Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Angus from Shooglenifty, part of an exhibtion of musicians by Jo Powell at The Scottish Storytelling Centre from 24 April as part of TradFest : see page 13 www.facebook.com/jo.paintings // www.joannapowellpaintings.co.uk
INSIDE: Summer Isles Festival : Showcasing Scotland @ Great Escape : Perthshire Amber : Southside Fringe : Glasgow Americana : TradFest : Doune The Rabbit Hole : CalMac Culture ..... plus 7 pages of '2015 Scottish Music Festival Listings'! www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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www.tracscotland.org/festivals fb @ www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh tweet @ https://twitter.com/TradFestEd
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Award-Winning Summer Isles Festival Announces Top Line-Up For 2015 Achiltibuie : 28-29 August : http://summerislesfestival.com/ TICKETS! @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-isles-festival-2015-tickets-16479922893 Having grown to a two-day event and won a prestigious industry award in 2014, the Summer Isles Festival returns this year and is once again programmed by its pioneer, local musician Mairearad Green.
homeland on the Isle Of Mull. His latest album Winter Stay Autumn is due for release this summer and he has been touring with both Idlewild and King Creosote, as well as working on music for a number of television projects.
The line-up is completed by the award-winning NEO-TRAD quintet forged in the Highlands, THE ELEPHANT SESSIONS, with their progressive blend of intricate tunes, engulfing The ambitious line-up for 2015 includes Anglo/ guitars, monstrous bass and pounding drums; Irish band FLOOK – having announced an DJ DOLPHIN BOY brings his remixes and extended hiatus in 2008, they burst back onto mash-ups that marry funky breakbeats with all the scene at Celtic Connections 2013 and have kinds of traditional, and not-so-traditional been touring ever since. Featuring Brian samples; and the annual ceilidh dance set led by Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Ed Boyd and John Joe Kelly, Flook’s music is typified by extremely fast, the festival’s very own MAIREARAD GREEN. sometimes percussive, flute and whistle atop Building on the model of last year’s festival, the complex guitar and bodhran rhythms. fringe events during the day will again include music workshops in the local piping school, Acclaimed Gaelic songstress KATHLEEN MACINNES has been praised for her supple and sessions in the hall led by local musician Joseph Peach, art workshops throughout the day, and expressive vocals, as well as her warmth and cookery demonstrations using local produce. charm on stage. The South Uist native was Local pipe band, the ACHILTIBUIE seen most recently as part of Transatlantic HIGHLANDERS will kick off the second day at Sessions at Celtic Connections. noon with an outdoor performance. SORREN MACLEAN’s delicate indie folk sound Festival Director and musician Mairearad perfectly captures the desolate beauty of his Green said “We were honoured to be awarded
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www.scottishmusiccentre.com
Sorren MacLean : www.sorrenmaclean.com our prize at the Scots Trad Music Awards and this shows the strength of the community involvement which supports the event. I am delighted to have secured such a great line-up for the 2015 festival and am looking forward to welcoming both locals and visitors to our event.”
http://summerislesfestival.com/ https://twitter.com/SummerIslesFest www.facebook.com/summerislesfestival
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web @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com fb @ www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre plus other links @ www.musicplus.org.uk + www.hittheroad.org.uk
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Showcasing Scotland line-up at The Great Escape 2015 Brighton : 14-15 May : www.greatescapefestival.com TICKETS! @ http://greatescape.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
Eight Scottish bands are getting ready to perform to fans and music industry professionals at The Great Escape Europe’s leading festival for new music, with support from Creative Scotland.
networking event on Friday 15 May focusing on developing the profile of Scottish music with attending industry delegates. Celebrating its 10th anniversary the festival will present a cutting edge line- up of over 400 of the most exciting and promising artists from across the globe, performing across 35 Brighton venues. Attracting over 20,000 music fans and industry delegates, the festival is recognised as one of the most important events in the musical calendar. Referred to as Europe’s equivalent to South by South West Music Festival in America, the festival offers an opportunity for musicians to gain the attention of fans, media and industry representatives.
Alongside the live music, The Great Escape presents the UK’s leading music business convention, bringing together thousands of music industry practitioners for three days of insight sessions, panels, Covering a wide variety of music conversations and networking. This genres from indie, rock, hip-hop, year’s festival is expected to be psychedelia, folk and acoustic song, attended by over 3,000 music the bands ADMIRAL FALLOW, C. industry delegates on the hunt for DUNCAN, HECTOR BIZERK, the next big thing. MODEL AEROPLANES, NEON Ahead of hosting the WALTZ, THE MERRYLEES, VUKOVI AND WHITE will perform Showcasing Scotland gigs, BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway, across two Showcasing Scotland said: concerts presented by Creative Scotland and hosted by BBC Radio "Scotland's contemporary music Scotland’s Vic Galloway, on scene is now respected and revered Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May across the world, and it's absolutely at The Brighthelm, Brighton. right to see some of our finest new As well as the Showcasing Scotland gigs, Creative Scotland is hosting a
acts showcasing their wares at one of Europe's leading new music festivals, The Great Escape. This
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year we will be represented by music across genres such as indie, rock, hip-hop, psychedelia, folk and acoustic song. “This is an excellent opportunity for eight acts to connect with music industry and new audiences from the UK, Europe and the USA at a world-class event in Brighton. I look forward to introducing them all onstage and continue to champion our best, homegrown talent.” David Weaver, Development Officer at Creative Scotland, who will be joining the delegates and bands in Brighton, said:
Europe. Scotland has a great relationship with The Great Escape, so to once again have such a great range of bands heading down to Brighton is really exciting. “The artists performing cover a wide range of genres, and include a mix of both raw, fresh talent and more established acts. Creative Scotland are proud to be able to support the event and provide a platform for these acts, which is integral in the development of new talent.” The bands will also be performing as part of other showcase events at the festival, and Scottish band Django Django will also be performing at the festival.
“The Great Escape is a really important event for developing www.greatescapefestival.com www.twitter.com/thegreatescape bands – not only is it the main industry event of its kind in the UK, www.facebook.com/mamaco.thegreatescape it’s one of the key showcases in www.creativescotland.com
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Perthshire Amber Festival announces superb line-up TICKETS! @ http://www.perthshireamber.com/index.php/tickets2
The Perthshire Amber festival base of operations in the tiny village of Butterstone in Perthshire now has its broadband buzzing and phone lines overloaded as fans from all over the world compete for sought after ‘package deals’ and tickets for favourite venues this autumn. Scotland’s “wee gem of a festival” is back for 2015 with a sparkling line-up of brilliant music. Headliners include ‘home grown’ talent Dallahan, Emily Smith, Rura, Ross Ainslie, Blazin’ Fiddles, Karine Polwart, Benny Gallagher and The Wrigley Sisters all playing alongside Dougie MacLean, festival founder and the singer songwriter who gave us Scotland’s unofficial anthem Caledonia. The festival begins on 30 October and runs for ten days until the 8 November, bringing song, music and fantastic tunes to stunning autumnal Perthshire. The well-loved festival features 25 venues throughout the region including historic castles, the stunning Dunkeld Cathedral, cosy village halls, the ancient Ironage Crannog on Loch Tay and the prestigious Perth Concert Hall. The Barn at Inchyra is a new venue for 2015, which is a wonderfully atmospheric venue dating from 1877 and formerly home to the cattle from the Inchyra Estate. It fell into ruin only to be beautifully restored over the past couple of years and festival organisers are delighted to add The Barn at Inchyra to the host of quirky and fascinating venues used during the festival.
