Doune the Rabbit Hole announces first line-up after liquidation

Headliners including Spiritualized, Alabama 3, and Thurston Moore Group have been announced as part of the first line-up for Doune the Rabbit Hole following the festival’s liquidation last year.

It marks a return for the music festival after it entered liquidation in December, two months after being accused of failing to pay artists and production staff who operated at the site in both 2021 and 2022.

The event, Scotland’s largest outdoor camping music festival, is set to return to the Cardross Estate in Stirling from July 21 until July 23.

Spiritualized, Heather Small, Black Grape, Asian Dub Foundation, Alabama 3, Steve Mason, The Langan Band, and Gina Birch are amongst the artists announced for the festival.

Last December, a spokesperson said that “supply chain issues” had affected income levels, which did not allow the business to cover the budgeted costs outlined for the 2022 event – leading to the liquidation of Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival Ltd.

Belle and Sebastian, who headlined in 2022, were among the acts who claimed to be owed payment.

The Scottish Live Events Network said that “outstanding invoices” were owed to over a dozen production staff who worked at the Cardross Estate festival.

The event has since relaunched under the previous management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd – which operated the 2018 and 2019 editions of the site.

Craig Murray, the former diplomat behind the company, revealed last Friday he has “battled” to keep the festival going, and revealed a three-year payment plan had been agreed with those still owed money.

The Musicians Union (MU) also revealed that any workers at this year’s event will be offered 100% deposits upfront, but “urged” any potential performers at the festival to speak to the union before accepting work.

Announcing the line up, the festival’s social media channel added: “The first Doune the Rabbit Hole 2023 lineup announcement is here!

“Spring is in the air, festival season is around the corner and we’re delighted to share the 2023 line up for Doune the Rabbit Hole.

“Celebrate the artists you love, discover new ones you don’t yet know you love, and get ready to sing and dance together again on the marvellous fields of Cardross this July.

“We’re delighted to announce that Spiritualized, Thurston Moore Group, and another unique TBA act will headline the festival this year.

“You can also catch Black Grape, Asian Dub Foundation, Alabama 3, Steve Mason, James Grant & The Hallelujah Strings, The Langan Band, Gina Birch (The Raincoats), Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Lung Leg, and special guests Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton Trio, among many, MANY, others.”