Motherwell Strathclyde Park previously hosted the major Scottish music festival, T in the Park, until 1996, when it was moved to a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire. It has also hosted other music festivals such as Retrofest. Modern authors Des McAnulty and Mark Wilson have written novels of critical acclaim which are based in the town (LIFE IS LOCAL, McAnulty) and neighbouring town Bellshill (BOBBY'S BOY, Wilson). Motherwell is the headquarters for both North Lanarkshire Council, which is one of Scotland's most populous local authority areas, and of Police Scotland "Q" division. These organisations cover an overall population of 327,000 people
AURA Music and Arts Festival AURA Music and Arts Festival AURA Music and Arts Festival is an annual three-day, music-driven festival, featuring jam, funk, rock, jazz, and livetronica performances, as well as musical workshops, activities, and other programs. Produced by AURA Music Group, LLC, AURA Music and Arts Festival has produced six festivals since 2010. The festival now takes place at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. Since its inception in 2010, AURA Music and Arts Festival has stayed true to its mission of showcasing the best regional and national touring bands in the underground jam community and live-electronic scene,