Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Brighde Chaimbeul
(pictured) will play the HebCelt 'Lews Castle College UHI Acoustic Stage' this year - see page 12 www.hebceltfest.com www.brichaimbeul.com
INSIDE: Oban Live :: Kelburn Garden Party :: Northern Roots :: Glasgow Trombone Weekend :: Arran Folk :: HebCelt :: Belladrum :: Tiree Music Festival :: Celtic Connections .... PLUS our Scottish music festival listings
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www.killinmusicfestival.com facebook @ www.facebook.com/killinmusicfest tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/killin-music-festival-17-tickets-26140676467
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Toploader and Hue And Cry to bring new material to Oban Live this June Buy tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oban-live-2017-tickets-29072525707
Noughties household name Toploader and 80s legends Hue And Cry will headline this year’s Oban Live on June 2 and 3.
of Scotland since they headlined Tiree Music Festival in 2012, a gig that saw Skerryvore Piper Martin Gillespie join them on stage for a bagpipe solo during Dancing in the Moonlight.
Meanwhile, Pat and Greg Kane of Hue And Cry are all set to headline Oban Live as an eight piece full band on Saturday June 3. The duo, who hail from Coatbridge near The two acts will top an already Glasgow, made a huge impact in impressive bill at Argyll’s largest the late 80s with massive hit singles live music event at Mossfield including Labour of Love and Stadium, Oban, known locally as albums Seduced and Abandoned the ‘wee bay’. The event attracted 7,800 visitors last year to the rural and Remote. Their Oban Live gig area in the west coast of Scotland. will showcase tracks from their new Pocketful of Stones album, due for Friday’s headliners, Toploader, will release this year. To date, Hue And perform tracks from their highly Cry have sold in excess of two anticipated 4th album Seeing Stars, million records worldwide. released May 12. Their new single Martin Gillespie from the Oban Live ‘Roll With The Punches’ was team and piper for Skerryvore said: premiered on Graham Norton’s “We are thrilled that these two Radio 2 show last weekend, iconic bands have agreed to join us Saturday February 25. Classics, at Oban Live in June and we are such as their global hit Dancing in excited to hear their new material the Moonlight from 2000, are also as well as performances of their set to be highlights on the night. classic songs. It will be great to see Their visit to Oban will be the band’s second trip to the west coast the Toploader lads again after
joining them on stage on Tiree back “We are delighted to again be in 2012 - perhaps something we supporting Oban Live through our can do again in June!” National Funding Programme. The addition of household names; The Oban Live 2017 line-up also Toploader and Hue And Cry to the includes Skerryvore, Skipinnish, We festival’s already impressive line-up Banjo 3, Trail West, Manran, Tide will no doubt attract visitors to the Lines, Admiral Fallow, Roddy Hart town from the local area and further and the Lonesome Fire, Ceol an Aire afield.” & the Argyll Ceilidh Trail and Oban High School Pipe Band. Special “It is also fitting in Scotland’s Year guests still to be announced. of History, Heritage and Archaeology to see a wealth of This year’s festival is supported by home-grown trad music acts on the EventScotland, and is part of bill, showcasing Scotland’s rich Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage cultural heritage.” and Archaeology. Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said:
www.obanlive.com
www.facebook.com/obanlive https://twitter.com/OBANLIVE
www.scottishmusiccentre.com/services/audio-services/
info@scottishmusiccentre.com
web @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com fb @ www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre plus other links @ www.musicplus.org.uk + www.hittheroad.org.uk
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www.facebook.com/orkneyfolkfestival
https://twitter.com/OrkneyFolkFest
web @ www.tracscotland.org/tradfest fb @ www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh
www.visitscotland.com
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com/patronage
www.obanlive.com
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fb @ www.facebook.com/obanlive tweet @ https://twitter.com/OBANLIVE
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Kelburn Garden Party launches its 2017 Festival Programme Kelburn Castle :: 30 June - 3 July :: www.kelburngardenparty.com Buy tickets @ www.kelburngardenparty.com/tickets/
‘3 days & nights of Music, Art, and Adventure in a fairytale setting’ The Kelburn Garden Party Festival, held at Kelburn Castle, Nr. Fairlie, KA29 0BE, builds on its reputation, hand crafted and honed over the last eight years, as one of the most unique and exceptional festivals in the UK. Their 2017 line-up demonstrates as strong an appreciation for underground club culture and rock, as for folk, jazz, electronica and world music, tying together programming strands deliberately traditional and historical with the contemporary and forward looking. This years eclectic programme includes ..... Mr Scruff // Numbers ft. Optimo, Spencer & Jayda G // Hot 8 Brass Band // Prince Fatty & Horseman / Om Unit / Addison Groove / Flamingods / Mungo’s Hi Fi & Charlie P / Mouse Outfit ft. Jehst / KOG & The Zongo Brigade / Be Charlotte / Man of Moon / She Drew The Gun / Ezra Collective / Jamie & Shoony / Colonel Mustard & Dijon 5 / Rise Kagona & The Jit Jive Band / Jinx In Dub / Bombskare / Pronto Mama Situated in the grounds of the 800 year old Kelburn Castle, home of the unique and internationally renowned Castle Graffiti Project, the festival is curated and designed as a nonstop feast for the senses. Kelburn Garden Party is an audacious, thrilling cultural safari over three days encompassing a multi-genre musical programme, electronic performances and DJs, art installations, carnival entertainment, creative workshops, stimulating children's events and adventurous hikes through the astounding countryside. The festival site itself, an ancient natural glen and surrounding formal gardens, contains some truly magical woodlands and ancient forestry, forming a backdrop that plays an equal part in informing how the event is curated. The festival team - in co-operation with the castle and land owners - have spent many years carefully considering how the area around the Castle is populated with site specific artworks, installation-strewn adventures, nomadic musical
performances and physical theatre that are as much a key to the event as the main musical programme.