Dougie MacLean at Perthshire Amber Festival 2014 : photo by Rob McDougal feeling that 2015 will be the best Perthshire Amber yet!” Last year the festival broke records by bringing over 10,000 visitors to Perthshire and an economic impact of well over £1 million which festival organisers are keen to extend that this year. With the help of Dougie MacLean’s international profile, visitors from 26 different countries were drawn to the festival in 2014 along with music fans from all over the UK, which all adds to the exciting festival atmosphere.
The fringe programme ‘Amber Discoveries’ will continue to support and promote new music and up-and-coming talent through the Open Mic afternoons and early evening Cabaret Amber, which are both free admission. The ever-popular Decorated Wheelbarrow Procession will return to the streets of Dunkeld to mark the first Sunday of the festival processing to the historic Stanley Hill where a Clanranald Medieval Village will somehow sit comfortably alongside a visit form the Antonine Guard!… Dougie MacLean, Co-founder and Musical Director of the Festival all amid an afternoon of great music and some crazy games that all the comments: family can enjoy! As usual throughout the 10 days there will be guided walks, talks and demonstrations, which will be announced later in the “It was such a busy year in 2014 with the Closing Ceremony of the year. Along with the return of the ‘always sold out’ SongBus the festival Commonwealth Games, my collaboration with the Royal Scottish National is introducing in 2015 new ‘Morning Minibus Trips’ taking visitors to Orchestra and celebrating 40 years as a touring musician and we’re keen explore special parts of Perthshire, which are off the tourist trail to give to build on that success for 2015. I am delighted with the line-up for this them a real flavour of Perthshire’s undiscovered hidden gems. year’s festival, it offers a great mix of exciting new talent with traditional folk and well-known names. Though I’m looking forward to the summer I www.perthshireamber.com always love that time when the leaves start to turn – it’s my favourite www.twitter.com/perthshireamber time of year and Perthshire always looks stunning in the autumn. Somehow we’ve managed to do it every year and once again I have that www.facebook.com/Perthshire-Amber-The-Dougie-MacLean-Festival/ The festival has always had a strong representation of ‘rest of UK’ and international talent and this year is no different Bella Hardy, Elliott Morris and Jess Morgan hailing from different parts of England The Mae Trio from Australia; Jessie Will from New Zealand, Stanley Samuelson from the Faroe Islands will all travel to Scotland for the festival as well as the welcome return of Buddy MacDonald from Nova Scotia, Canada.
www.musiconthebrain.org * Go-Rock is a small multi-venue festival held in Gourock aiming to showcase some of the great unsigned and independent acts in Scotland *
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Southside Fringe: How To Reverse An Areas Cultural Woes In Less Than A Decade Glasgow : 8-24 May : www.southsidefringe.org.uk
the mns collection ….
TICKETS! @ http://southsidefringe.org.uk/events/P150 (many events free!) deprecating wit to a house party – yes, you read that right – on Friday 22nd May. Our other featured nonSouthside act is the talented Irish singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, who composed the track “Only A Woman's Heart” which opened the biggest selling Irish album of (sort of) the same name, “A Woman's Heart” curated by Mary Black. That means - across the water at least she's in part officially bigger than The Pogues, folks. Other highlights include Pure Riddy, a collection of brazen adults reading their childhood diaries aloud; an edition of Southside Mastermind where you can test your knowledge of the area; plays by Kate Tempest and John Hughes; a jazz workshop; and even a transcendental meditation talk, should you wish to leave your earthly woes behind and achieve spiritual fulfillment on a Monday night after a weekend on the sauce. There are many, many more acts appearing so keep your eyes open for a Fringe programme that will be distributed in participating venues and beyond.
This year the 8 May marks the return of one of Glasgow's newest and brightest arts festivals; the Southside Fringe. Conceived by native co-founders Corinna Currie and Crawford Smith as a way to showcase existing local talent and combining it with some With last year's attendance of over 9000 people due to be surpassed big name guest by this year's event, The Southside appearances, the Fringe can already lay claim to being one of the highlights of festival is fast Glasgow's rich festival calendar. cementing the Started by Southsiders for Southside's reputation Southsiders, the true beauty here as a credible challenger is not just the eclectic shows on offer, it's the fact that The Fringe is to the West End's title a culmination of effort from an as Glasgow's cultural inspired collective; ordinary folk hub. Now in its third with an extraordinary talent who year, this Fringe is due have created a cultural scene instead of simply following another to be the biggest yet one. with 170 events featuring 120 artists in Keep it South, ladies 41 different venues and gentlemen. See from the 8 - 24 May. you on the 8th May! The diverse range of acts www.southsidefringe.org.uk performing reflects the https://twitter.com/KeepItSouth www.facebook.com/southsidefringe kaleidoscopic tastes Southsider's have become accustomed to over the years. With live music, cabaret, poetry, theatre and everything in between amongst the featured acts at this year's festival, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy during this cornucopia of culture. Starting us off at the opening party is the soon to be cult favourite club night Friday Reggae Shack, featuring Lady Lex, Bass Warrior & Hectorrr as well as classic fringe acts Howlin' Radio, Black and White Boy and The Creative Martyrs amongst others. We are also excited to announce an appearance by folk legend Martin Stephenson – a true master of the lost art of storytelling in music. He will be bringing his own brand of fuzzy Americana entwined with self
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Music Icon Cockburn To Open Glasgow Americana Festival Glasgow : 7-11 October : www.glasgowamericana.com
FESTIVAL PASS @ http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/176085
CANADIAN music icon, Bruce Cockburn has been lined up to play the Glasgow Americana Festival for the first time. The folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter who has released 31 albums spanning five decades, selling over seven million copies worldwide, is appearing at St Andrew's In The Square, on Wednesday, October 7, the opening night of this year’s Festival. Fellow musicians and fans alike regard Cockburn, who has won countless awards and honours, as one of the most important songwriters of his generation. He is famed for writing songs in many styles with lyrics that reveal his passion for human rights, political issues and spirituality. His memoir, Rumours of Glory, was published in 2014 and accompanied by a 9CD box set.
important social questions of our time.” Glasgow Americana Festival director, Kevin Morris, said:
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“It is a great feeling that someone of Bruce Cockburn’s stature, an artiste so widely admired, has agreed to open this year’s Festival. “It will be an outstanding night for all his followers, and a great first night as well for the Festival.” Tom Russell plays the same venue on October 9. More acts will be announced in due course.
GIGnotes: Jackson Browne, no less, said of the book: An Evening With Bruce Cockburn, Wednesday 7 “… it is a highly personal account, by one whose October, St Andrew's In The Square, 1 St quest for expression engages the most Andrew's Square Glasgow G1 5PP. Tickets £17
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TradFest .....
