Connect Music Festival is back! Here is everything you need to know if you are heading to the Royal Highland Centre this weekend.
The festival that celebrates the very best of Scotland's homegrown talent and welcomes the "most influential and pioneering names from around the world" has returned.
The music lover event promises festival-goers a weekend of Grand Parade heavyweights and brilliant breakthrough acts.
Here's everything you need to know from entry times to how to get there.
Joining us at Connect next week? Here is everything you need to know with only one week to go. Your complete guide to Connect, this covers everything from how to get to the festival, how to find out about the secret sets and so much more. Guide - https://t.co/ZB7QhLyveF pic.twitter.com/06NspZDxkw
— Connect (@ConnectFestSCO) August 19, 2022
When and where is Connect Music Festival 2022?
Connect is being held at the Royal Highland Centre showgrounds from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28 2022.
The festival gates open at midday across the weekend and close at 10.30pm.
You will find the box office located next to the Main Entrance.
It is open from 9 am on Friday, 11 am Saturday, and Sunday, until 9:30 pm each day.
What is the Connect Music Festival Age limit?
The festival is open to anyone aged 5 and over and those aged 5-15 need to be accompanied by an adult over 21.
Don’t miss a single second of live music, plan out your weekend and get the most up-to-date stage info and even some surprises too, download it here.
Connect also operates a Challenge 25 policy on its bars, so you should come prepared with your ID.
Connect Music Festival 2022 line up
Your final additions to the lineup are here, joining the bill this weekend we have @kathrynjoseph_ on Saturday and @porij_ on Sunday. Last Boy and @goodnightlouisa will also be performing exclusive sets at the @tinychanges Gardeners Cottage.https://t.co/S3BXV4AzlK pic.twitter.com/rKerVjXsJp
— Connect (@ConnectFestSCO) August 22, 2022
Connect has a star-studded eclectic lineup with a mix of music legends and upcoming breakthrough acts bound to suit all tastes.
The festival will be treated to a performance from post-hardcore legends IDLES as well as sets from the "masters of anthemic indie rock" The National and the electronic duo The Chemical Brothers.
On the Guitar & Other Machines stage, you can catch one shows from the up-and-coming acts like Swim School, Lizzie Reid, Willie J Healey, and CMAT before they become household names.
The Unknown Pleasures tent also promises non-stop dancing to local legends like TAAHLIAH, Nightwave, Sam Gellaitry and Rebecca Vasmant.
You can see the full lineup via the Connect Music Festival website.
Connect Festival Secret Sets - How do I find out who is playing?
The festival fun doesn't stop there with secret sets taking place at Tiny Changes x Gardeners Cottage during the weekend.
Connect recommends that you download the festival app so that you don't miss out on any clues that might reveal who will be playing.
You can find out more and download the app on both Android and IOS devices.
Wondering what to expect this weekend? Then wonder no further. Here is a sneak peek of what you can discover at our beautiful site. We can’t wait to see you. Final tickets - https://t.co/uBbCadoLU5 🎶: Always Like This - @BombayBicycle pic.twitter.com/6wOI7mPzBx
— Connect (@ConnectFestSCO) August 22, 2022
How to get to Connect Music Festival by car, bus, tram, train and more
Drop Off - Pick Up
Connect has a handly drop-off and pick-up area for festival goers travelling to the event by taxi or who have scored a lift from friends or family.
You can access the area via the same entrance as the event car parks which will be clearly signposted on the day.
The festival asks that you stick to the marked routes as these are in place to help minimise traffic as well as make your journey as quick and hassle-free as possible.
You won't need to worry about any charges for using this area either and you won't need a car parking pass to access it.
Shuttle bus
If you are heading from or getting a connection from Edinburgh's city centre, listen up!
Connect is running its own 30-minute Festival Shuttle Bus service which the festival says is the easiest way to reach the site.
An adult return ticket will cost you £7.50 and there are regular departures throughout the day.
Departures from City Centre - 11.30, midday, 12.30 pm, 1 pm then every 20 minutes until 6 pm.
Departures from Royal Highland Centre - regular departures from 8 pm until 11 pm.
Citylink and Happy Bus
If you are planning on getting to Connect by bus, there are a number of services operated by Citylink and Happy Bus available.
From as little as £10 for a return ticket, they offer both daily and weekend travel from various locations across Scotland straight to the festival.
These locations include the following: Aberdeen, Arbroath, Aviemore, Ayr, Coatbridge, Dundee, Dunfermline, Dunkeld, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Elgin, Falkirk, Glasgow, Glenrothes, Gourock, Greenock, Hamilton, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Livingstone, Pitlochry, Port Glasgow and Stirling.
You will also be able to use the Airlink 100, Skylink 200 & 300, plus services 20 & 63 heading to Ingliston which will drop you off nearby to the Royal Highland Centre.
For more information or to book your seats, visit the City Link or Happy Bus website.
The speakeasy tent at Connect will host a number of informative talks surrounding sustainability. These discussions are bound to enrich your knowledge by providing interesting information on a very important topic. Find out more - https://t.co/u2fgyhNCd2 pic.twitter.com/yuIFChgSb8
— Connect (@ConnectFestSCO) August 17, 2022
Tram
You can also reach the festival by Tram by hopping off at the Ingliston Park & Ride.
This is where you can get a free shuttle service straight to the Connect entrance.
The five-minute journey runs continuously from midday to midnight throughout the festival.
Tram services have also been extended, meaning that there will be trams returning to the city centre until 11.59pm each night.
Train
If you are arriving by train, both Haymarket and Waverley stations have easy access to the festival.
Connect highly recommends taking the Lothian 98 Festival Shuttle after you arrive at either of these stations which takes you straight to the entrance.
For more information on train services, visit the Scotrail website.
Bike
Those heading to the festival by bike will be happy to hear that there is a dedicated area to lock yours up just outside the Box Office.
The festival asks that you please remember to bring a lock since all bikes and other items are left at the owners’ own risk.
Parking at Connect Music Festival 2022
If public transport is not an option, Connect encourages you to car share and think sustainably where you can.
When you arrive by car, you should follow the festival traffic signage as well as the directions of our Traffic Team on approach.
The entrance to the festival car park is on the A8 (Glasgow Road) Eastbound.
The Car Park Entrance What3Words location is: ///rips.bristle.rejoiced
Car Parking tickets will cost you £10 per day and should be bought in advance via the Connect Music Festival website.
You will need to show your parking ticket when you arrive, before being directed to a space by one of Connect's stewards.
There will be additional signs within the festival site to direct you if you have a camping package or require Blue Badge parking.
When it’s time for a time out, head to the Rest & Be Thankful. Find out more - https://t.co/iqR2JxyjtC pic.twitter.com/hzJXgx4gHj
— Connect (@ConnectFestSCO) August 17, 2022
Banned Items at Connect Music Festival 2022
You should only bring essential items to the festival site with event organisers advise that you leave your valuables at home.
There is also a list of prohibited items that you should be aware of before heading to the festival, these include:
- Chairs
- Professional cameras
- Drugs
- Flares
- Any weapons
- Inflatables
- Umbrellas
- Selfie sticks
- Gas or smoke devices
- Drones
- Megaphones
- Disposable barbeques
- Kites/ Boomerangs/ Frisbees
- Campsite stoves
- Gazebos
See the full list of prohibted items via the Connect Music Festival website.