most stunning aspects of the Kelburn Castle site is the Kel Burn itself. In the space of just over half a mile, the Kel Burn, which has helped to form the glen over thousands of years, rises on The fruits of this considered approach; whether the moors 800 feet above the castle and drops an acoustic jazz ensemble or a choir in the dramatically, by way of many waterfalls and walled garden, an old school acid house rave at deep gorges, to the sea. The glen is a wealth of the Beech Plateau, The Secret Forest Project (a wild flowers and ferns, shrubs and trees ( it living theatre installation in a Labyrinth-like contains three of Scotland’s 100 most important children’s maze) a fine dining restaurant deep in trees), is partly cultivated but predominantly the woods serving 6 people at time, the famous wild, and includes rugged trails which criss-cross "magical mystery tours" or sailing forth on the the burn. Waverly Steamer afterparty… all these highlights combine to provide festival-goer of any age with The Castle Graffiti Project: The project a quite remarkable, enriching and unforgettable celebrates its 10 Anniversary in 2017. In 2007, experience. following the advice of his children David and Alice, Lord Glasgow Patric Boyle invited four of The Kelburn Garden Festival scale is that of an the world's leading graffiti artists from Brazil, intimate, boutique style event, with a very working alongside Scottish talent, to create a dedicated following of intrepid festival goers unique burst of colour to the façade and turret. from all over the UK. The festival is free from Historic Scotland granted permission to keep the corporate interference, and is brought to life by mural as a permanent feature of the building. the tireless efforts of the organisers, volunteers, Significantly, in 2011 the author Tristran Manco performers, as well as the co-operation and selected the 10 best street art projects in the support of the Earl of Glasgow’s family. world for The Guardian, including the Graffiti Kelburn Castle is the seat of the Earl of Glasgow, Castle project alongside internationally and was originally built in the thirteenth century. significant works by Keith Haring and Banksy. It is one of the oldest castles in Scotland and www.kelburngardenparty.com has been continuously inhabited by the same www.facebook.com/kelburnarts family for longer than any other. One of the www.twitter.com/kelburnparties
Bombskare :: www.facebook.com/pg/bombskare photo by Jakub Iwanicki / www.jiwanicki.com
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Northern Roots Festival returns and reveals the first wave of performers for 2017 as early bird tickets sell out! Inverness :: 23-24 June :: www.northernrootsfestival.com Buy tickets @ www.skiddle.com/festivals/northern-roots-festival/
Justin Currie (Del Amitri), Be Charlotte, Lau, Pronto Mama, Rab Noakes and much more!
Justin Currie, One of Scotland’s finest songwriters has been announced as the headline mainstage act for the Northern Roots Music Festival, to be held at Bogbain Farm Inverness on 23-24 June.