12 Days Of Wall To Wall Music in Edinburgh
Edinburgh : 29 April - 10 May : www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh TICKETS! @ Box Office Open Friday 27 March - 0131 556 9579 You know summer is almost here when TradFest hits the streets and many venues around Edinburgh especially as part of the festival celebrates Scotland’s May festivals – Beltane and Mayday – which traditionally mark the beginning of summer, bringing energy and colour to the capital city as the greening of the year breaks out. There is so much happening it's impossible to you all about it here so make sure you visit the website above - there really is something for everyone!
galleries, pub sessions, instrument makers, bookshops, restaurants and cafes that help visitors experience Scotland’s culture and the folk arts.
TradFest showcases a packed programme of folk arts – music, song, storytelling, dance, drama, crafts, film, seasonal customs, and environmental arts – and features a galaxy of local and international talent including Malinky, The Tannahill Weavers, Nuala Kennedy, Southern Tenant Folk Union, The Shee, Dean Owens and the Whisky Hearts, Dick Gaughan, Salt House, Colum Sands, Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore, Bella Hardy, Mary Black, Breabach, Cruinn, Dallahan, Huradal, Kim Edgar, Mairi Dean Owens launches his new album at Campbell, Emily Smith, Robyn Stapleton, the Soundhouse night on 4 May at the Transgressive North, Swedish Trio Väsen, The Traverse : Hydro Choir from Oslo, The Badwills, DJ Dolphin www.deanowens.com Boy, Sangstream, The Fisher Lassies, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, John Muir – University of the Wilderness, TradFest participants, guests, performers and TradFest Edinburgh Dùn Èideann is the third National Collective, Sheila Stewart Tribute and friends to gather for impromptu sessions - All annual showcase of Traditional Arts and Culture much more. welcome! Click here for details of how to book a taking place from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday slot. http://bit.ly/1CRef9T And after all that you can chill out at the 10 May 2015. Venues include Calton Hill, the TradFest Club hosted by DJ Dolphin Boy. This www.tracscotland.org/festivals/tradfest Royal Mile, The Pleasance, the Scottish will run nightly at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar Storytelling Centre, Filmhouse, Queens Hall, www.twitter.com/tradfested Summerhall, George Square Theatre and Dance from 10pm, or after the evening's event has www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh Base. The TradFest Trail highlights craft shops, finished, and is a great opportunity for all
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Doune The Rabbit Hole Announces 2015 Line-Up Cardross Estate, Stirlingshire : 21-23 August : www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk TICKETS @ http://dounetherabbithole.co.uk/tickets/ Doune The Rabbit Hole, one of Scotland’s most intimate music and arts festivals, has revealed its lineup for this year’s festival, taking place at the idyllic Cardross Estate from 21-23 August. An array of both Scottish and international talent including San Francisco indie band Deerhoof and Shooglenifty, an Edinburgh Celtic fusion band, will be performing at the three day event. Other newly announced acts include inventive Glasgow group, The Phantom Band and Fatherson, an indie band from Kilmarnock known for their melodic anthems who created a stir in 2014 as over 8000 revellers watched them at T In The Park. Adding a splash of international flavour to the line-up is Bristol based ‘world music’ group Zun Zun Egui, featuring musicians from Mauritius and Japan and introducing their unique, funky fusion of reggae and hi-life sounds to festival goers.
Doune The Rabbit Hole2014 : photo by Ann Margaret Campbell
Lake of Menteith, and, as well as welcoming the cream of Scotland’s talented music scene and an array of international artists, the festival will host a vibrant mix of workshops for both adult and children, arts, craft producers and quality Jamie Murray, Director of Doune The Rabbit Scottish food and drink suppliers. Hole Community Interest Group said: With an event capacity of only 1000, Doune The “Every year our line-up of musical talent gets Rabbit Hole organisers pride themselves on bigger and more eclectic and 2015 is no being one of the country’s smallest festivals, different. We are incredibly excited to welcome giving the event a uniquely intimate and friendly such a range of acts from around the world as atmosphere. Families are warmly welcomed at well as bands that have formed right here in the festival with tickets for children aged 12 and Scotland. There are so many unique acts under available for free, so all ages can performing that there is a musical genre and experience the range of activities over the style for everyone’s tastes, so there’s lots to course of the weekend. soak up and enjoy at this year’s event. For Jamie added: “There is a real sense of anyone who loves festivals, creativity and community-spirit at our festival and I guarantee unforgettable experiences, Doune The Rabbit you make friends for life at Doune The Rabbit Hole is a must-see!” Hole. It is pretty rare to find a festival that Established in 2010, the family-friendly festival embraces a family-friendly culture. Where else will be lighting up the Cardross Estate near the would you see everyone, from toddlers to
pensioners soaking up a festival atmosphere?” Doune The Rabbit Hole 2015 is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland. Paul Bush OBE, Director Events at VisitScotland, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Doune The Rabbit Hole this year. Festival goers can enjoy an amazingly eclectic line-up, from great international acts to home-grown talent. And with live music alongside storytelling and activities, the programme features something for all ages and tastes. Scotland is the perfect stage for events and Doune the Rabbit Hole is a great boost for Stirling, giving visitors and locals the chance to enjoy some great Scottish bands and contemporary music from across the world in the spectacular natural scenery of the Cardross Estate.”
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Five west coast music festivals award gig slots to CalMac Culture competition winners In a first for the CalMac Culture Music competition, a hopeful entrant has won more than one of the available festival gig prizes. At King Tut’s in Glasgow, eight original music acts came together for the final of the 2015 edition of CalMac Culture Music. Before a panel of judges assembled from five of Scotland’s top festivals, they sang and played their socks off in pursuit of one of five prestigious gig slots. Run by the operator of the UK’s largest ferry network, Caledonian MacBrayne, CalMac Culture Music began last year and aims to find new and rising talent, giving those musicians a dream chance to gig at some of Scotland’s best festivals. Last year alone, Caledonian MacBrayne helped support 100 events around Scotland’s west coast, a community commitment which is very important; the CalMac Culture competition has helped to introduce a new audience – both young and older – to the islands and Highlands and what the thriving cultural scenes there have to offer.
Bella and the Bear : www.facebook.com/bellaandthebear
Harry and the Hendersons : www.facebook.com/HarryAndTheHendersonsBand Jamie is a full-time musician who has been writing and performing his own material since he was just 14 years old. Now aged 29, he has shared the stage with some big names in the past, including the likes of Joan Armatrading, Damien Rice, Eddi Reader and King Creosote. He is also an events manager and music journalist. “I really am over the moon, it's an immense privilege to be a winner of the Calmac Culture competition,” said Jamie. “I’m so surprised and grateful that I was selected as the winner by two festival judges and I'm really looking forward to visiting and performing at the Tiree Music Festival and Best of the West Festival at Inveraray Castle. I’m extremely grateful to all the CalMac team for these brilliant opportunities for musicians through the competition. “I've been sailing with CalMac since before I was born – there's a wonderful photo of my pregnant mum talking away to folk singer John Martyn aboard a CalMac ferry to Skye in 1985 for the Skye Folk Festival – and I've got fond memories of travelling from a young age to beautiful Little Fire : places all over the country. It will be a privilege www.facebook.com/littlefiremusic for me to sail with them once more as I follow my music dreams this summer and I’m thrilled festival organisers and King Tut’s to make this to be a part of this adventure with CalMac.” competition Scotland’s premier contest for new “CalMac Culture Music has become a firm musical talent and we are really happy that it is calendar favourite after just two years,” said thriving and drawing entries of superb quality – CalMac’s marketing manager Peter Griffiths. the decision-making process has been extremely “Congratulations to Jamie on securing two of the difficult at every stage. five festival slots – his performance at the final was absolutely fantastic and the judges clearly www.CalMac.co.uk/Culture thought so too. https://twitter.com/CalMacCulture “We have been working very closely with the
www.facebook.com/CalMacCulture Gabbro : www.facebook.com/gabbroceilidh
This year’s eight finalists were selected from more than 50 entries. But one act went one better than anyone has done before, taking two of the five available places. The young man who has achieved this honour is Ayr’s Jamie McGeechan, who performs as LITTLE FIRE, impressing the selectors from both Tiree Music Festival and Inveraray’s Best of the West Festival. Joining Jamie in the winners’ enclosure are Inverness and Thurso band GABBRO, which will play at Bluebell Festival in Inveraray, Glasgow band HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS can look forward to playing the Mull of Kintyre Festival in Campbeltown and duo BELLA AND THE BEAR, also from Ayr, who will play at the 20th anniversary HebCelt Festival in Stornoway.
