Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Dean Owens
Dean Owens to play Edinburgh's TradFest : See pages 3 www.facebook.com/deanowensmusic // www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh
INSIDE: TradFest : Innerleithen Music Festival : HebCelt : Hippodrome Festival : XpoNorth : Thornhill Music Festival : Wickerman ..... plus 7 pages of '2015 Scottish Music Festival Listings'! www.gonorth.biz
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www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk link: www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk tickets: sign up to be alerted @ http://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/mailing-list/
www.hebceltfest.com
www.tracscotland.org/festivals tickets: http://www.hebceltfest.com/store/tickets.php fb: https://www.facebook.com
fb @ www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh tweet @ https://twitter.com/TradFestEd
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Rooted in the Past : Resonating in the Present Edinburgh : 29 April - 10 May : www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh TICKETS! @ Box Office Open Friday 27 March - 0131 556 9579
Tradition goes live in Edinburgh, when the third annual showcase of Traditional Arts and Culture takes place in Scotland’s capital from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 10 May 2015.
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 Campbell, Emily Smith, Robyn Stapleton, Transgressive North, Swedish Trio
TradFest Edinburgh Dùn Èideann 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. Venues include Calton Hill, the Royal Mile, The Pleasance, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Filmhouse, Queens Hall, Summerhall, George Square Theatre and Dance Base. The TradFest Trail highlights craft shops, galleries, pub sessions, instrument makers, bookshops, restaurants and cafes that help visitors experience Scotland’s culture and the folk arts. TradFest Edinburgh Dùn Èideann showcases a packed programme of folk arts – music, song,
TradFest Edinburgh Dùn Èideann is promoted by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) with partners and co-curators. These include Edinburgh Folk Club, SoundHouse, Hands Up for Trad, Edinburgh Filmhouse, School of Scottish Studies, Queens Hall, Summerhall, Dance Base, Craft Scotland, the Scots Music Group and a range of artists. TRACS brings together the work of the Traditional Music Forum, the Scottish Storytelling Forum, and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland in collaboration with Scotland’s language organisations. TradFest is supported by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council. Box Office @ Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR 0131 556 9579
Salt House : www.facebook.com/SaltHouseMusic
www.musicplus.org.uk
www.scottishmusiccentre.com
Väsen, The Hydro Choir from Oslo, The Badwills, DJ Dolphin Boy, Sangstream, The Fisher Lassies, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, John Muir – University of the Wilderness, National Collective, Sheila Stewart Tribute and much more.
www.tracscotland.org/festivals www.twitter.com/tradfested www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh
www.hittheroad.org.uk
www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre www.twitter.com/scottishmusic
weblinks: www.scottishmusiccentre.com
www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre www.musicplus.org.uk www.hittheroad.org.uk
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Innerleithen Music Festival Announces The Launch Of Their 2015 Programme With Eddi Reader And Skipinnish Headlining Innerleithen : 21-23 August : www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org TICKETS! @ http://www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org/index.php?p=tickets - Tickets will be on sale from April
Innerleithen is just 30 miles south from Edinburgh tucked into the lovely Borders hills between Peebles and Galashiels, and nestling by the famous River Tweed. For the past 13 years this small town has held what is now a renowned traditional music festival and for 2015 they have another fantastic line up for you. From August 21-23 Innerleithen Music Festival combines a superb series of evening concerts - with some of the best-known names on the Scottish music circuit, supported by many breaking acts - plus music all weekend showcasing local talent. More festival details will be announced to coincide with tickets going on sale on 1 April, but with Eddi Reader and Skipinnish headlining the Friday and Saturday concerts you'd be advised to diary that on-sale date now to beat the rush! To make the most of the festival a weekend stay in Innerleithen is highly recommended, with a host of interesting places nearby available to compliment the music there's accommodation information from campsites to hotels on the IMF website to help plan your musical mini-break in the Scottish Borders. The programme announced so far, with much more to follow, has Scotland's internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Eddi Reader appearing with her band to open the festival on Friday 21 August, supported by Seoras Ashby and Frank Usher who combine to deliver a beautifully crafted blend of contemporary americana, blues and indie-folk. On the Saturday Tommy Ashby entertains
Playing Innerleithen on Saturday 22 August are The Friel Sisters : www.facebook.com/frielsisters photo by Louise Bichan - www.louisebichan.co.uk
you for the afternoon with his absorbing live show, which seamlessly integrates folk and blues with Tommy's songwriting talent to create skilfully crafted, warming and beautiful songs this is an Innerleithen son coming home from his successful UK music career journey to play for his hometown's festival. Then moving to the Saturday evening there are two groups who are in constant demand around the world; Skipinnish, whose music follows the authentic Highland tradition but with a contemporary sound, and Glasgow's The Friel Sisters with their take on Irish music, will provide a Saturday evening to remember. On the Sunday afternoon the main stage has a youthful air as it is taken over by the 'Live & Local' musicians as they highlight the wide breadth of talent from the area. Innerleithen Music Festival is very proud of their "Live & Local" programme that throughout the festival gives up and coming local acts the opportunity to play for a knowledgeable audience and gain great experience - these performances are all free to attend. Then closing the festival on Sunday evening is the Traditional Singers Concert with the north-
east's Paul Anderson, who is one of the most respected exponents of the Scots fiddle tradition, and Shona Donaldson who is a past Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Awards. Appearing with them are Northumbrian Mike Tickell and the a cappella group Fisher Lassies - all performing trad song and music at its very best. And just added to the line-up is Mark Dunlop of Malinky fame, a very fine singer and musician who is a wonderfully sensitive and eloquent interpreter of traditional Irish songs, with a particular affinity for his native Ulster heritage. On top of all this there will be workshops, busking, a singaround and a chance to let your hair down at the Rock & Roll Classics & Ballad session - plus of course the late night festival club! Keep an eye on the IMF website and social media for the latest announcements, or sign up to the IMF mailing list at http://bit.ly/innerleithen-newsletter
www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org https://twitter.com/InnerleithenMF www.youtube.com/user/InnerleithenMusic www.facebook.com/innerleithenmusicfestival
artist: www.eddireader.co.uk label: www.revealrecords.co.uk
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tickets @ http://skerryvoredecade.com/ link: www.facebook.com/skerryfans
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Island Cultures Explored In Unique Collaboration Stornoway : 15-19 July : www.hebceltfest.com BUY HEBCELT TICKETS! @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/
They may be geographically removed and unique in their own way, but Scotland’s northernmost islands share many cultural connections, not least their Viking heritage and a tradition of expressing their distinctive lifestyles through music. Now a new collaboration, bringing together a trio of songwriters, has produced a collection of songs for the current generation, fusing diverse styles from three different island backgrounds.