The voice of Del Amitri, who had five top 10 UK albums over their career and numerous hit singles including “Nothing Ever Happens”, and “Always the last to know”, will be bringing his band the Pallbearers to Inverness. He’ll be joined by some of Scotland’s most creative talents at the festival, including a 2nd stage headliner, up-and-coming Electronic artist Be Charlotte. Also added are Pronto Mama and the Elephant Sessions, joining more established acts such as the multi award winning Lau and the iconic Rab Noakes, celebrating his 50th year as a musician. The line-up, so far… Justin Currie & The Pallbearers : Lau : Elephant Sessions : Be Charlotte : Rab Noakes : Tidelines : Pronto Mama : Rachel Sermanni : The Lorelei : Andy Gunn Band : Adam Holmes & The Embers : Viper Swing : Schnarff Schnarff : Dr Wook : Bloodlines : The Vegan Leather : Quick : Iain Mclaughlin & The Outsiders : Noah Noah : Skjør : Indigo Velvet : Wuh Oh : Boohoohoo : Kvasir
Be Charlotte :: www.iambecharlotte.com
Northern Roots festival was started by Bruce MacGregor in 2009 to highlight upcoming folk and roots artists but has developed to showcase the best talents in Scottish music. Bruce said: “It’s a festival that prides itself in booking brilliant acts. I’m lucky in my profession as a musician and a radio presenter to meet and hear so many superb musicians and this is our chance to get them on our very own festival. It’s really a festival for music lovers – there’s no side-shows or gimmicks – its music, music, music, all the way. We’re not interested in going mainstream; we’ve got everything from electronica to gypsy jazz, we’re just keen to promote the best Scotland has. Scottish music in all its forms has never been so vibrant and creative” Tickets: Northern Roots Festival tickets are now available from £65 (full adult weekend) on the link above..
www.northernrootsfestival.com www.twitter.com/nr_festival
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www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
web @ www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com fb @ www.facebook.com/Ullapoolguitarfestival
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www.riversiderock.co.uk fb @ www.facebook.com/RiverSideRockJedburgh tweet @ https://twitter.com/_RiverSideRock
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http://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/ fb @ www.facebook.com/TireeMusicFestival tweet @ https://twitter.com/TireeMusicFest
www.hebceltfest.com
early bird tickets @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/ fb @ www.facebook.com/HebCelt
web @ https://mairicampbell.scot/pulse/ fb @ www.facebook.com/MairiCampbellOfficial
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Slide in to Glasgow Trombone Weekend -
Christian Lindberg and Mnozil Brass among artists performing in the city
the mns collection ….
Glasgow :: 22-25 June :: www.rcs.ac.uk/glasgowtromboneweekend Buy tickets @ www.rcs.ac.uk/glasgowtromboneweekend
Glasgow is to play host to leading brass virtuosi as international performers including Christian Lindberg and Mnozil Brass descend on the city for the Glasgow Trombone Weekend.
Both events are preceded by Pre-Concerts in City Halls’ Recital Rooms, featuring short informal performances by students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. World-renowned brass septet Mnozil Brass returns to Scotland with its unique brand of virtuosity and humour on Saturday, 24 June. Cirque will showcase the ensemble’s reputation for stunning playing, improvisations and brilliant on-stage choreography in the plush surroundings of City Halls.
Trombone players will have the opportunity to pit their wits against each other during a day of British Trombone Society competitions in the Royal Swedish trombone soloist Lindberg will team up with Conservatoire’s Stevenson Hall on Saturday, 24 June. the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) for The following day, the institution plays host to the the prestigious festival, which also features British Trombone Society Trombone Day, featuring competitions and masterclasses with the British clinics, concerts, workshops and exhibition stands. Trombone Society in the Royal Conservatoire of Liam Kirkman, president of the British Trombone Scotland. Society, said: “June is shaping up to be an exciting The events, which run from 22-25 June, will take month, as trombone players from far and wide meet place in City Halls and the Royal Conservatoire, with in Glasgow for its Trombone Weekend. students and staff from the institution among those “With so many terrific concerts, workshops and taking part. competitions to enjoy, I would encourage players of Martyn Brabbins will lead the BBC Scottish Symphony all levels of experience and ability to come along and Orchestra, Christian Lindberg and BBC SSO principal enjoy this fantastic spectacle showcasing superstars trombone player Simon Johnson in a concert from the brass and trombone world.” featuring Sandström’s Echoes of Eternity, for two Tickets for the events are on sale now, with trombones and orchestra, and Beethoven’s Fifth attendees at the concerts in City Halls entitled to Symphony on Thursday, 22 June. multi-buy discounts. The following evening, Brabbins and the BBC SSO return to City Halls with Lindberg and Jörgen van www.rcs.ac.uk/glasgowtromboneweekend Rijen, principal trombone player of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, where the www.rcs.ac.uk programme will include Lindberg’s The Waves of www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso Wollongong and the Aho Trombone Concerto.