All photographs by Iain McDonagh :
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35th Shetland Folk Festival
Knoydart Music Festival
Shetland 30 April -3 May
Northern Streams
The Festival as the UK's most northerly folk festival is regarded a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike. Organised by a voluntary committee (and run by an even bigger pool of volunteers) the Festival prides itself in reaching out to even the most far flung areas of Shetland. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music that the world has to offer. In fact, visiting artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the quantity and quality of local musicians that our remote isles have to offer.
Edinburgh 24-25 April
www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
Knoydart April - Taking a holiday in 2015 Knoydart Festival is a weekend-long outdoor music festival for the whole family, centred around Scottish traditional music. It has been held every two years since 2009, but is taking a break in 2015. www.facebook.com/knoydartmusicfestival
For two days in April this truly unique festival combines one off concerts with dynamic and exciting workshops for both adults and children. In 2015 we celebrate the best talent from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Orkney/ Scotland. For the past 12 years the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (Edinburgh & Lothians Branch), have been bringing the finest in Nordic and Scottish music, song and dance to enthusiastic audiences in Edinburgh. And we are once again taking place in the Grassmarket Centre, Edinburgh www.northernstreams.org
TradFest Edinburgh · Dùn Èideann Edinburgh 29 April - 10 May
MAY
events, sessions for tunes and songs, Open Stage, workshops,secure campsite. So please tell all of your friends and help to make this the biggest Girven Festival ever! There will be plenty of room and plenty of music for all to enjoy. www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk
Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Oban 1-3 May The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival has developed into one of Scotland’s major cultural festivals, and takes place annually in Oban, Scotland. The event has developed to include new special events and competitions, and the festival now offers over 1100 participants 125 competition classes in ten disciplines including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, singing, highland dancing and choreography.
Thornhill Music Festival
www.obanfestival.org
Dumfriesshire 1-3 May
Isle of Bute Jazz Festival
Now in its 3rd year Thornhill Music Festival brings a rich and diverse programme of music to the village including acclaimed Blues artist Aynsley Lister. The weekend boasts a cross section of music from Country Rock and Blues, Ska, Rock, Indie, Blues funk, Eclectic Americana as well as singer songwriters. The festival also organises a "Rockschool" event for 11-16 year olds.
The 28th Isle of Bute Jazz Festival has grown spectacularly from its small beginnings to become one of Britain's most popular jazz weekends. Top-class UK and international names feature in a programme of traditional jazz music in one of Scotland's prettiest and friendliest seaside resorts.
www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events
Isle of Bute 1-4 May 2015
www.butejazz.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Thornhill-Music-Festival/487819717906138
Edinburgh’s TradFest kick starts the summer season with a feast of music, song, storytelling, dance, folk drama, literature, folk film, talks, crafts and visual arts in Scotland’s capital. This blaze of contemporary colour is inspired by the traditions of May Day and the Gaelic Beltane, showcasing Celtic arts and cultural traditions with a contemporary spin. www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh
Girvan Folk Festival Girvan 1-3 May Concerts - Sessions - Open Stage Competitions - Workshops - Children's Events Camp Site : Girvan Folk Festival started in 1975, a time when folk music in Scotland was increasingly exploring its own roots. Concert venues, competitions, ceilidh dance childrens
Brew at the Bog Inverness 2 May 2015 Super earlybird tickets have already sold out! Next batch of tickets go on sale in October! Brew at the Bog is BrewDog and Bogbain Farm’s gift to the world: a festival full of new music and new beer. BrewDog are the leaders of the craft beer revolution and they are about breaking
artist @ www.eddireader.co.uk label @ www.revealrecords.co.uk
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com rules, taking risks, upsetting trends, unsettling institutions but first and foremost, great tasting beers. As one newspaper put it, BrewDog is the new black. Bogbain Farm is based just outside Inverness and was crowned the “Best Unusual Venue” at the 2012 Scottish Event Awards. Brew at the Bog is just the latest in festivals Bogbain is hosting and the fabulous surroundings of this old farm will ensure Brew at the Bog 2015 will go down in history. www.brewatthebog.com
Burns an' a' That! Ayr 2-3 May
Banchory Festival of Scottish Music Banchory 9 May
Scotland's finest exponents of traditional singing for a weekend of old songs and bothy ballads in concerts and singarounds in the rural surroundings of the Fife Farm Park. The weekend also includes workshops/talks on topics related to traditional song and culture.