‘Between Islands’, the work of Kris Drever, from Orkney, Arthur Nicholson, from Shetland, and Willie Campbell, from Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, will be heard for the first time in public this summer when it is premiered at the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which is marking its 20th anniversary. The collaboration project was devised by an Lanntair, the arts centre in Stornoway - which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year - and will start the centre’s week-long programme of events during HebCelt from 15-19 July. Alex MacDonald, Head of Performing Arts and cinema at an Lanntair, said: “Between Islands came about because of an idea I had about celebrating the wealth of talent the islands have collectively; an exploration of our ties rather than our differences. “It seemed to me that we could make something very special happen by pairing the right people, and I certainly think we have struck gold with this first project. So much so that we plan to extend the idea and include other art forms such as film or craft in the future, as well as aiming for a musical collaborative project each year. In fact I am already planning the next one - based on the fiddle tradition – and this time featuring three very talented young island women. “Opening the HebCelt with this concert feels entirely appropriate. Both organisations are of course celebrating significant anniversaries this year, and this project is a clear illustration of our continued close relationship and in particular our shared aim of promoting island talent.” Kris Drever is widely acclaimed as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars Lau. Named as ‘Best Newcomer’ in the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards in 2007, he has produced several solo albums and also had successful collaborations as a trio with John McCusker and Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble and as a duo with Eamonn Coyne (from Treacherous Orchestra).
Kris Drever, Willie Campbell and Arthur Nicholson Director Gary Innes and writer, broadcaster and shinty historian Hugh Dan MacLennan will be joined by singer Kathleen MacInnes, acclaimed piper Duncan MacGillivray, and musicians Ewen and Allan Henderson. An Lanntair will also host the return of popular Gaelic group Na hÒganaich – featuring founding members Margaret and Donnie MacLeod who are widely credited with reviving interest in Gaelic music in the 1970s for a younger generation and influencing many musicians who followed in their footsteps, including Capercaillie. In addition, there will be a return to the stage of Shine, made up of Corrina Hewat, one of the world’s leading harp players and sought-after as a player, composer, arranger and teacher; Mary Macmaster , considered to be one of the most innovative players of the metal-strung harp in the world; and Lewis-born singer Alyth McCormack who tours extensively with acts such as Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains.
Caroline Maclennan, HebCelt’s director, said: “Once again we have compiled a diverse, and we hope, thoroughly engaging programme for an Lanntair during the festival. It will showcase the best of our traditional music and present our cultural heritage in modern and engaging ways Shetlander Arthur Nicholson released his debut album Sticks & Stones whilst celebrating the ongoing collaboration between our respective in 2013 to significant acclaim and the following year won a coveted award organisations.” for outstanding artists at the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic HebCelt has already announced the first additions to an international lineConnections. up set to celebrate its landmark year. This includes Grammy-nominated Lewis-born Willie Campbell, formerly of guitar pop outfit Astrid and Glasgow group The Reindeer Section, has produced a number of albums, both solo and with evolving local collective, The Open Day Rotation. He has also collaborated with award winning poet Kevin MacNeil and, more recently, Calum Martin on Dalma, Willie’s debut Gaelic album. Willie said: “I enjoyed every minute of the writing process for Between Islands. The three of us have our own distinct ways of approaching song writing, but without a doubt the environment you live in comes through so there's definitely a strong presence of the islands in the songs and themes that are familiar to all three of us.
Afro Celt Sound System, Glasgow-based Treacherous Orchestra and Highland outfit The Elephant Sessions. They will be joined by singer songwriter Chastity Brown, from Minneapolis; Canadian folk group Le Vent du Nord; Indian singersongwriter, producer, and film score composer Raghu Dixit; Michigan roots ensemble Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys; and Jamie Smith's MABON, an inter-Celtic band from Wales.
Renowned Scottish singer Karen Matheson, will be heading her own band which will include husband and fellow founder member of Capercaillie, Donald Shaw; and is joined in the festival line-up by “I hadn't heard Arthur’s or Kris's songs before the project, but we clicked singers Siobhan Miller and Iain Morrison; electro/techno group Halcyon, new band Malin; indie pop and folk-rock six-piece Sunshine really easily in terms of writing. Also, voices don't always blend and Social; and Earths, a folk and punk four-piece from the Borders. complement each other the way ours seem to. “I'm so looking forward to playing these songs to an audience for the first time in An Lanntair.” An Lanntair’s programme will also include Curaidhean na Camanachd (Shinty’s Heroes, a production exploring the centenary of the Great War and the traditions of shinty played on Scotland’s west coast. Musical
www.hebceltfest.com www.facebook.com/HebCelt https://twitter.com/HebCelt
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www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.fallenangelsclub.com
fb: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fallen-Angels-Club/149553931728736 tickets: www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.josephinesillars.com tweet @ https://twitter.com/JosephineHere fb: www.facebook.com/pages/Josephine-Sillars-singersongwriter/243260802371468
Michael Cassidy
debut album
My Electric Heart out now
Buy on CD @ http://michaelcassidy.bandcamp.com/album/my-electric-heart Digital @ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/my-electric-heart/id958553620
www.stephaniemanns.com
album review @ www.netsoundsunsigned.com/2015/02/03/michael-cassidy-my-electric-heart/
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order album @ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fool-like-me/id958330705 link: www.stephaniemanns.com
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World Premiere soundtrack commissions for 'Scotland’s celebration of music & movies' Boness : 22-27 March : www.hippfest.co.uk
the mns collection ….