BBC SSO principal trombone player Simon Johnson
Read the three MNS digital publications from links at .. www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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Arran Folk Festival line-up announced Buy tickets @ http://www.arranevents.com/470
The 23rd Arran Folk Festival line up is now on-line and tickets are available to purchase! This year, I think we’ve put together the best line-up so far with, once again, an impressive array of renowned musicians.
all over Arran. We are delighted to host their Following on from last year’s format, at this reunion at this year's Festival. Their blend of year’s Festival we are offering evening concerts catchy tunes and good humour is sure to set the in Brodick Hall on Friday & Saturday. Open mood for a great evening's entertainment. Sessions (hosted by Uncle Keith) will take place Saturday night (10 June) kicks off with a set at The Douglas Hotel on Friday, Saturday & from Rab Noakes who is a name to be Sunday afternoon - the sessions all offer free reckoned with in the world of Scottish music. entry and all are welcome (either just to listen 2017 marks Rab's 50th year as a professional or bring an instrument and join in!). The Sunday musician. It also sees him turn 70 and tonight's afternoon session includes a mini-concert show is part of his 70/50 tour to celebrate this featuring Uncle Keith's pick of the weekends milestone. An accomplished singer-songwritier best session performers. with a lifelong interest in popular song and folk We are offering an Early-Bird 2-Day Festival music. As well as opening the final night of this Pass at a reduced rate until 1 May. So visit the year's Festival, we are delighted that Rab will above link soon to make sure you don’t miss out also be hosting an illustrative songwriting workshop on Sunday.
www.arranevents.com
Bring the concert to a close we have The https://twitter.com/arranfolkfest Tannahill Weavers who are one of Scotland's www.facebook.com/arranfolkfestival On the opening night, Friday 9 June, Top Floor premier traditional bands. With a repertoire of songs and tunes spanning the centuries and Taivers are a young and fresh Glasgow based capturing everything from slow ballads to footband performing traditional and contemporary stompin' jigs and reels, The Tannahill Weavers Scottish songs and tunes. Coming from Scotland, England and Ireland, Top Floor Taivers are widely regarded as some of the finest cultural ambassadors for Scotland's rich Celtic combine stunning vocals with piano, fiddle and heritage. Still featuring founding members Roy clarsach to create unique arrangements of traditional folk songs and tunes as well as their Gullane (vocals and guitar) and Phil Smilie (flute, whistles, bodhran, vocals), the line-up is own compositions. completed by John Martin (fiddle and vocals) Organisers are delighted to welcome back Jenn and most recent recruit Lorne MacDougall Butterworth and Laura-Beth Salter who have (bagpipes, small pipes and whistles). Lauded been active in the UK folk music scene for a everywhere they go, we are sure tonight's number of years and are no strangers to the headline set will be one to remember. Arran Folk Festival having previously performed here in 2014. Hailing from Dumfries & Galloway, There are two workshops on offer this Jenn moved to Glasgow in 2000 and since then year – a fiddle workshop with Gráinne Brady (of Top Floor Taivers fame) on Saturday 10th has been in high demand as a guitarist and June, and is suitable for all abilities and ages, singer. Laura-Beth is a mandolin player, originally from Lincolnshire, whose playing style and we are also very fortunate that Rab Noakes will be running an illustrative songwriting includes a strong bluegrass/ Americana workshop on Sunday 11th June – a rare influence. To complete the line-up on the first night we have Mike and Stef. This infamous duo opportunity not to be missed. Tickets for both workshops and further information can be spent a couple of decades playing their distinctive and often original music to audiences purchased from our website – follow the link below.
fb@ www.facebook.com/Aylee-1416060515353235/ tweet @ https://twitter.com/ThisIsAylee
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University Hits Right Note With HebCelt Acoustic Stage Stornoway :: 19-22 July :: www.hebceltfest.com Buy tickets @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/
The award-winning Hebridean Celtic Festival is strengthening its cultural and artistic links with the islands community in a collaboration with the local university. Lews Castle College UHI in Stornoway, which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, is sponsoring the festival’s acoustic stage in a first for the institution.
Fiddle player Ryan Young is one of a new wave of traditional musicians who won the prestigious Scot Trad Music Award in 2016 for 'Up and Coming Artist of the Year'. Having gained a firstclass honours degree in Scottish Music from the Royal Conservatoire, he has now completed his Master’s in Music. He has twice been nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, has picked up a Danny Kyle award winner at Celtic Connections and was a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2015 and 2016. Ryan recently recorded his debut album with triple-Grammy award-winning producer Jesse Lewis and it will be released this year. Singer songwriter and musician Zoe Bestel is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting emerging talents. She released her first EP in 2012, aged 14, and two years later her selfreleased debut album, ‘Sir Lucas and the Moon’, was made an Album of the Week by the Daily Record. She has supported artists such as The Peatbog Faeries, Emily Smith, Paul Brady, Bella Hardy and Snow Patrol’s Nathan Connolly.