A celebration of Scottish traditional music hosted www.springthyme.co.uk/fifesing by the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, with the emphasis on fiddle music in all its Skye Accordion forms. www.banchoryfiddlers.co.uk
Scribblers Picnic
& Fiddle Festival Skye 21-23 May
Stirling 10 May
The annual Isle of Skye Accordion and Fiddle Festival just goes from strength to strength. The festival has built up a superb reputation for the The Burns an' a' that! Festival is an annual The Scribbler’s Picnic is a charity that was set up quality and quantity of music, fine venues and tribute to Scotland's internationally acclaimed in 2001 to raise money for five cancer charities – hospitality and most of all a friendly and happy poet Robert Burns. A new venue for 2015 at CHAS, Strathcarron Hospice, Maggie’s Centre, family atmosphere where old friendships are Rozelle Park, Ayr, more information coming Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer rekindled and new friendships formed through soon! Care. This outdoor event is held at the Stirling the mutual love of the music. Rugby Club with each year getting better and www.burnsfestival.com better. Four stages of music and a charity fete www.skyemusic.co.uk/festival.asp make it a fun day for all the family. The unique Moniave Folk Festival music event, which is run entirely by volunteers, Orkney Folk Festival will feature hundreds of musicians covering a Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, broad array of music across the day in the Orkney 8-10 May grounds of Stirling Rugby Club. It run's under 21-24 May the tagline 'Musicians Helping the Fight Against The Moniave Folk Festival has something for Cancer' and is run in association with Stirling Here we are folks – Orkney Folk Festival number everyone, Great music, Piping competitions, and Bridge of Allan Round Table. Thousands are 33! Once again we have some big names coming Open stages, children’s events and concerts. expected to flock to Bridgehaugh for the event north to join in the fun in May, and from the Workshops. Come along for a wonderful family which runs from 12noon to 8pm. ceilidh bands to the almost indie strand, we have weekend. brought together a broad mix of artists that we www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk hope appeals to everyone’s interpretation of the www.moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk increasingly expansive folk genre. As ever, our local traditions and musicians – both established Imaginate Psychedelic Forest Disco and emerging – will be centre stage alongside Edinburgh Kelburn those visiting the festival. 11-17 May 9 May www.orkneyfolkfestival.com Scotland's international festival of performing Kelburn’s infamous season-opener – the wild and arts for children and young people groovy feast for all the senses that is The Knockengorroch Psychedelic Forest Disco – returns on Saturday 9th May. Once again we will feature a top line-up www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/ World Ceilidh of acts across 2 soundsystems alongside Kirkcudbright innumerable hidden treats and surprises, quality FifeSing 21-24 May beer, cider and cocktails, camping and of course Collessie, Fife your favourite woodland shenanigans! If you prefer a bigger festival in a smaller pot 15-17 May you are a Knockengorrocher! Join us beside the www.kelburngardenparty.com/other-events/ glittering Water of Deugh beneath the broad This unique event brings together some of
www.monr.co.uk
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com shoulders of southwest Scotland's great mountain peaks to celebrate some of the finest music from the Celtic diaspora and everywhere in-between. The World Ceilidh melds together the most ancient roots music with the latest cutting edge sounds. This first truly backwoods upland music fest in Scotland hosts some of the best musicians and performers from across the world. All are invited to journey over hill and dale by rock and stream to our natural greenfield auditorium and to our upland stage to experience the biggest little festival this side of anywhere! www.knockengorroch.org.uk
Perth Festival of the Arts Perth 21-31 May Perth Festival is one of the highlights in Scotland's cultural calendar now in its 44th year with classical music, opera, jazz, rock, folk and visual art staged mainly in Perth Concert Hall. The Box Office opens on 30th March. Festival Friends can book from 23rd March only £10 to join. We are delighted to announce that The Proclaimers will headline the Festival on Saturday 23 May. www.perthfestival.co.uk
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
Montrose, Angus. It has become a much anticipated, annual event across Scotland. The festival committee is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation, dedicated to promoting free live music of all styles and genres, and at all levels, in Montrose and surrounding areas. The festival actively promotes local acts as well as hosting musicians from across the United Kingdom www.montrosemusicfestival.co.uk
Buchan Heritage Society Strichen Festival Strichen, Fraserburgh 22-24 May
Alwinton (Northumberland) 22-24 May Clennell Hall will be the venue for the Reivers Rock and Blues Festival with a fantastic line up of top name bands and artists from all corners of the UK. Clennell Hall is located in the Upper Coquet Valley of Northumberland (just over the Scottish border) near the village of Alwinton. Situated in it's own grounds, facilities include camping, bunk rooms, hotel rooms, fully licensed bars, restaurant and bar meals as well as hog roasts and snacks throughout the weekend. www.facebook.com/reiversrock
Montrose Music Festival Montrose 22-24 May Montrose Music Festival is a Scottish music festival which takes place at the end of May in
www.bordergaitherin.com
Strathyre Music Festival Strathyre 29-31 May Based in a large 120 foot marquee on Forestry Commission land this year the festival will also have a Friday evening dedicated to up and coming bands with performances between 7pm and Midnight. And organisers are already planning a full programme for 2015.
www.balvaig.co.uk The Buchan Heritage Festival at Strichen is one of the finest places to appreciate our rich tradition of music, song, verse, drama and story, Portsoy Folk Festival : and, at the same time, enjoy listening to, or “The 6th Haal” using, the broad 'Doric' language which is still Portsoy very much alive here in the North East, and 29-31 May enjoy a friendly family atmosphere where contestants have come from a' the airt's and A weekend of songs, tunes, stories, poetry, pairt's o' Scotland and sometimes beyond. dance, workshops and sessions to be held in and around Portsoy. www.buchanheritagesociety.co.uk
Doune & Dunblane Fling Dunblane 28-31 May
Like many others, the Fling was conceived with the help of music and alcohol. It began as an Dumfries and Galloway idea at the Dunblane Folk Club, among a group 21-31 May of people fond of music and fun. And so in May 1993 the first Fling happened. Since then the Our 9-day festival has taken place since 1979. Fling has gone from strength to strength. The founding aim was to bring international Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the performers of the highest quality to a region River' began. Held each Fling Saturday on containing many scattered rural communities Dunblane's historic Drying Green, its activities since then this region has produced some of its have ranged from an open stage for local young own talent of international standing and we’re musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and proud to also be able to present these artistes fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club from time to time. We offer a wide range of race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan events: music – including classical, jazz and folk, Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, dance, theatre, literary, children’s events, plus featuring over the years everything from ghost the visual arts and films. Events take place in a walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama range of venues throughout the region, from Group, master classes in everything from fiddling large to small, formal to informal, urban to rural. or mandolins to harmony singing or bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night. www.dgartsfestival.org.uk www.dunblanefling.com
Reivers Rock and Blues Festival
workshops, concerts, ceilidh and lively sessions. "Traditionally......the best!"
Riverside Festival Glasgow 29-30 May Following the huge success of last year’s festival The Electric Frog and Pressure - have joined forces once again, promoter Dave Clarke said: “After the fantastic sold-out event earlier this year we are delighted to be returning to The Riverside Museum, which is an outstanding location for our city music festival.” www.theelectricfrog.co.uk
The Border Gaitherin Coldstream 29-31 May A great traditional music weekend in the picturesque town of Coldstream on the River Tweed. The Border Gaitherin continues to build on its reputation for providing an exceptional family friendly event with traditional music
www.bothyfolk.org
Kintyre Songwriter's Festival Campbeltown 29-31 May The Kintyre Songwriters Festival is a music festival which aims to showcase and promote the song writing and musical talent in Kintyre. It also aims to encourage a new generation of local songwriters and musicians, by means of donations to local musical groups/organisations and the presentation of an annual memorial quaiche at Campbeltown Grammar School for original folk song. www.kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk
Scottish Pipe Band Championship Bathgate 30 May Competition is keen among the pipe bands competing in the national championship. Come along and hear the pipers, drummers and bands battle it out for the prizes. www.rspba.org
JUNE Kyles Music Festival Kyles of Bute 1-7 June A week-long celebration of all things great on Argyll's Secret coast. As well as live music in the pubs and hotels, expect exhibitions, guided walks, art, theatre, a scarecrow trail and more. Follow the yellow dot trail to find the venues. www.argyllsecretcoast.co.uk/event-details.php?id=1193
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MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS! To advertise advertise email email Carol Rob: robert.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com To - carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Arran Folk Festival Isle of Arran 5-7 June The 21st Arran Folk Festival line up is now online and tickets are available to purchase! Once again the festival are very proud of the musicians that they have booked to appear this year with some big names on the folk scene lined up who are all very enthusiastic about coming over to play Arran.