TICKETS! @ www.hippfest.co.uk or Box Office on 01324 506850
HippFest celebrates its fifth birthday in style with three major World Premiere Festival Commissions, a pop-up cinema at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, the chance to discover forgotten stars Colleen Moore and Eric Campbell and get hands-on with a series of workshops and interactive events covering everything from beatboxing to Joan Crawford’s favourite dinner party recipes
Moishe's Bagel : www.facebook.com/moishesbagel Shona and her fellow musicians Alasdair Paul and Amy Thatcher will perform the score at The Barbican in London in late Spring.
Those wanting to do more than take their seats in the cinema can head along to the Festival’s first-ever HippFest Speakeasy at Bo’ness Town Hall (Saturday 21st March), a late-night cabaret-style retreat with intimate performances from some of the Festival’s top musical acts or book a place at the table for The bumper fifth anniversary programme for the Silver Screen Suppers (Sunday 22nd March), where 2015 Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema has been diners will sip Shirley Temples, learn recipes from announced, with tickets to all events now on sale. the Joan Crawford Cookbook and get tips on hosting Taking place at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built their very own silent-themed dinner parties courtesy cinema, the beautiful art deco Bo’ness Hippodrome, of film historian and food blogger Jenny Hammerton. HippFest has grown into one of Europe’s most renowned silent cinema festivals, attracting visitors For our younger audiences the Festival’s Youth and performers from across the UK and beyond. Engagement Programme offers a host of interactive The full programme confirms that 2015 will be the biggest and most ambitious Festival to date. Highlights include: Three World Premiere Events commissioned by the Festival: Edinburgh favourites Moishe's Bagel whip up an intoxicating new score for Salt For Svanetia. This rarely seen, fascinating example of Soviet propaganda cinema from 1930 will come to life with the band’s trademark mix of Eastern European dance music and edge-of-your-seat improvisation. Following the live premiere at the Hippodrome Festival, the five-piece band and film will tour to five venues across Scotland and the soundtrack will be released on CD, with funding support from Creative Scotland. (Saturday 21st March).
workshops thanks to continued support from Bo’ness business Caledonian Produce and new project funder Cashback for Creativity through the Open Arts Fund. Local school pupils will get the chance to put on their own 1900s ‘Night At The Movies’, where they’ll take on everything from choosing the programme to designing the posters, get a unique hands-on music lesson with headline Festival band Moishe’s Bagel and learn the art of beatboxing from one of the country’s top performers (and returning Festival favourite) Jason Singh. The Hippodrome Cinema is run by Falkirk Community Trust on behalf of its key funder, Falkirk Council. Ian Scott, Chairman of Falkirk Community Trust, said “It is a particular pleasure to be celebrating the Festival’s fifth birthday in 2015 as Scotland’s only silent film festival continues to grow on the national cultural stage. Once again we are delighted to welcome a line-up of outstanding musicians to perform live in the Hippodrome and at partner venues across the town of Bo’ness. We are also very pleased that work commissioned and first performed in Bo’ness will continue to be heard across Scotland and beyond once the Festival itself is finished”.
Performer and storyteller extraordinaire Andy Cannon and his musical collaborators Wendy Weatherby and Frank McLaughlin reviving the lost art of the Film Explainer in a brand new HippFest Commission supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, breathing new life into extracts of John Barrymore’s famed version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This new commission will be complemented by a series of immersive, inter-generational sessions staged at community venues across the Falkirk Council district Tickets for all events are available from from February 2015. (Sunday 22nd March). www.hippfest.co.uk or by calling the Hippodrome Rounding off the Festival in spectacular style will be Box Office on 01324 506850. BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Of The Year, fiddle player Shona Mooney with her brand new HippFest commissioned score to the https://twitter.com/HippFestScot Lillian Gish battle of the Scottish clans epic Annie Laurie. Following its World Premiere at the Festival, www.facebook.com/silentcinemafestival
www.hippfest.co.uk
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DEBUT ALBUM - OUT NOW An album intended to show Minor Delilah are more than a bunch of buskers - you should give it a listen! @ https://open.spotify.com/album/1eHjOEialFHS8sNbahAKAm/5yL96ARNM3fvPPgU4Ocabo
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Do you want to volunteer at XpoNorth? Inverness : 10-11 June : www.xponorth.co.uk Full volunteer details @
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/0eafb91283937946995c21d5d/files/Volunteers_Pack2015.pdf
If you have an interest in the creative industries, are studying a related course or just generally want to get involved in a bustling and buzzing event then XpoNorth are looking for a team of volunteers to help run their annual two day festival on the 10 & 11 June in Inverness. This is a great opportunity to learn about and support a live event, meet industry professionals, get experience for your career in the industry, gain work experience for your CV and be part of something that is growing year after year. It’s also a lot of fun! XpoNorth has a number of different areas that you can get involved in and they will endeavour to place you in a role that you are interested in. Have a look through their archive of previous festivals at http://xponorth.co.uk/archive/ and watch the films to get an idea of what it’s all about. The deadline for applications is 5 May and you can read the full volunteer pack and application details on the link above.
www.xponorth.co.uk www.facebook.com/xponorth https://twitter.com/XpoNorth
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www.facebook.com/TheWelRehearsalRoom
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Thornhill prepares for their 3rd festival which includes a Rock School for 11-16 year olds Thornhill (Dumfries and Galloway) : 1-3 May : www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events
Now in its 3rd year Thornhill Music Festival runs from 1 May until the 3 May and once again the 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.
