, Ireland, France, and Germany have come to the festival as it has gained notoriety.
[3] The 2009 line-up includes Adriana, Attic Lights, Blues n' Trouble, Boo Hewerdine, Dropkick, Eddi Reader, Eileen Rose and the Holy Wreck, Esther O'Connor, Four Good Men (with Owen Paul), Gary Louris, and Mark Olson (of the Jayhawks), Hamilton Loomis Band, Hamish Stuart Band with special guest Jim Mullen, Hey Negrita, JJ Gilmour, Joni Keen and the Euan Stevenson Trio, Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly, Martin Taylor's Freternity featuring Alison Burns, Rainy and the Dust, Roddy Hart, Ruby Turner, The Endrick Brothers, The Garrett Wall Band, The Parish Music Box, The Primary 5, and the Seventh Sons.
Known for its friendly ambience and eclectic artists, the festival presents a wide range of musical styles including soul, Latin, funk, country, indie-pop, rock, and blues.
[3] The Chief Operating Officer of Event Scotland, Paul Bush, supports the festival partially because it successfully attracts visitors to East Ayrshire.
[3] The Festival Production Team includes Shelia McKenna (director), Neil McKenna (producer), Hugh Morton (treasurer), Josh Clinton, Stephanie Grant, Lisa Cunningham, Lynne McCubbin, Alex McAllister, Mike Ritchie (marketing), Gary Beck, David Paterson, Anne Fonteyne, Martin Hay, Alison Calder, Jim Dunn, Sofie Aspeslagh, and Rachel Clinton.