Dennycassim: an Interview with Tommy Hamilton
Festivals make the summer what it is; come rain or shine Scottish revellers deluge barren fields every year with booze, good music and weekend of fantastic memories.
One man that’s creating those memories from scratch is the man behind the rejuvenation of Stirling’s music scene and their local-ish festival – Dennycassim. Trisickle writer Ross Dunn caught up with musical promoter Tommy Hamilton to see how he manages to be at three gigs at once. . .
What made you become a musical promoter?
I was in the army for 13 years and I always had a massive love for music. Stirling, Denny and Falkirk was lacking a good night if music was your first love. So I decided to do something about it and start my own night. I have since left the army and love every minute of what I’m doing now.
You’re based in and around Stirling; how have you seen the music scene progress?
Right now Stirling has never had it so good, we have bands who are just fantastic. Every year Stirling produces some fantastic bands and its keeps getting better and better. Hopefully it won’t be long before Stirling is regarded as one of the best cities in Scotland for producing new music.
In the future, will Stirling be anything to rival Glasgow or Edinburgh in terms of a gig location?
I hope so, that would be my dream, we won’t ever be Glasgow or Edinburgh as the small size of Stirling limits its reach but Stirling is slowly becoming a regular destination on the music map for bands.
You’re the Executive Director at Bulge – what does that entail on a day-to-day basis?
I would love to say it was something really good, but I have a small team of guys who work with me and without them I dread to think.
What similarities are there to Dennycassim and Benicassim – other than the similar names?
The sunshine! I think Benicassim is very like Denny in a way, because Benicassim is a small town and no one would ever expect a music festival there, much like Denny.
I’m right in thinking this is the first festival you’ve organised? What’s been surprising and unsurprising about the process so far?
I have worked at a lot of festivals, but this will be the first one of this scale I have ever organised. The legal side of it has been hard work and the costings are crazy but we are determined that this will be a weekend to remember. The team and I are very excited and we have some fantastic bands on offer over the weekend.
What does Dennycassim have to offer that other intimate festivals don’t have?
This is more of an unsigned festival this year, giving the opportunity for folk to come and see unsigned bands. When bigger festivals go down, all they get is big bands and the smaller bands are very much up against it. This time it’s all on their heads and I’m sure some of them are up to the challenge.
