THE STORY
Glass Butter Beach is brought to you by Abersoch based events management and publishing company, Sensation Group and international production company, VME.
The inspiration behind Glass Butter Beach comes from Sensation Group’s CEO Mark Durston, founder of the Wakestock festival and publisher of Syndicate Wakeboard Magazine, the UK’s leading publication for the sport. Mark has a life long passion for water sports, music and good times – a combination that’s at the heart of his new event.
Having launched Wakestock in 2000 Mark rapidly grew the wakeboard music event from a small party in a car park to a hugely successful 15,000 capacity festival, taking it to Abu Dhabi in 2010. After organising Wakestock for 11 years and firmly establishing it on the UK festival and worldwide wakeboard calender where it has received live TV coverage, Radio 1 broadcasts, World Wakeboard Association status and has attracted some hugely successfully artists like Plan B, Dizzee Rascal, Duffy, Tinie Tempah, Mark Ronson and Calvin Harris, Mark decided to take his exit from Wakestock in 2010 in order to take his experience, ideas and passions to launch Glass Butter Beach, a multi-action sport, music and beach culture festival. It’s an opportunity Mark and his Abersoch based team are relishing. “The location in Llanbedrog, near Abersoch is exceptional; flat grassy fields with views over Cardigan Bay across to Snowdonia, and literally 30 seconds down some steps and you’re on an exclusive sandy beach all licensed for the festival. It’s all about good times, healthy lifestyle, chilled beach culture and a cool festival vibe”.
Mark goes on to say “We’ve got so much going on at the event. Whether you’re in to great live music & DJ’s, comedy & films, surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, BMX, beach volleyball or the latest craze of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, then this new welsh festival is perfect for you. You can watch top live bands & DJ’s on one of the 3 stages including an open air main stage overlooking St Tudwal’s islands, be entertained by some stand up comedy whilst enjoying a drink at the various bars including a cool beach bar, or marvel at some of the sports best athletes in the world of surf, wake, skate & BMX as they compete for their respective titles at the festival.”
Professional Free Surfer Karlee-Anne Mackie from Australia has already confirmed for the event and said “I’m stoked to be part of this new surfing event and look forward to checking out this great surf spot in North Wales. As a free surfer I haven’t competed for several years but the festival sparked my interest with its combination of the sports, music and awesome location. Looking forward to a great weekend.”
What sets the event apart from most other well-loved music festivals around the world is that those attending can join in too! Glass Butter Beach is offering instruction and hire for surfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding, BMX, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, wakesurfing & beach volleyball. You’ll receive instruction from top riders and fully qualified instructors to either learn from scratch or improve your standard to competition level.
Mark goes on to say “This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy getting involved in the sports that you would normally only be able to spectate. We’re right on the secluded end of the stunning Llanbedrog beach and with the sea normally being at its warmest in September, it’s the perfect chance for people to enjoy these great sports.” Surfing tuition will take place at Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) and BMX & skateboarding workshops will take place up on the festival site, whilst the rest of the sports are based on the festival beach.”
“We’ve got some great live music & DJ’s performing on the 3 stages over the weekend and I’m seriously excited about watching certain acts on the open air stage, with the backdrop of Cardigan Bay and St. Tudwal’s islands. We’ve partnered with VME, the company who worked with me for 10 years at Wakestock to put in all the production, so there’s going to be awesome sound & visuals at the festival to enjoy. Programming the music has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the planning. There’s so many talented bands & DJ’s from the area who I’ve booked to perform alongside some great names already enjoying big success in the music industry”.
There are limited tickets available for this first year and the organisers will be giving ‘Butter Cards’ (a cool name for loyalty cards) out to those that buy tickets for this first year so you get discounts & the chance to get your tickets first in future years. “It is in the first years that the local audience is inherently strongest and we want to ensure they get the chance to hold on to a festival that’s theirs, even when the numbers attending grows, so they can enjoy it for many years to come. “
Glass Butter Beach takes place on the Crugan Farm fields on the beach side of the road and includes the far end of Llanbedrog beach. Camping opens from 12pm on Thursday 1st September until 5pm on Sunday 4th and the main festival opens 12 noon to 12 midnight both on Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd of September.
