Ewan McVicar has hailed his homecoming Ayr festival his own Madison Square Garden.
Most DJs and artists would have a headline show at the New York venue pencilled in on their bucket list.
But for Ewan, headlining the Low Green is the BIG ONE.
The talented DJ used to spend days gazing onto the vast beachfront lawn imagining a sell-out crowd dancing to top tunes.
At the time, the dream of playing his own DJ sets weren’t yet realised as Ewan plied his trade as PR for top local clubs including Fury’s and Elliots (now Vics and The Vine), and the idea of having a track soar to the top 20 of the UK charts seemed impossible.
Fast forward to 2023, and Ewan is one of the biggest names in the UK dance music scene, with his hit Tell Me Something Good amongst other tracks having seen him rise to stardom.
It’s been quite a journey for the lad who grew up in Kincaidston and launched his career playing in front of local crowds in Harley’s.
Now, in just over two months, his dream of headlining the Low Green is set to come true.
And he’ll do so, well backed, with an army of 7,500 fans set to head for the coast, bringing the biggest music festival the town has ever seen.
Ewan spoke to Ayrshire Live as he took in the site as the final planning took place.
He said: “I used to walk down here as a wee boy and think this would be a minted place for a festival.
“I was a PR for Elliots at the time then I was PR for Fury’s and ended up Djing in Fury’s, then in Club De Mar.
“I would always come down here and think I’d love to put a festival on down here but I never thought it was going to be me playing it.
“I was at university, it was so far from reach.
“Being down here now, it’s starting to hit home its only two months away. I’m so buzzing.”
Ewan took time out of the studio – where he’s working on his album – to meet with council officials who last week rubber stamped an increase in capacity from 5,000 to 7,5000.
Before his huge homecoming date with destiny, Ewan will travel across the world on a tour in Australia and States.
But will his massive Ayr bow top the lot?
“By a mile,” Ewan added, “No matter where I play coming home is just different.
“I’ve always said that when I go to Sub Club and this feels the same. It doesn’t matter where I go, nowhere beats Subby for a club.
“But I’ve always wanted to do something in Ayr.
“When my manager approached me two years ago, she asked what are your dreams and what are your ambitions.
“I always said that my Madison Square Garden was doing the Low Green and now its happening, it’s still a bit surreal.
“I don’t think it will sink in until I’m up on that stage greeting my eyes out.”
Ahead of his site visit, Ewan took another trip down memory lane visiting old haunts.
He added: “I was out seeing the old crew at Harleys the other night.
“They were so appreciative of what I’ve done. I wasn’t sure how folk were going to react but everyone has just been so supportive.”
Ewan’s Pavilion Festival will also bring to Ayr a host of household and upcoming stars to the seaside.
The following day will see a further 5,000 return to see dance icons including Soul II Soul, Inner City and Roger Sanchez conclude the show stopper of a weekend.
It will put Ayr on the dance festival map for the first time since the halcyon days of raves inside the Ayr Pavilion, and Ewan hopes it can be the start of something good.
He added: “I’m someone who appreciates being from Ayr and wants to give back to the town.
“I think we all need it man, I think this is something that Ayr needs and I’m hoping that this is something we can run for years to come.
“I think all the hotels are sold out for that weekend. Bringing all that money back to Ayr, that is what means the most to me.
“It is going to be next level.”
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