Aysley Lister : www.facebook.com/aynsleylister
TMF committee member Iain Renicks said "Its a great achievement to be able to stage this festival for a third year, we hope that everyone will support the festival as they have in the first two years" .
www.ticketweb.co.uk
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facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fallen-Angels-Club/149553931728736 tickets: www.ticketweb.co.uk
The festival rely's on a formula of acts from the local area and from all over Scotland and the North of England. Amongst the local acts taking part will be Lauren Dalgleish, Bad Reputation, The Stefan, Barstow Bats, Sticks and Stones and Cammy Black. The festival also organises a "Rockschool" event for 11-16 year old hosted by Robert Maitland and some of the top musicians taking part in the festival. Once again this year the festival has been supported primarily by Scottish Hydro Clyde Dumfries and Galloway Community Fund and DGHP.
www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events
www.facebook.com/pages/Thornhill-Music-Festival/487819717906138
www.facebook.com/ Barstow Bats : www.facebook.com/OfficialBarstowBats
photo by Ricky Henderson
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Wickerman Set to Sizzle as The Waterboys and Tom Odell announced for 2015 East Kirkcarswell Farm, Dundrennan : 24-25 July : www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk TICKETS! @ http://wickerman.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12264491/?sktag=12774
Wickerman, one of Scotland’s hottest summer music festivals, has revealed that legendary band The Waterboys and super talented singer songwriter Tom Odell, will be headlining the main Summerisle Stage this July. Also joining the red hot line-up will be Example & DJ Wire.
On Friday 24 July, The Waterboys are poised to deliver an unforgettable performance in what will be their biggest Scottish festival appearance this year. The iconic band will perform classics from their extensive back catalogue alongside tracks from their recently released album ‘Modern Blues’. Acclaimed for their powerful live performances, the seminal band are set to be a definite hit with the UK’s friendliest festival crowd. On Saturday, Ivor Novello and Brit Awards winning artist Tom Odell will bring his distinctive sound and spine tingling vocals to Wickerman’s main stage. His 2013 debut album, ‘Long Way Down’, shot straight to number one,
Tom Odell
featuring hits such as, ‘Can’t Pretend’, ‘Hold Me’ and the gargantuan single ‘Another Love’. Joining them will be the chart topping Example & DJ Wire who promise to deliver an electrifying set. With 25 Top 40 hits, including club favourite ‘Change The Way You Kiss Me’, festival revellers can expect an energetic live performance. 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 with the appointment of Synergy Concerts, one of Scotland’s leading independent promoters. Grainne Braithwaite, Founder of Synergy Concerts, commented: “We are massively excited to announce Wickerman’s 2015 headliners, both The Waterboys and Tom Odell give amazing live performances and it’s this combination of talent and showmanship which we believe will really unite the crowds. Wickerman has built its reputation as a festival which offers a truly eclectic lineup and for this reason we are thrilled to be joining the team. Our aim this year is to book the best emerging and established artists to make Wickerman THE must attend for music lovers. We are really looking forward to announcing a diverse line-up of brilliant acts over the coming months.” www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk https://twitter.com/WickermanFest www.facebook.com/wickermanfestival
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
FEBRUARY
Edinburgh in March 2015.
Glasgow Music & Film Festival
Niel Gow Scottish Fiddle Festival
Glasgow 18 February - 1 March The Glasgow Music and Film Festival is a series of one-off events which combine audio and visuals. Lovingly co-curated by film buffs and music geeks from the Glasgow Film Festival and the Arches, the results range from the entertaining, to the inspirational, to the downright weird. The GMFF is part of the Glasgow Film Festival 2015. For gig info and tickets: www.thearches.co.uk/gigs www.glasgowfilm.org
www.weedubfestival.co.uk
Dunkeld & Birnam 20-22 March The 2015 Niel Gow Festival will be held in the beautiful Perthshire village of Dunkeld & Birnam, home of Niel Gow. The annual festival was established in 2004 to celebrate the life and music of Perthshire's fiddle legend. It is envisaged that through time the festival and other activities will gather enough funds to erect a fitting memorial to Niel Gow in Dunkeld & Birnam. Niel Gow (not Neil Gow) was born in Strathbraan on 22nd March 1727 and grew up in the village of Inver, by Dunkeld.
Inverness Music Festival
www.niel-gow.co.uk
Inverness 21 February - 4 March
Hawick Reivers Festival
Inverness's Music Festival is a competitive event attracting over 1000 entrants to venues throughout the city. Prizes are awarded in a multitude of styles across Vocal, Instrumental, Speech, Gaelic and Scottish disciplines. www.invernessmusicfestival.org/Festival/
Hawick 27-29 March As always music is at the heart of Hawick Reivers Festival and there are a number of new innovations this year and plans are being finalised for an exciting weekend. Email email info@hawickreivers.com for info.
Springfest 2015
www.facebook.com/hawick.reiversfestival.3
Dundee 28 February - 31 March
Montrose Spring Blues Montrose 28 March
Springfest is a festival of music in Dundee. This year’s programme features 18 varied concerts in A ‘Day of Blues’ festival in Montrose. venues ranging from the Caird Hall to Dundee University Chapel throughout the 32-day www.smokieblues.com festival. Friends of the Caird Hall Organ ‘Organathon’ will launch Springfest 2015 on Saturday 28 February and a concert from the North Of The Wall High School of Dundee will bring the festival to a Glasgow close on Tuesday 31 March. 28 March http://dundeespringfest.tumblr.com/ NotW returns in 2015, bigger and better. MORGUL - Glasgow Metal and Rock Society presents North of the Wall a one-day metal festival which returns for a third year of madness bigger and better! The festival's venue is Glasgow's The Classic Grand.
