As the sun dipped below the horizon, Queen’s Park transformed into a big topped carnival, epicentre. Glaswegian punters typically looking to forego the hiked up festival prices for beer, seemed to all descend en masse… A queue that appeared to consist of all 2,500 partygoers formed just before festival organisers had posted last entry of 5pm. Despite entry technicalities and initial sound issues the festival was a roaring success.

The Queens Park weekender was curated by two much beloved juggernauts of the Glasgow DJ scene with Melting Pot designing the line up for Saturday and Optimo Espacio hand selecting guests for Sunday – the mini festival has much to offer in the way of a diverse portfolio of artists in attendance.

Kicking off the festivities was the incomparable Rebecca Vasmant, whose jazz-infused rhythms set the perfect tone for the weekend ahead. Known for her seamless blend of live instrumentation and electronic beats she captivated the audience, drawing them into a hypnotic groove that lingered long after her set ended.

Next up was the enigmatic Billy Woods, whose atmospheric soundscapes transported listeners to otherworldly realms. With each carefully crafted beat, Woods wove a tapestry of big disco floor fillers that evoked a sense of wonder and exploration, leaving the crowd spellbound.

Stepping into the limelight was the esteemed DJ Paulette, whose infectious energy ignited a frenzy on the dance floor. From house anthems to disco classics, Paulette masterfully curated a set that kept the crowd moving and grooving.

As the night reached its peak, Norwegian prodigy Todd Terje took center stage, unleashing a torrent of euphoria upon the eager audience. With his signature blend of cosmic disco and infectious melodies, Terje transformed Queen’s Park into a celestial dance party, uniting revelers in a collective state of bliss.

Rounding out the lineup for Day 1 was none other than The Blessed Madonna, whose electrifying performance brought the festival to a climactic close. With her infectious charisma and impeccable track selection, The Blessed Madonna commanded the stage with unparalleled finesse, leaving the crowd begging for more.

Day 2

Sunday provided a much more boutique feel to the festival having been curated by Glasgow’s very own pioneers of the eclectic; Optimo Espacio. This year, the lineup was a testament to the extensive tastes and unwavering passion of our city’s music aficionados.

Kicking off the festivities was the legendary Aba Shanti-I, whose roots reggae rhythms transported us to a higher state of consciousness. With his thunderous basslines and uplifting melodies, Aba Shanti-I set the stage for a day of sonic exploration.

Joy Orbison and Optimo took to the decks for a back-to-back set that defied expectations. Their seamless transitions and genre-defying selections kept the crowd on their toes, moving effortlessly between house, techno, and everything in between.

But it was the electrifying performance by ESG that truly stole the show. I’ve been desperate to see the band since the last played Glasgow some 20years previously.

Hailing from the streets of the Bronx, ESG which translates to the Scroggin’s sisters birthstones of; emerald, sapphire and gold brought their unique blend of punk-funk to Queen’s Park, igniting a riotous frenzy among the crowd. Theatrics abound with headstands, alien masks and some of the most spirited whistle (tooting?) I’ve heard in a long time. It’s near impossible to tear your attention away from the stage.

From the infectious grooves of “UFO” to the frenetic energy of “Moody,” ESG delivered a masterclass in raw, unadulterated funk. When Renee Scroggins stood for the final song, “Erase You”, the crowd lost what was left of their minds and left us breathless and begging for more.

And of course, no Queen’s Park Weekender would be complete without the peerless Optimo Espacio. Closing out the weekend with their trademark blend of eclecticism and energy, Optimo took us on a journey through the annals of musical history, weaving together sounds from across the globe into a tapestry of musical brilliance garunteed to get your feet moving.

In the end, the Queen’s Park Weekender proved once again why it holds a special place in the hearts of Glasgow’s music lovers. With its diverse lineup and infectious energy, this mini festival is a celebration of everything that makes our city’s music scene so vibrant and unique. Until next year, Queen’s Park

Words & Pictures: Angela Canavan