Young Creatives Win Big at Monsterfest Education Day
8 November 2024
Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) and Monsterfest celebrated the talents and ambitions of young people in the creative industry at the Monsterfest Education Day this week (Thursday 7 November).
Held at the heart of the iconic rock festival, the event offered an exclusive, immersive experience for 74 students keen to explore careers in music and events.
Following last year’s success, the day kicked off with a spotlight on the impact of the Education Day on emerging talent with a welcome from Ewan Campbell. A promising musician, Ewan was inspired by the Education Day and decided to enrol in music college, driven by what he learned during the event. Ewan is also part of the band, Reliever, which opened the 2023 Monsterfest.
Ewan set the stage for an exciting day that split participants into groups to explore three key areas: backstage tour of Monsterfest at Eden Court, media and promotion, and insights into production, touring, and performance. The sessions offered a hands-on look into how large-scale festivals like Monsterfest come to life, with experts sharing their industry knowledge.
Sandra McCaughey, DYW Employer Engagement Manager, spoke on the significance of the day: “Monsterfest Education Day is an incredible opportunity for young people to gain real-world insight into creative careers. It’s inspiring to see them engaging with professionals, from production crews to artists, and considering where their skills might fit into this diverse industry. It was also fantastic to hear from Ewan. His story exemplifies the festival’s role in nurturing the ambitions of young creatives across the region.”
After a lively lunch, excitement peaked with the presentation of the Monsterfest Competition winners, a team from Grantown Grammar School. Their ‘Screamfest’ concept, a Halloween-themed rock festival, took the top prize for its impressive detail and imaginative design. Team members Abbie Borthwick, Arina Kokareva, Josephine O’Kane, and Morgan Cameron crafted an extensive festival proposal, covering everything from their festival line-up, production and budget to marketing strategies and merchandise.
“The Grantown Grammar team have done an amazing job with Screamfest. Their level of detail and creativity in designing a festival that resonates with fans of rock and goth music is outstanding,” said Sandra McCaughey. “We’re thrilled to award them a backstage experience at Monsterfest, where they’ll join the crew, meet artists, and get a behind-the-scenes look at this iconic festival. We hope it sparks a long-lasting passion for the creative industry.”
In the afternoon, students were treated to a special appearance from Marco Mendoza, renowned American bassist who has performed with legendary bands such as Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, and Journey. Marco shared stories from his dynamic career, offering insights and advice to students interested in pursuing similar paths.
Mark Allison, Monsterfest Co-organiser, highlighted the day’s success: “It’s fantastic to see Monsterfest providing a platform for young people to dive into the music industry and the creative roles it offers. Seeing and listening to someone like Marco, a world-famous guitarist with so much knowledge is priceless for a young person that has aspirations within the creative industry. We’re so grateful for this time and wisdom today.
“The students were so inquisitive during tours and workshops, and seeing the winner of the Monsterfest Fantasy Festival Competition present their ideas was amazing - we’re proud to be a part of their journey.”
Monsterfest 2024, themed “Year of the Dragon,” is set to be a powerhouse of rock talent with headliners including the Kris Barras Band and Ricky Warwick and The Fighting Hearts. With rising stars like Muddibrooke and American rock legend Marco Mendoza also on the lineup, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable festival.
The winning team will enjoy a unique experience working behind the scenes at the festival, gaining invaluable insights and first-hand experience that could shape their future careers in the creative sector.
