Summertime always offers an array of festivals to enjoy across Scotland. Yet for the rest of the year, there can be a bit of a lull in live music events to enjoy, especially outside of Scotland’s major cities.
Fortunately, in January 2025, an innovative and exciting new live music event is coming to East Ayrshire. Held in a bespoke circus-style arena in Kilmarnock, ‘Live @ ... The Big Top’ will welcome an eclectic range of performers and artists in a bid to help banish our January blues.
Given the large-scale refurbishment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, the Big Top Arena will be a purpose-built structure, based at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, directly off the A77 at the Belfield interchange, Kilmarnock.
‘Live @ … The Big Top’ will provide the opportunity for East Ayrshire Leisure to host a variety of significant and internationally recognised performers in a rare and impressive 650 capacity venue.
This will continue the momentum of East Ayrshire Leisure’s long-term vision, for the regenerated Cultural Kilmarnock venue (Palace Theatre and Grand Hall) to become a ‘location of choice’ in the touring schedules of iconic and big-hitting global artists.
The aim is for ‘Live @ …’ to be a sustainable model, which will continue to build year-on-year until completion of the transformative Cultural Kilmarnock masterplan.
The impressive line-up includes something to suit all musical tastes, with events running right throughout January. On Friday 3 January and Saturday 4 January, one of the finest traditional Scottish music bands, Mànran, will play with support from the Ross Couper Band and The Laurettes.
Multi award-winning Scottish supergroup Mànran have been at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene for over a decade, and are sure to bring a flourish of Gaelic charm to East Ayrshire.
Viewed globally as one of the most iconic and respected Scottish bands on the road today, the seven-piece are set to put on an unforgettable show.
On Saturday 18 January, Brit Award-nominated band Toploader will take to the stage, supported by Ben Walker and Katie Nicoll. With are two million album sales and several top 20 hits, Toploader are best-known for their cover of King Harvest’s ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ – sure to be a singalong success in the Big Top.
On Friday 24 January, 13-piece big band The Story of Swing will perform, while on Saturday 25 January ‘Live @... Big Top’ will celebrate one of Ayrshire’s most iconic exports, Robert Burns. An ‘Alternative Burns Night’ will be celebrated on the bard’s birthday, with music and spoken word performances.
Artists involved include electronic supergroup LYR – comprising author and current Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Pearson.
Coming together to instrumentalise Armitage’s words and vocal delivery, the band are now a firmly established part of the contemporary music scene, with two critically acclaimed albums under their belt. Support on the bill is from NATI and local Ayrshire poets.
And to round out the ‘Live @... The Big Top’ bonanza, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January will see an immersive performance from tribute band the UK Pink Floyd Experience, with support from Jeremy Levif. This highly authentic show recreates the atmosphere of the Floyd live, featuring top-flight musicians and a stunning light show.
Tickets will be on sale this month, so keep an eye on eastayrshireleisure.com to find out more. Don’t miss out!
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