Tristan Horncastle, a singer songwriter from This year the university is introducing a night New Brunswick, is appearing at the festival with class in music making and also hopes to start a other Canadian artists as part of a visit during full-time sound production course in September. the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Iain Macmillan, Principal at Lews Castle College UHI, said: “We are delighted to be Jose Duncan & Pablo Lafuente joined forces sponsoring the acoustic stage at the Hebridean at Celtic Connections 2016 and are finalists in Celtic Festival for the first time this year. 2017’s Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. The duo released their debut EP in December 2016. “Culture, music and the arts are areas which are currently being developed and extended at Lews Josie Duncan is a young folk singer and Castle College UHI. The festival gives us the songwriter from Lewis and is currently based in opportunity to strengthen those links and to Glasgow studying Gaelic Song, Scots Song and showcase the skills of our students, particularly Clarsach at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. those on the applied music degree, to a wide Pablo Lafuente is a young guitarist and fiddler audience. from Spain via Stirling. After studying at The “At our Uist campus, the university is working National Centre for Excellence in Plockton, he with partners to create world-class recording and moved to Glasgow, where he is highly in demand performance spaces and the move into sound as a full-time guitarist and is also currently production at the Stornoway campus will extend working on a new project with percussionist Iain our musical links and contribute to the vibrant Copeland and flautist Joe Armstrong. music scene on the islands.” On Saturday, HECLA, Katee Kross, Brighde The acoustic stage was added to the festival’s Chaimbeul and Siiga take to the stage. main arena in 2014. So far, eight acts have been HECLA are a traditional music trio featuring confirmed to appear this year in line with Ailis Sutherland (pipes/whistle), Ilona HebCelt’s aim of promoting new acoustic acts. Kennedy (fiddle) and Kaitlin Ross (guitar/ HebCelt director Caroline Maclennan said: vocals). Ilona and Kaitlin, former pupils of “The programme for our popular acoustic stage Plockton Music School, and Ailis, a former World demonstrates how HebCelt continues to support Pipe Band Champion. They started playing local and visiting emerging artists from a wealth together through their involvement with the Fèis of complementary styles and is sure to appeal to movement. our loyal audience. Currently based in the Western Isles where all “We are extremely grateful to Lews Castle three are studying at UHI for a BA in Applied College UHI for their support in providing a Music, the trio has made appearances at Piping platform for this line-up of exciting talent.” Live! and Celtic Connections. January 2017 saw the release of the trio's first CD. This year’s HebCelt is being held from 19-22 July in Stornoway and will be headlined by The Katee Kross, 19, is a singer/songwriter from Waterboys, Imelda May, Dougie Maclean and Bishopbriggs who was a finalist in the 2014 Lucy Spraggan. Spree festival Danny Kyle Stage and at the Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Stage. She has The acoustic stage programme features on supported artists such as Karine Polwart, Friday Ryan Young, Zoe Bestel, Tristan Barbara Dickson, Dougie Maclean, James Grant Horncastle and Jose Duncan & Pablo and last October shared the stage at Wembley Fuentes.
Fiddle player Ryan Young is one of a new wave of traditional Ryan Young :: musicians www.ryanyoung.scot www.ryanyoung.scot
with Seasick Steve after her YouTube of "Purple Shadows" cover caught his attention. Skye-based piper Brighde Chaimbeul won a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2016. A native Gaelic speaker, her style is rooted in her indigenous language and culture, but draws inspiration from Scandinavian music and the driving tradition of Cape Breton tunes. Skye songwriter Richard Macintyre has been taking his haunting world of Siiga - a mix of melodies, atmospherics and stories of life as an islander - to the live stage across the US and has also toured with label mate Nathaniel Rateliff across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Main arena tickets for HebCelt are on sale via the festival website link above www.hebceltfest.com Adults - £90; concession £80; child 7-15 - £25 with youngsters 0-6 going free. HebCelt has again teamed up with Pitch Village to provide ticket and accommodation packages - more @ http://pitchvillage.com/festivals/hebcelt
www.hebceltfest.com
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Tartan Heart Launches First Ever Music Festival Tartan Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire :: 3-5 August :: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk Buy tickets @ www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk/tickets/ Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has become the first ever music festival in the UK to launch its own officially registered tartan. The tartan has been designed by Black Isle based Prickly Thistle and a range of clothing is available in its distinctive green and red plaid under the brand name Naked Highlander. Prickly Thistle, started in 2015 by Clare Campbell from Ross & Cromarty, is a Highland based tartan design studio creating unique designs and product collections for clients. Belladrum Festival is now in its 14th year. The Belladrum tartan is registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans, forming part of the National Records of Scotland.