Eden Festival is boutique festival, with over 250 acts performing across 9 stages, bringing you live music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, circus skills, theatre, a children's area, fun and games and much more. Highlights from 2014: Reached the finals of the UK Festival Awards 2014 for Best Grass Roots Festival, Best Family friendly Festival and Listed in the Lonely Planets Top Ten European Festivals.
Solas Festival The Bield at Blackruthven 19-21 June
In what promises to be a exciting year in the spotlight for Scotland, Solas will entertain you with a mixing pot of art, music, dance and comedy whilst covering everything from jazz to ceilidh dancing, and hip hop to slow food. Our brilliant variety of acts and friendly atmosphere www.facebook.com/theedenfestival make it a great destination for families. Under12s go free. The festival aims to create a Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival generous, hospitable space in Scotland where www.facebook.com/arranfolkfestival Kirkcudbright the arts can be performed and enjoyed by all. The programme also makes space for Glasgow West End Festival 11-15 June challenging debate with activists, writers and Glasgow The 18th annual festival in this unique small thinkers from across the political, cultural and 5-28 June Scottish town will endeavour to maintain the religious spectrum. Solas Festival offers a high musical standards set by previous festivals. creative and entertaining programme for The West End Festival (WEF) is Glasgow’s largest Visitors will have the chance to enjoy top class festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. cultural event and every June takes over the and highly professional artistes, some on a first imaginations of participants and visitors in the time visit, as well as some old favourites, www.solasfestival.co.uk west end of Glasgow. In 2015 it celebrates its ensuring that the festival caters for jazz lovers of 20th year. Over 100 Glasgow-based all ages who appreciate quality as well as variety Riverside Rock organisations, arts groups and local and in their entertainment. international artists deliver a mixture of activities Jedburgh and projects, overseen by a small festival team. www.kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk 20 June The WEF brings all of these activities together in the festival programme and includes events, Riverside Rock 2015 is set to be another musical Loanhead Music Festival exhibitions, performances, talks, tours, extravaganza with something for everyone workshops and screenings, and many are free of Midlothian young and old.... Family entertainment at Jedcharge to allow accessibility. 12-14 June Forest RFC, Riverside Park in association with Cash for Kids. There will be children's www.westendfestival.co.uk The 15th Loanhead Music festival is a weekend entertainment of all kinds combined with Rock of pub sessions, with workshops and and Traditional Bands from across the borders competitions, and concerts. As always the and further afield. Riverside Rock must not be Meadows Festival emphasis is still very much on sessions and fun. missed, the Scottish Borders very own music Edinburgh Come and help us celebrate - as usual, we have festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh. Bring along 6-7 June a Friday evening concert, a full Saturday a picnic (alcohol not permitted) and come and programme including a Craft Fair, an open mic support this local event and help raise cash for Edinburgh's free volunteer-run music & event, a song-writing competition and a recycled our chosen charity “Cash For Kids” and other community festival - The Edinburgh Meadows instrument competition, as well as workshops in sports organisations around the Scottish Festival features live music, merchandise, stalls, a variety of musical skills. And of course, there Borders. Tickets on sale now at kids’ and adults’ activities and loads more. The are the pub sessions, which form the heart of www.riversiderock.co.uk first Meadows Festival took place in 1974 and any good festival. since then the Festival has been an annual www.riversiderock.co.uk feature of the calendar. In 2013 over 20,000 www.loanheadfest.co.uk people attended across the two days of the Fete de la Musique Festival, so it’s a busy and fun-filled couple of TMSA Keith Festival days! There will be two stages at the 2014 Edinburgh Meadows Festival: Red Dog Music Stage and Moray 21 June Fortune Futures Stage 12-14 June Following its launch on 21 June 1982, La Fête de www.meadowsfestival.org/live-music/ This will be the 40th TMSA Keith Festival and we la Musique is now celebrated in France every hope you can join us for another great weekend year on this date. This popular international of music, dance and song. Long established musical event now takes place in more than 100 XpoNorth traditional music and song festival with countries worldwide. The Institut Français Inverness competitions, ceilidhs concerts and sessions d’Ecosse has celebrated La Fête de la Musique in 10-11 June attracting singers and traditional musicians from Edinburgh each year since it was started. Check throughout Scotland. Organised by the Keith the Events page at www.ifecosse.org.uk XpoNorth is Scotland's leading Creative branch of the Traditional Music and Song Industries festival. Formerly known as goNORTH, Association of Scotland. www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr it takes place every June in the Highland capital of Inverness over two vibrant days and nights. http://tmsakeithfestival.blogspot.co.uk/ Glasgow Jazz Festival By day, XpoNorth hosts around 25 panels and workshops featuring leading industry players in Glasgow the fields of fashion and craft, publishing, screen Leith Festival 24–28 June and broadcast and music. By night, it offers an Edinburgh authentic blend of Highland hospitality in the 13-21 June This is the 29th year of the festival, and once form of networking events, coupled with a free again we hope that this year’s line up offers new music showcase at various venues across Leith Festival celebrates all that Leith has to something for everyone! Acts to be announced Inverness city centre. offer – our heritage, our culture, our diversity, soon! our future and our people. It is a community arts www.xponorth.co.uk festival that encompasses all art forms which www.jazzfest.co.uk comes together in a fantastic 10 day programme in June each year. We have over 380 events in Eden Festival Wildfire Festival over 50 venues across Leith. Raehills Meadows 26-28 June 11-14 June South Lanarkshire www.leithfestival.com Set in the stunning Raehill Meadows of Dumfries
Scotland's classic rock and metal festival. Now in
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com its fourth year, this is Scotland's only 3 day annual, Classic Rock and Heavy Metal Festival. Recently awarded the best musical event of the year at the Scottish New Music Awards. www.wildfirefestival.co.uk
The East Neuk Festival Fife 27 June -5 July The award-winning and critically-acclaimed East Neuk Festival presents world-class arts events in the East Neuk of Fife. The heart of the Festival is classical chamber music, but we also present world, jazz, folk and electronica. In addition to our musical celebrations, we’ve commissioned films, exhibitions, art installations and literature events as well as guided walks. www.eastneukfestival.com
JULY
Minnigaff Traditional Music Festival 10-11 July Newton Stewart Annual traditional and acoustic music festival held in the picturesque market town of Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway. Live music concerts, workshops and sessions. www.facebook.com/TradMusicFestival
T in the Park Fife 10-12 July What more can we say! Scotland’s most widely known and respected festival, which always attracts the biggest names. Check out if tickets are still available at www.tinthepark.com/tickets www.tinthepark.com
Kelburn Garden Party Largs 3-5 July
Hebridean Celtic Festival Hebrides 15-18 July
Fantastic four-day festival set against the rich cultural backdrop of the Outer Hebrides, The Kelburn Garden Party 2015 which takes featuring top quality music from around the place in and around the spectacular grounds of the world famous Kelburn Castle. Once again the Celtic nations and beyond. Stornoway and throughout Lewis and Harris. The Hebridean bill features a unique and exciting bill of artists from across the country and further afield, each Celtic Festival was voted 'Best Event or Festival' hand-picked to come to Kelburn's hugely popular at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards last year. This year’s 20th HebCelt aims to build (sell out in 2013 and 2014) and utterly magical on a successful 2014 event which staged its annual festival. biggest ever programme of 40 acts, headlined by Big Country, Levellers and Donnie Munro. A huge www.kelburngardenparty.com influx of music fans from overseas made up the estimated 14,000 strong audience which proved Newcastleton Traditional a major economic boost for the islands. Get your tickets quickly at www.hebceltfest.com/booking
Music Festival Scottish Borders 3-5 July
www.hebceltfest.com
The Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival is probably the longest continuously running music festival in Scotland. Founded in 1970, the festival revolves around a series of competitions (mainly on Saturday), loosely linked by dances, organised ceilidhs and singarounds on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Noncombatants create ad-hoc sessions in all possible locations and visitors are more than welcome at every venue. One of the most popular events is the Grand Winners' Concert on Saturday night, featuring the best of the day's competitors interspersed with passing musicians who failed to escape the press-gang! www.newcastleton.com
Stonehaven Folk Festival 9-12 July Stonehaven
Tiree Music Festival Isle of Tiree 17-19 July Tiree Music Festival (TMF) was formed in 2010 when Tiree musician Daniel Gillespie (Skerryvore) teamed up with school friend Stewart MacLennan with the radical idea of holding an open-air festival on their local island of Tiree. TMF is more than just attending a music festival – it is an island adventure. From the stunning sail or flight to the island of Tiree, camping next to the white sands of Crossapol Bay or surfing at Balevullin beach, TMF is an experience very few festivals in the world could compete with. Get your tickets quick, the early birds sold out in hours - http:// tireemusicfestival.co.uk/ticket-prices www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
Stonehaven Folk Festival - home of good music and song. Some of the best Traditional and Contemporary Folk music with Concerts, Ceilidh, Sessions, Singarounds, Workshops and the famous Aqua Ceilidh and World Paper’n’Comb Championships. Come and join the fun! www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
Newton Stewart &
ButeFest The Isle of Bute 17-19 July A brand new three day festival of music, food and fun. This accessible and hugely friendly family festival all takes places a mere thirty-five miles as the crow flies from Glasgow. Butefest has endeavoured to compile a richly varied and superb line-up that includes both the contemporary and the classic of the music world
and runs that gamut from rock to roots and folk to dance. www.butefest.co.uk
Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival Edinburgh 17-26 July Come in and relax… for ten days, the Jazz & Blues Festival musical talent in all shapes and sizes Whether you’re a Festival regular or firsttimer, this year’s programme offers styles for all tastes – from bop to boogie-woogie to bluesrock; from samba to swing to soul. Jazz legends and international acts line up with homegrown talent and rising stars. Check out your favourite acts, of course, but we encourage you to get in the spirit of the Festival and try something new – you’re likely to discover a hidden gem! Experimental guitarists, funky swing bands, soulful singers shine from every corner of the line-up. www.edinburghjazzfestival.com
The Wickerman Festival Dumfries & Galloway 24-25 July The Wickerman Festival prides itself on offering music lovers a diverse mix of iconic acts and emerging talent and this year’s line-up will be no exception. Scotland's alternative music festival in Dumfries & Galloway offers a unique and eclectic celebration of cult musical genres and cult cinema with a relaxed, laidback family-friendly atmosphere, aimed at the more discerning contemporary music fan. All the action climaxes with the burning of a giant traditional willow and straw effigy. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk
Rewind Scotland 24-26 July Perth Featuring fantastic performances from a massive line-up of iconic artists and plenty of other festival fun including camping, funfairs, silent disco, street entertainers, fireworks and much more... www.rewindfestival.com
Aberdeen International Youth Festival Aberdeen 24 July - 1 August Over the years AIYF has hosted more than 27,500 young people from around the globe, making it one of the biggest and most successful gatherings of youth talent held anywhere in the world. AIYF now produces over 80 performances in 9 days of top class entertainment across 50 venues in the North-east of Scotland. It's not all about the big shows though, as AIYF offers some of the most intimate classical and chamber music performances through its series ‘Up Close and Musical'. and also delivers an ‘Extended Festival' programme of events, where our artists take their shows out to communities both in Aberdeen and further afield. AIYF also offers inclusive, participatory summer courses such as
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MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS! To advertise advertise email email Carol Rob: robert.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com To - carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com the ‘Dance Lab' and ‘Traditional Music School', where up and coming artists can learn from professional artists.
24 July - 1 August
Over the years AIYF has hosted more than 27,500 young people from around the globe, www.aiyf.org making it one of the biggest and most successful gatherings of youth talent held anywhere in the world. AIYF now produces over 80 performances PKD Festival in 9 days of top class entertainment across 50 Dalgety Bay venues in the North-east of Scotland. It's not all 25 July about the big shows though, as AIYF offers some of the most intimate classical and chamber The venue has changed to The Dalgety Bay music performances through its series ‘Up Close Sports centre. The bigger venue allows for and Musical'. and also delivers an ‘Extended several additions for PKD 2015. These will Festival' programme of events, where our artists include fairground rides such as Dodgems, take their shows out to communities both in waltzers, tea cups for the kids and more. It will Aberdeen and further afield. AIYF also offers also see the addition of a second stage allowing inclusive, participatory summer courses such as for more bands and less time between band the ‘Dance Lab' and ‘Traditional Music School', changeovers. There will be more bike exhibitors where up and coming artists can learn from than ever before and the number of community professional artists. stalls will be more than doubled. This year event also sees a change of charity www.aiyf.org partner. All money raised from the event will be going to Kingdom Kids, a children’s charity run Tartan Heart by Kingdom FM benefitting sick and underprivileged kids in Fife and Poppy Scotland.
‘Belladrum’ Festival
www.pkdfestival.com
Prestfest
Beauly 6-8 August
Prestwick 31 July - 2 August
Get yourself a ticket to Scotland’s all ages wackiest festival of music and performing arts. Bella is back in its beautiful Highland setting with PRESTFEST the Prestwick Community Music all the crazy variety that makes it Scotland’s Festival is run by enlisting financial support from premier boutique festival. ''Belladrum - quite local pubs, cafes, restaurants,,hotels,shops and simply, it’s what everyday life should be like, if other business services throughout the town. All only everyday life didn't get in the way.'' - Clare types of music at various venues throughout the Damdoaran, eFestivals town. www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk www.prestfest.co.uk
MugStock Festival
Speyfest
Mudock 7-9 August
Moray 31 July - 2 August
www.glasgowsummersessions.com
Innerleithen Music Festival Scottish Borders 21-23 August A hugely enjoyable weekend of traditional music in this small Borders town, beautifully situated amongst rolling hills by the River Tweed. Memorable concerts feature some of the biggest names in Celtic music alongside the best of the local talent and the weekend is rounded off with a concert presenting wonderful singers of traditional song. Complementing the concerts are an open stage, a singaround and the legendary informal music sessions in local hostelries and the Union Club. www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org
Doune The Rabbit Hole Cardross, nr Stirling 21-23 August A small family-friendly festival with a twist! Doune The Rabbit Hole presents music, comedy, art, spoken word, drama, puppetry and much more! Events across Scotland throughout the year culminating in a 3 day multi arts festival... it's time to go Doune The Rabbit Hole!! We make people happy through music, art, cake and loads of other stuff! After we've done that we teach people who wouldn't ordinarily be able to how to do creative things, like play instruments, write poetry and paint. www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk
MugStock: A Festival of Music and Merriment will Rockerbie take place just north of Glasgow in Mugdock Lockerbie Country Park 22 August
The best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music - As Scottish Music Festivals go Speyfest is a real Gem. The small town folk festival with big ideas! Three days of Concerts, Ceilidhs and www.facebook.com/Mugstock Stomps, with some of the biggest names from the world of traditional and contemporary Celtic Party at The Palace music and all in the beautiful village of Fochabers on the banks of the River Spey. It just Linlithgow 8-9 August can't get any better than that! Or can it? www.speyfest.com
Southern Fried Perth 31 July - 2 August
Party at The Palace returns for a second celebration. In August 2014 Scottish music stars performed against the magnificent backdrop of Linlithgow Palace & the Peel, showcasing some of the nation's finest music. Scots rock favourites Simple Minds and Deacon Blue headlined the 2day event which also featured performances from Hue and Cry, Horse, The Silencers, Attic Lights, The Bluebells and many more. Watch our website for 2015 Party at the Palace news!