MARCH Fifestock
www.facebook.com/thenorthofthewall
Kinross Through March The Annual Fifestock Music Festival takes place at "Backstage at The Green" Hotel, Kinross, Scotland, KY13 8AS. Latest updates on the website. FIFESTOCK comes but once a year and here it is for 2014! A wide range of genres and artists for you all to experience. Don't leave it too late to book on 01577 863467 www.fifestock.com
Wee Dub Festival Edinburgh 6-8 March
APRIL Knoydart Music Festival 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
The 2015 edition of Wee Dub Festival features giants of UK dancehall culture, top live bands, and hot upcoming talent. For the artist line-up and programme go to the website below. We look forward to welcoming you to another weekend of roots, culture and good vibes in
Counterflows Glasgow 2-5 April
Counterflows Glasgow based festival of contemporary experimental music featuring artists from across the world. The festival is held in April with occasional concerts throughout the year. http://counterflows.com/
Skye Live Skye 3-4 April This Easter we will be bringing you an exclusive festival to Portree. This will take place in the stunning home of the Skye Highland Games. www.skyelive.scot
Northern Nashville Country Music Festival Caithness 3-5 April In 2004 we took a gamble and ran our first ever Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival (NNCCMF), which thankfully was a great success. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength, with country music fans converging on Caithness over Easter Weekend to be part of this 3-day 5-show extravaganza of live country music. This is truly an international event featuring top class acts from the USA, Canada, Europe, Ireland and the U.K. alongside our wealth of local talent and youth bands. www.nncmc.co.uk/2.htm
Glenfarg Folk Feast Glenfarg 10-12 April Ran by Glenfarg Village Folk Club the festival may be small but its stature and longevity are huge to say the least. We pride ourselves on running a friendly event with workshops and competitions to suit all tastes, and the World famous Puff-a -Box competition just has to be seen to be believed! www.glenfargfolkclub.com
Bandstand Beer Fest Nairn 3-12 April Bandstand Beer Festival - largest independent beer festival in the Scottish Highlands. An annual celebration of real ale & live music at Bandstand Bar, Nairn. https://twitter.com/NairnBeerFest
Edinburgh International Harp Festival Edinburgh 10-15 April 2015 The Clarsach Society & Edinburgh International Harp Festival is an annual celebration and gathering of musical talents. Find out more about us at www.clarsachsociety.co.uk The Clarsach Society (Comunn na Clarsaich) encourages interest in the instrument, especially amongst young players, who enjoy its adaptability to solo work, accompaniment or ensemble playing. The Society also presents the Edinburgh International Harp Festival - an
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com annual celebration and gathering of musical talents. Every Spring we bring harpists from across the globe together to rub shoulders with you, the audience. www.harpfestival.co.uk
North Hop Aberdeen Aberdeen 11 April
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
35th Shetland Folk Festival Shetland 30 April -3 May
North Hop Aberdeen, a one-day indoor beer festival taking place at The Lemon Tree, which sold all tickets for the event in less than two The Festival as the UK's most northerly folk weeks, will showcase the very best in Scottish music talent, with stage music acts from all over festival is regarded a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike. Organised the country. by a voluntary committee (and run by an even bigger pool of volunteers) the Festival prides www.northhop.co.uk itself in reaching out to even the most far flung areas of Shetland. Concerts are organised Edinburgh’s Youth throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music ‘Easter’ Gaitherin that the world has to offer. In fact, visiting Edinburgh artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the 13-16 April quantity and quality of local musicians that our remote isles have to offer. The Easter Gaitherin is EYG’s flagship event for 9 – 18 year olds. We book Scotland’s top www.shetlandfolkfestival.com traditional musicians as tutors and run four days of classes in Tynecastle High School. These range from instrumental, to drama, to dance, to technical skills (check below to find out what we’re offering this year). Each day participants will take a main workshop in their first choice Thornhill Music Festival instrument; one in their second choice (which Dumfriesshire can be something like singing, art, drama or a 1-3 May second instrument); and a third choice.
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. www.obanfestival.org
Isle of Bute Jazz Festival Isle of Bute 1-4 May 2015 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.butejazz.com
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 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 Now in its 3rd year Thornhill Music Festival Venue” at the 2012 Scottish Event Awards. Brew brings a rich and diverse programme of music to at the Bog is just the latest in festivals Bogbain the village including acclaimed Blues artist is hosting and the fabulous surroundings of this Aynsley Lister. The weekend boasts a cross old farm will ensure Brew at the Bog 2015 will go section of music from Country Rock and Blues, down in history. Ska, Rock, Indie, Blues funk, Eclectic Americana as well as singer songwriters. The festival also www.brewatthebog.com organises a "Rockschool" event for 11-16 year olds.
MAY
www.eyg.org.uk
St Boswells Americana Festival Scottish Borders 18 April
St Boswells Live! presents ….. St Boswells Americana Festival featuring RED DAWG + DAN www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events WALSH plus workshops and other special events. www.facebook.com/pages/Thornhill-Music-Festival/487819717906138 www.stboswellslive.com
Northern Streams Edinburgh 24-25 April 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 Edinburgh’s TradFest kick starts the summer
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 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
Burns an' a' That! Ayr 2-3 May
The Burns an' a' that! Festival is an annual tribute to Scotland's internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns. A new venue for 2015 at Rozelle Park, Ayr, more information coming soon! www.burnsfestival.com
Moniave Folk Festival Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, 8-10 May The Moniave Folk Festival has something for everyone, Great music, Piping competitions, Open stages, children’s events and concerts. Workshops. Come along for a wonderful family weekend. www.moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk
Psychedelic Forest Disco Kelburn 9 May
The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Kelburn’s infamous season-opener – the wild and Festival has developed into one of Scotland’s major cultural festivals, and takes place annually groovy feast for all the senses that is The Psychedelic Forest Disco – returns on Saturday in Oban, Scotland. The event has developed to 9th May. Once again we will feature a top line-up
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com of acts across 2 soundsystems alongside family atmosphere where old friendships are innumerable hidden treats and surprises, quality rekindled and new friendships formed through beer, cider and cocktails, camping and of course the mutual love of the music. your favourite woodland shenanigans! www.skyemusic.co.uk/festival.asp www.kelburngardenparty.com/other-events/
Banchory Festival of Scottish Music
Orkney Folk Festival Orkney 21-24 May
Banchory 9 May
Here we are folks – Orkney Folk Festival number 33! Once again we have some big names coming north to join in the fun in May, and from the A celebration of Scottish traditional music hosted ceilidh bands to the almost indie strand, we have by the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, brought together a broad mix of artists that we with the emphasis on fiddle music in all its hope appeals to everyone’s interpretation of the forms. increasingly expansive folk genre. As ever, our local traditions and musicians – both established www.banchoryfiddlers.co.uk and emerging – will be centre stage alongside those visiting the festival.
