Latest news with #Pavilionfestival
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots DJ & radio host dies after brave cancer battle as tributes paid to ‘absolute warrior'
He had shared his cancer journey openly to raise awareness and inspire others 'SLEEP TIGHT' Scots DJ & radio host dies after brave cancer battle as tributes paid to 'absolute warrior' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRIBUTES have flooded in for an "absolute legend" Scots music producer who died following a cancer battle. Derek Baird, a Glasgow music producer, tragically passed away in his sleep on Wednesday after battling facial cancer for several years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Derek Baird passed away after sharing his public battle with cancer Credit: Facebook / STREETrave 6 He DJ'ed huge events with the support of promoters STREETRave Credit: Facebook / STREETrave 6 He had been receiving care in the Marie Curie Hospice - and was still raising awareness in his final days Credit: Facebook / STREETrave The beloved DJ, who was receiving care at the Marie Curie Hospice, bravely shared his journey online while managing his clothing brand, Chasing the Phase, right up until his final weeks. Derek's talent and passion for music saw him perform at major events such as Ayr's Pavilion Festival, STREETrave's Summer All-Dayer at Glasgow's SWG3, and even sessions in Ibiza. In a heartfelt post, music promoters STREETrave announced the devastating news of Derek's passing, describing their "good friend" as a "brave, brave man" and "an inspiration to us all." It read: "As many of you know - our good friend Derek Baird passed away yesterday. "What this guy went through was unimaginable but yet he didn't hide away and he fought it head on!! "He played Pavilion Festival, the Sr Summer all dayer and played Ibiza for us last year - what a brave, brave man - an inspiration to us all - our thoughts and prayers go out to his loving wife Linda & daughter Lauren and the rest of his friends and family. "RIP our good friend & sleep tight - Chasing the Phase!!" And his family announced Derek's passing on his Facebook page, describing the dad as an "amazing spirit." They said: "Sadly, our wee Del passed peacefully in his sleep today. "Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting Derek will know how special he is, although he is no longer with us his amazing spirit with live with us all forever. Huge dance star shares his incredible journey with fans amid world tour "The family would like to thank everyone who has supported Derek throughout his inspiring journey. "We are heartbroken but so proud of the courage, strength and positivity Derek displayed during such challenging times. Rest in peace our darling Derek." Friends and family flocked to social media to remember the DJ described as an "absolute warrior." One pal wrote: "You will never be forgotten my friend what a gentleman you were, thoughts with your family Derek pal." 6 STREETRave displayed a banner for Derek at this year's Pavilion festival Credit: Facebook / STREETrave 6 His love of music saw Derek perform sessions in Ibiza Credit: Facebook / STREETrave 6 Promoters said Derek "didn't hide away" as he fought cancer head on Credit: Facebook / STREETrave Another said: "Very inspirational man! Makes you appreciate what you have. RIP and condolences." A third commented: "So sad. "What a loss to the dance community. He will be spinning upstairs with the big man." A fourth added: "Absolute warrior. Sending much love to his family and friends." And fellow DJ Danny Rampling said: "So sorry for your loss."
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ewan McVicar: Working classes are being 'priced out' of culture
When Ewan McVicar was a a teenager, he would spend what money he had going to clubs while dreaming of becoming a superstar having realised his ambition, he fears the next generation of working class kids are being priced out of Scottish 31-year-old, who brings his Pavilion festival back to his native Ayr over the first weekend in May, is concerned the rising cost of going to gigs or clubs will stop people being energised by told BBC Scotland News he often felt alienated at industry events because they are dominated by people from affluent backgrounds. McVivar was working in a cold storage warehouse when his cover of Rufus track Tell Me Something Good cracked the Top 20 in the UK went on to be downloaded more than 83m previously spent years training to be a teacher, before deciding to to pursue his passion for DJ traces this back to watching rave documentaries as a teenager and going to nights at Glasgow's legendary Sub Club able to spend a few pounds and take in music is something that is increasingly rare, with major concerts often costing three figures, aided by controversial dynamic pricing systems - where the cost can increase if demand is high. "Going to clubs and gigs changed my life," he says."I ended up working at the Sub Club so I could see my favourites for free, and before that I'd spend a fiver going to see any DJ - that inspired me. "If I couldn't afford to do that, then none of this would ever have happened. "If you look deeper, that's where my story started – going to see a DJ or a band can change your life." McVicar's father died before he was born and, growing up in Ayr, he had to work hard for believes the current state of play will squeeze out people from ever getting into the music industry."Working class people getting priced out of things is getting worse and worse," he says."I know what it is like to be skint. About five years ago I was living off my overdraft. "If you look at football, working class people are being priced out of going to games and that's true in music too. "Look at the Brit Awards, nearly all the winners were privately educated apart from Sam Fender. "I feel quite alienated at these events where you'll ask someone how they got into there to perform and they'll say it's because their dad did this and that."I worked my buns off to get where I am." That attitude is why the Pavilion festival - named after a famed Ayrshire club night in the 90s - is so important to launched the event two years ago, having long wanted to make use of the Low Green area near the beach in the town. More than 7,000 people attended each day of the this year he has expanded it to three days, with the first day on 2 May presenting bands including James and will play the middle day of the festival alongside an array of other DJ's, including Annie Mac and Ben he is excited about the final day when Madchester pioneers the Happy Mondays top the bill. "Pavilion in the 90s was predominantly a rock club, where STREETrave [veteran Ayrshire promoters] happened to do dance events. "So I always kinda wanted to get bands into the festival."It's mental. If you said before the festival started that the Happy Mondays would be playing on the Low Green, then you'd be like 'aye, sure'." McVicar says there was plenty of scepticism surrounding his plans to hold events in Ayr, but also local support as now has the backing of South Ayrshire Council, who previously stated the weekend bash gave a "massive" financial boost to the there is one supporter of the event far more important than anyone else - his baby son Mac, who arrived in December."I've been back on tour the past couple of months and it gives me more of a purpose than ever," he smiles. "I was scared in a way because my whole life has always revolved around music and now I have even more of a reason to do bigger and better things. It's for him. "When I get home from tour the best thing ever is just seeing him smiling."You've done three flights but you see him and exhaustion just goes away." 'It feels crazy to be doing stuff this big' He admits the past year has seen some big changes, like Mac's arrival and buying his first home with fiancée Aimei Melvin. McVicar's life has changed musically too - he broke up with his management last year, having felt they didn't understand what he wanted from his career. Now, having performed in Japan and Korea, he has booked an American tour and also hopes to release new music."I definitely pinch myself," he says."It feels crazy to be doing stuff this big. There's a Scottish thing of being hard on yourself, and sometimes I don't give myself a pat on the back. "You see other artists and they're so confident, it almost verges on arrogance. "Maybe it would be easier to be like that - but I suppose it makes me who I am."