Southern Fried covers a wide range of musical styles including country, blues, bluegrass, gospel, soul, songwriters, alt.country and more. Plus authentic southern and soul food, free gigs, latenight performances and workshops. - See www.partyatthepalace.co.uk more at: http://www.horsecross.co.uk/southernfried-festival/#sthash.IVJKoHFq.dpuf
Glasgow Summer Sessions
www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk
AUGUST Aberdeen International Youth Festival Aberdeen
people at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park across three dates. The events attracted thousands of visitors to the city and provided a massive boost to the local economy.
Glasgow 20 August Global star Calvin Harris has been announced as the first headline act of Glasgow Summer Sessions 2015, as Scotland’s only outdoor city music festival returns to Bellahouston Park this August. Last year’s Summer Sessions saw US superstars, The Killers, and DJs David Guetta and Steve Angello perform to over 100,000
Music Festival
Two stages, all kinds of music, fairground rides, food and drinks. Great day of music to suit all tastes and ages. Get a discount on your ticket when you buy early www.facebook.com/rockerbie
Summer Isles Festival Achiltibuie, Ross-shire 29 August Pioneered by local musician Mairearad Green, with fantastic music and the most beautiful festival setting in Achiltibuie, which is under an hour from Ullapool. www.summerislesfestival.com
Go-Rock Fest Gourock 29 August Go-Rock is a small multi-venue festival aiming to showcase some of the great unsigned and independent acts in Scotland. Just a short train ride from Glasgow, the pretty coastal town of Gourock with its intimate venues and stunning views is the perfect location for our wee festival. With genres ranging from solo acoustic and folk through to opera, rock and metal, you're
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MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS! To advertise advertise email email Carol Rob: robert.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com To - carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com guaranteed to find something you enjoy. GoRock is part of Music on the Brain. www.facebook.com/gorock.music
Electric Fields
Dundee Celt Fest Dundee 18-20 September 2015 will be the first Dundee Celt Fest, a weekend music festival featuring the best of celtic rock and folk music.
Ullapool Guitar Festival Ullapool 2-4 October
So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest performers and those, like the students from the Nestling in the beautiful surroundings of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out Drumlanrig Castle, south west Scotland. We’ve on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loopallu been working really hard to top last year and Loch Broom and the drive up through some of we’re pretty excited about this summer, as well Ullapool Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s 25-26 September as having some brand new developments the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone Loopallu takes place in the tiny remote North www.facebook.com/electricfieldsfestival mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting West coast fishing village of Ullapool and doubles beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or the population of the village for the weekend. As even jamming with them on one of the trade well as the usual eclectic line up of acts stands. appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com festival will be welcoming the return of the Nairn Book and Literally Literary tent in association with Ullapool Book Festival. All this, as well as the usual warm Glasgow Americana Festival Arts Festival Ullapool welcome. Glasgow Nairn 7-11 October 1-6 September www.loopallu.co.uk Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana A unique celebration of literature, drama, music musicians from as far afield as Texas and Isle of Jura Music Festival brings and art in the Highlands of Scotland. There will Canada to perform roots music from blues to be music for all tastes. Jura rockabilly. 25-27 September https://nairnfestival.co.uk/ www.glasgowamericana.com The Isle of Jura Musical Festival is a wellestablished favourite for lovers of the traditional 100 Bands On The Border sound music scene, enjoy a weekend packed with Galashiels fantastic performances, stimulating workshops, North East Scotland 4-6 September spontaneous sessions and great craic. To 22 October - 9 November guarantee you don’t miss out, you can pre100 Bands On The Border will be a music festival purchase your tickets online now. sound is driven by the passion to make new held in venues and stages in Galashiels town music more accessible to audiences of all ages centre. The idea behind this is to bring the best www.juramusicfestival.com and backgrounds. It embraces a network of local up and coming new bands and musicians from organisations to produce a varied programme of all over the UK to the Scottish Borders to events exploring new music. The festival brings Dunbar Traditional showcase their talents. Contact Bill Jeffrey together a large range of different genres of william.jeffrey1@btopenworld.com music to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and Music Festival encourage people to discover new sounds and Dunbar weblink below .... widen their musical horizons. www.facebook.com/pages/JMP3-Jeffrey-Music-Promotions/745042952180452 25-27 September Drumlanrig Castle 29 August
SEPTEMBER
Blas Festival
The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival continues to flourish since it began in 1988. Set in the Highlands historic seaside town of Dunbar, the Festival is 4-12 September committed to showcasing local and young talent alongside well established and internationally Blas Festival is the Highlands' premier Gaelic and known artists. Song, music, pipes & drums, traditional music festival. Blas takes place in children's workshop, informal tunes and venues across the Highlands and includes an sessions, concerts, ceilidhs and open air eclectic line-up of local, national and performances are the traditional hallmarks of the international artistes. annual September event. The Festival caters for a wide range of musical tastes. Initially the www.blas-festival.com focus was on traditional Scottish and Irish music but in recent years this has broadened to include jazz, blues, Appalachian, country, bluegrass and Best of the West Festival skiffle. Inveraray 12-13 September
www.dunbarmusicfestival.co.uk
Best of the West Festival an 'end of season' showcase held annually in the grounds of Inveraray Castle in Argyll. This family weekend includes two days of music and song with performances in both English and Gaelic. The festival has a strong focus on local young talent as well as the best of the established performers. As well as a great line-up of music, food and drink it's also important to us to provide a wide range of activities for all ages. www.bowfest.co.uk
OCTOBER The Spree Paisley (TBC) October Paisley's national festival of music, comedy and arts, now in it third year - taking place at various venues in the town centre
www.sound-scotland.co.uk
Perthshire Amber The Dougie MacLean Festival Perthshire 30 October - 8 November This is the 11th year of our festival and promises once again to be full of wonderful concerts featuring the finest of Scotland's musical talent as well as some international guests. Our venues are as special as ever … ranging from the prestigious Perth Concert Hall to town halls and tiny village halls, from atmospheric castles to our historic Dunkeld Cathedral and even including an iron age Crannog on Loch Tay…25 venues in all in 2015! www.perthshireamber.com
2016 COMING SOON!
www.thespree.co.uk
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