Bella features Franz Ferdinand, Sister Sledge (*see statement below) and K T Tunstall in 2017. Bella tickets are available online at the link above and from the usual retail outlets. These include: Inverness – The Ironworks, Eden Court Box Office, Caffery’s and Hootananny’s; Dingwall – Sweet Treats; Edinburgh and Glasgow – TicketsScotland; Aberdeen – Aberdeen Performing Arts; Elgin – Sound & Vision; Beauly – Morrisons; Kiltarlity Post office. Bella patrons will need a three day ticket to see Sister Sledge headline the Garden main stage on the Thursday night. The Philadelphia sisters have charted in the UK since 1975 with hits like ‘We Are Family’ and ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’, working successfully with Nile Rogers and Chic. *After the sad announcement of Joni Sledge's death this month it has been announced that Sister Sledge will continue with their 2017 concert schedule. "Debbie, Kim and the Sledge family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who have extended their love and support during this difficult and challenging time of mourning, in the wake of the passing of their beloved sister Joni Sledge."
“With it being the 14th Tartan Heart festival, we launched our new tartan on the 14th day of February, St Valentine’s Day, a day unavoidably associated with all kinds of hearts” said festival promoter Joe Gibbs. “As an all-ages event, Bella’s crowd have always felt like one big happy Thursday car parks and camping areas will be clan so it seemed appropriate for the festival to open from 8am again after this year’s successful have a tartan for everyone.” effort to encourage patrons to arrive in a steadier flow throughout the day to reduce “We have really enjoyed working on this traffic congestion. Arenas will open from 1pm on project,” said Prickly Thistle’s Clare Campbell. “The design of the tartan picks up on the Thursday. When buying tickets on-line with the red of the logo and the greens of the various Skiddle, Bella patrons are being given an opportunity to contribute to the Archie lichens and mosses around the estate and Foundation, a charity which is helping to festival site. We were thrilled when a senior figure in the Scottish tartans world said that our improve children’s hospital facilities in the Highlands. Bella design was the most attractive he had seen.” Bella sold out in record time again in 2016 for Scarfs in the tartan, bespoke kilts, ladies’ skirts and shawls and other items can be ordered through the Naked Highlander web site @ www.nakedhighlander.com
the eighth year in a row so fans are urged to buy early to avoid disappointment.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of
Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Invernessshire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its offbeat non-musical entertainments and its all-ages approach. The festival won a VisitScotland Thistle Award in 2009 and is a past winner of the Grassroots Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards, the festival industry’s ‘Oscars’.
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Tiree Festival Heartbeat Pounding As They Announce 'Scouting For Girls' Tiree :: 14-16 July :: www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk Buy tickets @ www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
The multi-award winning Tiree Music Festival has confirmed that Scouting for Girls will travel to the remote island to headline the ‘Best Small Event in Scotland’ as part of their 10th anniversary year. It is ten years since the band released their No.1 self-titled album that featured hit singles ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘She’s so Lovely’ – selling over 1 million copies worldwide. For TMF, this will be the 8th festival since its formation in 2010 that has seen the festival sell out every year and gain a reputation as one of the friendliest and most unique festivals in the UK. The festival will be held on the 14-16 July once again overlooking the white sands of Crossapol Bay. Joining Scouting for Girls will be legendary singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean for his second visit to the festival after his spinetingling performance in 2014. Debuting at the festival will be one of Scotland’s most exciting new voices Siobhan Miller as well as IrishBluegrass sensations Jig Jam fresh from their USA tour.
The TMF lineup so far is .....
Scouting for Girls Dougie MacLean Skerryvore Skipinnish Tide Lines Siobhan Miller Trail West Gentlemen of Few Jig Jam Gunna Sound Heron Valley Dun Mor The Defenders Cornaig Ceilidh Band Funbox – The Highland Fling
Scouting for Girls :: www.scoutingforgirls.com
Festival Director Daniel Gillespie, “We are delighted to once again bring a world-renowned act to our small magical island and know that the TMF crowd will create an atmosphere like no other. We are also thrilled to welcome back Dougie as he loved his time on the island in 2014 and his performance in the main tent was one that will never be forgotten – it is the one and only time at TMF when you could have heard a pin drop!”
Families (and big kids!) will be delighted to know that Funbox will be returning to Tiree with their new ‘Highland Fling’ show and there will once again be a host of children’s activities and workshops throughout the weekend. All remaining tickets for the festival went on 18 March and are available from www. tireemusicfestival.co.uk . Early bird tickets for the event sold out in less than 48hrs so early booking is advised. The festival capacity is 2000 – nearly 4 times the population of the island!