Scribblers Picnic Stirling 10 May
The Scribbler’s Picnic is a charity that was set up in 2001 to raise money for five cancer charities – CHAS, Strathcarron Hospice, Maggie’s Centre, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Care. This outdoor event is held at the Stirling Rugby Club with each year getting better and better. Four stages of music and a charity fete make it a fun day for all the family. The unique music event, which is run entirely by volunteers, will feature hundreds of musicians covering a broad array of music across the day in the grounds of Stirling Rugby Club. It run's under the tagline 'Musicians Helping the Fight Against Cancer' and is run in association with Stirling and Bridge of Allan Round Table. Thousands are expected to flock to Bridgehaugh for the event which runs from 12noon to 8pm. www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk
Imaginate Edinburgh 11-17 May
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Kirkcudbright 21-24 May If you prefer a bigger festival in a smaller pot you are a Knockengorrocher! Join us beside the glittering Water of Deugh beneath the broad 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
Scotland's international festival of performing arts for children and young people www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/
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 FifeSing with classical music, opera, jazz, rock, folk and Collessie, Fife visual art staged mainly in Perth Concert Hall. 15-17 May The Box Office opens on 30th March. Festival Friends can book from 23rd March only £10 to This unique event brings together some of join. We are delighted to announce that The Scotland's finest exponents of traditional singing Proclaimers will headline the Festival on for a weekend of old songs and bothy ballads in Saturday 23 May. concerts and singarounds in the rural surroundings of the Fife Farm Park. The weekend www.perthfestival.co.uk also includes workshops/talks on topics related to traditional song and culture.
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
dance, theatre, literary, children’s events, plus the visual arts and films. Events take place in a range of venues throughout the region, from large to small, formal to informal, urban to rural. www.dgartsfestival.org.uk
Reivers Rock and Blues Festival 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 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 The Buchan Heritage Festival at Strichen is one of the finest places to appreciate our rich tradition of music, song, verse, drama and story, and, at the same time, enjoy listening to, or using, the broad 'Doric' language which is still very much alive here in the North East, and enjoy a friendly family atmosphere where contestants have come from a' the airt's and pairt's o' Scotland and sometimes beyond. 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 Skye Accordion 21-31 May of people fond of music and fun. And so in May 1993 the first Fling happened. Since then the & Fiddle Festival Our 9-day festival has taken place since 1979. Fling has gone from strength to strength. Skye The founding aim was to bring international Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the 21-23 May 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 The annual Isle of Skye Accordion and Fiddle since then this region has produced some of its have ranged from an open stage for local young Festival just goes from strength to strength. The own talent of international standing and we’re musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and festival has built up a superb reputation for the proud to also be able to present these artistes fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club quality and quantity of music, fine venues and from time to time. We offer a wide range of race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan hospitality and most of all a friendly and happy events: music – including classical, jazz and folk, Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, www.springthyme.co.uk/fifesing
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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 featuring over the years everything from ghost walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama Group, master classes in everything from fiddling or mandolins to harmony singing or bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night.
Scottish Pipe Band Championship
11-14 June
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.
Set in the stunning Raehill Meadows of Dumfries 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.
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.rspba.org
www.facebook.com/theedenfestival
JUNE
Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival
www.theelectricfrog.co.uk
Glasgow 5-28 June
www.dunblanefling.com
Riverside Festival Glasgow 29-30 May
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 workshops, concerts, ceilidh and lively sessions. "Traditionally......the best!" 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
Portsoy Folk Festival : “The 6th Haal” Portsoy 29-31 May A weekend of songs, tunes, stories, poetry, dance, workshops and sessions to be held in and around Portsoy.
Bathgate 30 May
Glasgow West End Festival
Kirkcudbright 11-15 June
The 18th annual festival in this unique small Scottish town will endeavour to maintain the high musical standards set by previous festivals. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy top class The West End Festival (WEF) is Glasgow’s largest and highly professional artistes, some on a first cultural event and every June takes over the time visit, as well as some old favourites, imaginations of participants and visitors in the ensuring that the festival caters for jazz lovers of west end of Glasgow. In 2015 it celebrates its all ages who appreciate quality as well as variety 20th year. Over 100 Glasgow-based in their entertainment. organisations, arts groups and local and international artists deliver a mixture of activities www.kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk and projects, overseen by a small festival team. The WEF brings all of these activities together in Solas Festival the festival programme and includes events, exhibitions, performances, talks, tours, The Bield at Blackruthven workshops and screenings, and many are free of 19-21 June charge to allow accessibility. In what promises to be a exciting year in the www.westendfestival.co.uk spotlight for Scotland, Solas will entertain you with a mixing pot of art, music, dance and comedy whilst covering everything from jazz to Meadows Festival ceilidh dancing, and hip hop to slow food. Our Edinburgh brilliant variety of acts and friendly atmosphere 6-7 June make it a great destination for families. Under12s go free. The festival aims to create a Edinburgh's free volunteer-run music & generous, hospitable space in Scotland where community festival - The Edinburgh Meadows the arts can be performed and enjoyed by all. Festival features live music, merchandise, stalls, The programme also makes space for kids’ and adults’ activities and loads more. The challenging debate with activists, writers and first Meadows Festival took place in 1974 and thinkers from across the political, cultural and since then the Festival has been an annual religious spectrum. Solas Festival offers a feature of the calendar. In 2013 over 20,000 creative and entertaining programme for people attended across the two days of the festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. Festival, so it’s a busy and fun-filled couple of days! There will be two stages at the 2014 www.solasfestival.co.uk Meadows Festival: Red Dog Music Stage and Fortune Futures Stage www.meadowsfestival.org/live-music/
XpoNorth
Riverside Rock Jedburgh 20 June
