Councillors want to pick up tab for Youth Beatz

The Youth Beatz music festival looks almost certain to return in 2026 after a significant council decision this week.

- MARC MCLEAN

Youth voice MSYP Louise Church wants to see Youth Beatz fully supported.

The annual popular music fest in Dumfries has come under threat once again after being included in a list of budget savings options for next year.

However, numerous councillors showed strong support for the two-day event this week, while a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament underlined the importance of Youth Beatz for young people.

At Tuesday's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, councillors agreed that the festival should remain free to attend - and recommended that the council picks up the £179,000 tab for organising the music event next year.

Abbey Councillor Kim Lowe put forward a motion calling for keeping the festival free, saying: "Any change to that model, we could lose match funding.