TMF wouldn’t be TMF without the Tiree strong contingent of Skipinnish, Skerryvore, Trail West, Gunna Sound, Dun Mor and The Defenders as CalMac have confirmed additional sailings to well as a performance from legendary tutor support the event with full details of these Gordon Connell & The Cornaig Ceilidh Band. available from www.calmac.co.uk or the festival website. There will also be a special first birthday celebration for Tide Lines who performed their www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk first ever gig at TMF 2016 and have gone on to https://twitter.com/TireeMusicFest take the Scottish music scene by storm. www.facebook.com/TireeMusicFestival
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www.benglover.co.uk
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Ireland Announced As International Partner For Celtic Connections 2018 Celtic Connections is one of the leading annual festivals of world, folk and roots music and sees more than 2,000 musicians from across the globe take part in 300 events at 20 Glasgow venues over 18 days. Each year, Celtic Connections partners with a country to help create new international links and advance opportunities for their musicians. For 2018, Ireland is the selected country and Celtic Connections is working in partnership with Culture Ireland to present both leading and emerging Irish artists at the festival. In 2018 Irish bands will perform at the leading music industry event taking place during the festival, Showcase Scotland, providing opportunities for these musicians to gain exposure in front of attending promoters, festival directors and record label representatives.
The 2017 Celtic Connections saw 2,375 musicians, from 50 countries, performed across 26 stages, making no less than 800 hours of music, audience attendance over 110,000
Details of the Irish music stars selected to perform in 2018 will be announced as part of the Celtic Connections programme announcement in autumn 2017.
leading Irish musicians and bands to Celtic Connections 2018; opportunities to celebrate shared traditions and ambitions, and to discover new facets to a musical relationship that has grown over almost The new partnership builds on the richest of traditions, which has seen an a quarter of a century.” incredible range of Irish musicians take to the Celtic Connections stages since the festival started in 1994. From the Chieftains (who starred in the Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said: “Scotland and Ireland have celebrated our connections, first Celtic Connections), to Van Morrison, Clannad, and Clare born accordionist, fiddler and whistle player Sharon Shannon - whose concert traditions, language, poetry and storytelling for centuries. closed that inaugural festival and who is among the Irish artists playing “It is fitting that Ireland has been chosen as the special partner for Celtic at Celtic Connections 2017. Connections in 2018 on their 25th anniversary. Scotland and Ireland have strong cultural links and a shared passion for traditional music and I look Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, said: “An forward to hearing the leading Irish musicians and bands at Celtic international partnership between Celtic Connections and Ireland feels Connections 2018.” like the most natural thing in the world, like friends coming together to make and enjoy music. There’s such a clear affinity.
www.celticconnections.com
”This partnership, which is being realised with Culture Ireland, is also an exhilarating prospect. It creates exciting new opportunities to bring
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com MARCH
Southside Fringe
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival
Glasgow 12-18 May 2017
Lochwinnoch 15-26 March 2017
With their festival programme running from the 12th-28th of May 2017, Southside Fringe is now gearing up for its 5th year. The 16th annual Festival of Music, Drama, Online event applications launch on the 30th Literature, Creative & Visual Arts in of November, you can register your event Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire takes place via www.southsidefringe.com . Building on across a range of local venues. There are a the success of 2016 with 50 venues hosting number of our favourite performers and more than 200 events, Southside Fringe are artists returning in 2017 including Karine now putting the call out for all kinds of Polwart, Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, Flute events to be part of next year’s festival – Phonics, Govan Gaelic Choir, Calder Drama, Theatre, Music. Comedy, Art, Cabaret, Glasgow Theatre Guild, the Rose Room and Spoken Word, Family, Heritage, Food & many more! We have some exciting new Drink, Health & Wellbeing, Film, and acts and performances including Fara - four Literary/Books. Closing date for exciting Orkney musicians, Tony Roper, the applications, 17 February 2017. For more Glasgow Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra and information, contact: many more!. Visit our website for more info: corinna@southsidefringe.org.uk
announcements.” Daniel Gillespie Artistic Director for Oban Live. www.obanlive.com
Killin Music Festival Killin 16-18 June 2017 Killin Music Festival delivers a weekend packed from start to finish with top-of-their-game artists, supported by a festival fringe featuring bar sessions, workshops, kids activities, competitions and even a pipe band! Now heading for it’s second year, Killin Music Festival looks to solidify it’s standing in the festival calendar, taking on board feedback from visitors, and by spreading it’s wings a bit further this time. Don't miss out for 2017! Tickets are on sale now via our website www.killinmusicfestival.com and are selling fast! www.killinmusicfestival.com
http://lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk/