Riverside Rock 2015 is set to be another musical extravaganza with something for everyone www.bothyfolk.org young and old.... Family entertainment at JedForest RFC, Riverside Park in association with XpoNorth is Scotland's leading Creative Cash for Kids. There will be children's Kintyre Songwriter's Industries festival. Formerly known as goNORTH, entertainment of all kinds combined with Rock it takes place every June in the Highland capital and Traditional Bands from across the borders Festival of Inverness over two vibrant days and nights. and further afield. Riverside Rock must not be Campbeltown By day, XpoNorth hosts around 25 panels and missed, the Scottish Borders very own music 29-31 May workshops featuring leading industry players in festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh. Bring along the fields of fashion and craft, publishing, screen a picnic (alcohol not permitted) and come and The Kintyre Songwriters Festival is a music and broadcast and music. By night, it offers an support this local event and help raise cash for festival which aims to showcase and promote the authentic blend of Highland hospitality in the our chosen charity “Cash For Kids” and other song writing and musical talent in Kintyre. It also form of networking events, coupled with a free sports organisations around the Scottish aims to encourage a new generation of local new music showcase at various venues across Borders. Tickets on sale now at songwriters and musicians, by means of Inverness city centre. www.riversiderock.co.uk donations to local musical groups/organisations and the presentation of an annual memorial www.xponorth.co.uk www.riversiderock.co.uk quaiche at Campbeltown Grammar School for original folk song. www.kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk
Inverness 10-11 June
Eden Festival Raehills Meadows
Fete de la Musique
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Edinburgh 21 June
www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
Following its launch on 21 June 1982, La Fête de la Musique is now celebrated in France every year on this date. This popular international musical event now takes place in more than 100 countries worldwide. The Institut Français d’Ecosse has celebrated La Fête de la Musique in Edinburgh each year since it was started. Check the Events page at www.ifecosse.org.uk
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.fetedelamusique.culture.fr
www.tinthepark.com
Glasgow Jazz Festival
Hebridean Celtic Festival
Glasgow 24–28 June
Hebrides 15-18 July
Fantastic four-day festival set against the rich cultural backdrop of the Outer Hebrides, featuring top quality music from around the Celtic nations and beyond. Stornoway and throughout Lewis and Harris. The Hebridean Celtic Festival was voted 'Best Event or Festival' www.jazzfest.co.uk at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards last year. This year’s 20th HebCelt aims to build The East Neuk Festival on a successful 2014 event which staged its Fife biggest ever programme of 40 acts, headlined by 27 June -5 July Big Country, Levellers and Donnie Munro. A huge influx of music fans from overseas made up the The award-winning and critically-acclaimed East estimated 14,000 strong audience which proved Neuk Festival presents world-class arts events in a major economic boost for the islands. Get your the East Neuk of Fife. The heart of the Festival is tickets quickly at www.hebceltfest.com/booking classical chamber music, but we also present world, jazz, folk and electronica. In addition to www.hebceltfest.com our musical celebrations, we’ve commissioned films, exhibitions, art installations and literature Tiree Music Festival events as well as guided walks. Isle of Tiree 17-19 July www.eastneukfestival.com This is the 29th year of the festival, and once again we hope that this year’s line up offers something for everyone! Acts to be announced soon!
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 Newcastleton Traditional of Tiree. TMF is more than just attending a music festival – it is an island adventure. From the Music Festival stunning sail or flight to the island of Tiree, Scottish Borders camping next to the white sands of Crossapol 3-5 July Bay or surfing at Balevullin beach, TMF is an experience very few festivals in the world could The Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival is compete with. Get your tickets quick, the early probably the longest continuously running music birds sold out in hours - http:// festival in Scotland. Founded in 1970, the tireemusicfestival.co.uk/ticket-prices festival revolves around a series of competitions (mainly on Saturday), loosely linked by dances, www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk organised ceilidhs and singarounds on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Noncombatants create ad-hoc sessions in all possible ButeFest locations and visitors are more than welcome at The Isle of Bute every venue. One of the most popular events is 17-19 July the Grand Winners' Concert on Saturday night, featuring the best of the day's competitors A brand new three day festival of music, food interspersed with passing musicians who failed and fun. This accessible and hugely friendly to escape the press-gang! family festival all takes places a mere thirty-five miles as the crow flies from Glasgow. Butefest www.newcastleton.com has endeavoured to compile a richly varied and superb line-up that includes both the contemporary and the classic of the music world Stonehaven Folk Festival and runs that gamut from rock to roots and folk 9-12 July to dance. Stonehaven www.butefest.co.uk Stonehaven Folk Festival - home of good music and song. Some of the best Traditional and Contemporary Folk music with Concerts, Ceilidh, Edinburgh International Sessions, Singarounds, Workshops and the Jazz & Blues Festival famous Aqua Ceilidh and World Paper’n’Comb Edinburgh Championships. Come and join the fun! 17-26 July
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 the ‘Dance Lab' and ‘Traditional Music School', where up and coming artists can learn from professional artists. www.aiyf.org
PKD Festival Dalgety Bay 25 July
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com The venue has changed to The Dalgety Bay Sports centre. The bigger venue allows for several additions for PKD 2015. These will include fairground rides such as Dodgems, waltzers, tea cups for the kids and more. It will also see the addition of a second stage allowing for more bands and less time between band changeovers. There will be more bike exhibitors than ever before and the number of community stalls will be more than doubled. This year event also sees a change of charity partner. All money raised from the event will be going to Kingdom Kids, a children’s charity run by Kingdom FM benefitting sick and underprivileged kids in Fife and Poppy Scotland. www.pkdfestival.com
Prestfest
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 the ‘Dance Lab' and ‘Traditional Music School', where up and coming artists can learn from professional artists. www.aiyf.org
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.
Tartan Heart ‘Belladrum’ Festival
www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk
Beauly 6-8 August
Lockerbie 22 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 Festival is run by enlisting financial support from all the crazy variety that makes it Scotland’s local pubs, cafes, restaurants,,hotels,shops and premier boutique festival. ''Belladrum - quite other business services throughout the town. All simply, it’s what everyday life should be like, if types of music at various venues throughout the only everyday life didn't get in the way.'' - Clare Damdoaran, eFestivals town. www.prestfest.co.uk
www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
Speyfest
MugStock Festival
Rockerbie 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.
Moray 31 July - 2 August
Mudock 7-9 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 Stomps, with some of the biggest names from the world of traditional and contemporary Celtic music and all in the beautiful village of Fochabers on the banks of the River Spey. It just can't get any better than that! Or can it?
MugStock: A Festival of Music and Merriment will take place just north of Glasgow in Mugdock www.summerislesfestival.com Country Park www.facebook.com/Mugstock
Party at The Palace
Go-Rock Fest Gourock 29 August
Linlithgow 8-9 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 www.speyfest.com Party at The Palace returns for a second ride from Glasgow, the pretty coastal town of celebration. In August 2014 Scottish music stars Gourock with its intimate venues and stunning Southern Fried performed against the magnificent backdrop of views is the perfect location for our wee festival. Linlithgow Palace & the Peel, showcasing some Perth With genres ranging from solo acoustic and folk of the nation's finest music. Scots rock favourites through to opera, rock and metal, you're 31 July - 2 August Simple Minds and Deacon Blue headlined the 2- guaranteed to find something you enjoy. Goday event which also featured performances Southern Fried covers a wide range of musical Rock is part of Music on the Brain. from Hue and Cry, Horse, The Silencers, Attic styles including country, blues, bluegrass, gospel, soul, songwriters, alt.country and more. Lights, The Bluebells and many more. Watch our www.facebook.com/gorock.music Plus authentic southern and soul food, free gigs, website for 2015 Party at the Palace news! latenight performances and workshops. - See Electric Fields more at: http://www.horsecross.co.uk/southern- www.partyatthepalace.co.uk Drumlanrig Castle fried-festival/#sthash.IVJKoHFq.dpuf 29 August Innerleithen Music Festival www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk Scottish Borders Nestling in the beautiful surroundings of 21-23 August Drumlanrig Castle, south west Scotland. We’ve been working really hard to top last year and A hugely enjoyable weekend of traditional music we’re pretty excited about this summer, as well in this small Borders town, beautifully situated as having some brand new developments amongst rolling hills by the River Tweed. Aberdeen International Memorable concerts feature some of the biggest www.facebook.com/electricfieldsfestival names in Celtic music alongside the best of the Youth Festival local talent and the weekend is rounded off with Aberdeen a concert presenting wonderful singers of 24 July - 1 August traditional song. Complementing the concerts are an open stage, a singaround and the Over the years AIYF has hosted more than legendary informal music sessions in local Nairn Book and 27,500 young people from around the globe, hostelries and the Union Club. making it one of the biggest and most successful Arts Festival gatherings of youth talent held anywhere in the www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org Nairn world. AIYF now produces over 80 performances 1-6 September in 9 days of top class entertainment across 50 Doune The Rabbit Hole venues in the North-east of Scotland. It's not all A unique celebration of literature, drama, music Cardross, nr Stirling
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com and art in the Highlands of Scotland. There will be music for all tastes.
Jura 25-27 September
Canada to perform roots music from blues to rockabilly.
https://nairnfestival.co.uk/
The Isle of Jura Musical Festival is a wellestablished favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene, enjoy a weekend packed with fantastic performances, stimulating workshops, spontaneous sessions and great craic. To guarantee you don’t miss out, you can prepurchase your tickets online now.
www.glasgowamericana.com
100 Bands On The Border Galashiels 4-6 September
sound North East Scotland 22 October - 9 November
100 Bands On The Border will be a music festival held in venues and stages in Galashiels town www.juramusicfestival.com centre. The idea behind this is to bring the best up and coming new bands and musicians from Dunbar Traditional all over the UK to the Scottish Borders to showcase their talents. Contact Bill Jeffrey Music Festival william.jeffrey1@btopenworld.com Dunbar 25-27 September weblink below ....
sound is driven by the passion to make new music more accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It embraces a network of local organisations to produce a varied programme of events exploring new music. The festival brings together a large range of different genres of music to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and encourage people to discover new sounds and widen their musical horizons.
The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival continues to flourish since it began in 1988. Set in the Blas Festival historic seaside town of Dunbar, the Festival is Highlands committed to showcasing local and young talent 4-12 September alongside well established and internationally known artists. Song, music, pipes & drums, Blas Festival is the Highlands' premier Gaelic and children's workshop, informal tunes and traditional music festival. Blas takes place in sessions, concerts, ceilidhs and open air venues across the Highlands and includes an performances are the traditional hallmarks of the eclectic line-up of local, national and annual September event. The Festival caters for international artistes. a wide range of musical tastes. Initially the focus was on traditional Scottish and Irish music www.blas-festival.com but in recent years this has broadened to include jazz, blues, Appalachian, country, bluegrass and skiffle. Best of the West Festival
www.sound-scotland.co.uk
www.facebook.com/pages/JMP3-Jeffrey-Music-Promotions/745042952180452
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
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.
OCTOBER The Spree
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
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.thespree.co.uk
JANUARY 2016
Ullapool Guitar Festival
Celtic Connections
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 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loopallu Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Ullapool Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s 25-26 September 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 West coast fishing village of Ullapool and doubles mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting the population of the village for the weekend. As beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or 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 Literally Literary tent in association with Ullapool Book Festival. All this, as well as the usual warm Glasgow Americana Festival Ullapool welcome. Glasgow 7-11 October www.loopallu.co.uk
Isle of Jura Music Festival
Perthshire Amber The Dougie MacLean Festival
Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana brings musicians from as far afield as Texas and
Glasgow 14-31 January Celtic Connections 2016 comprises a wealth of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, workshops, free events and late night sessions taking place over 18 days across various venues in Glasgow. www.celticconnections.com
MARCH 2016 MV Festival Aviemore Returning in 2016 It’s a weekend of comedy, music and snowsport thrills on the hills in and around Aviemore. 2016 tickets will soon be available from www. ukgigsonline.com Proceeds from the festival go to the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Disability Snowsport UK. www.mvfestival.com
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