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March into Pitlochry
Riverside Rock
Orkney Folk Festival
Jedburgh 17 June
Pitlochry 24-25 March
Orkney 25-28 May 2017
Riverside Rock is a musical extravaganza with something for everyone young and old and March into Pitlochry began taking shape in 2015 designed primarily to help raise cash for our One of Scotland’s longest-running folk when a small band of music lovers in the came chosen charity and other organisations around together with a thought to put on a music event festivals, celebrating its 35th outing in 2017, the Scottish Borders. Live music from bands, to see out the winter and welcome in the spring. the Orkney Folk Festival is one of the most Showaddywaddy, Pilot, The Beatles Revolution, Pitlochry comes alive over the festival weekend. prolific events in the Scottish and UK folk Scooty and the Skyhooks, Scocha, The Stare, Acts like Hunter & the Bear, King of Birds and calendars, and one of the highlights of DarkHorse and DJ Greg Anderson. The Dunwells bring there music as the intense Orkney’s diary of community events. An Children’s Entertainment includes, Laser Quest, atmosphere fills created Highland Perthshire. entirely voluntary run event, the festival Inflatables of all sorts, Climbing Walls, Wrecking Run over Friday and Saturday the event is filled annually attracts artists from all corners of Ball, Kids Fun Fair Rides and much more. Kids with top acts and often there are pop up surprise entertainment is free for under 18’s from 12pm the folk world - from leading international sessions in addition to the official line up at the 2 till 6pm. You’ll not find a better value family names to up and coming fresh faces to venues - McKays Hotel and Pitlochry Town Hall. festival anywhere in Scotland, Riverside Rock is Stromness, in Orkney’s West Mainland, for Once again we are delighted to be supporting the place to be. Parkinson's UK as our chosen charity of the year four days of concerts, ceilidhs, clubs, www.marchintopitlochry.co.uk
APRIL TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann Edinburgh 26 Apr – 7 May 2017
sessions, talks and craic. Artists and audiences are welcomed by and into Orkney’s own thriving folk scene, with Orcadian artists providing around two thirds of the festival programme. Line-up announced across December-March, with tickets on sale in April, around six weeks ahead of the event. This is relatively close to the festival itself, as the festival consists of around 35 individually programmed and ticketed events, rather than offering all-inone day or weekend tickets. Artists visiting the festival perform on several occasions, though, offering a number of chances to catch them over the weekend.
Experience Scotland Live with a seasonal feast of living traditions and local cultures. Encounter music, storytelling, dance, craft, song and folk drama at venues – indoor and www.orkneyfolkfestival.com outdoor – across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Rooted in the past yet resonating in the present, TradFest showcases dynamic engagement with Scotland’s History and Heritage as well as providing a platform for Oban Live up and coming talent in the world of Trad. Look out for the Battle of the Folk Band Oban event as part of the finale performances this 2-3 June 2017 year!
JUNE
www.tracscotland.org/tradfest
MAY
www.riversiderock.co.uk
Solus
The Bield at Blackruthven, Perthshire 23-25 June 2017 Solas Festival is an allage arts festival held in Perthshire from 17 to 19 June, with hiphop, electro loops and some of the finest folk and roots music you’ll find in a Scottish field: a rich mix of traditions, talents and tastes. Expect an unusual mix of art, music, theatre, comedy, debate and soul-searching. The programme also makes space for challenging debate with activists, writers and thinkers from across the political, cultural and religious spectrum. Solas Festival offers a creative and entertaining programme for festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. www.solasfestival.co.uk
JULY
"We are delighted to announce that Trail West, Mànran and Tide Lines will join us in Oban as not only are they great friends but they are three of the most exciting acts on the Scottish scene today - all bringing their own brand and fusion of Hebrides west coast music. We still have three more acts 19-22 July to announce as well as some other special guests so watch this space for more exciting Fantastic four-day festival set against the
Hebridean Celtic Festival
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com 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 cream of international folk and Celtic music have heaped praise on HebCeltl as it celebrated its 20th year in 2015 by hosting its biggest number of live performances ever. Award-winning artists who took part in this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival hailed it a huge success after bosses laid on new venues and returned to its roots for the showpiece event. www.hebceltfest.com
ButeFest
The Isle of Bute 28-30 July 2017
Tartan Heart ‘Belladrum’ Festival Beauly 3-5 August 2017
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 all the crazy variety that makes it Scotland’s premier boutique festival. ''Belladrum - quite simply, it’s what everyday life should be like, if only everyday life didn't get in the way.'' - Clare Damdoaran, eFestivals. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its offbeat nonmusical entertainments and its all-ages approach.
Nestling in the beautiful surroundings of Drumlanrig Castle, south west Scotland. We’ve been working really hard to top last year and we’re pretty excited about this summer, as well as having some brand new developments. One of the most exciting music festivals in Scotland returns in 2016, over two days in the stunning grounds of Drumlanrig Castle! www.facebook.com/ electricfieldsfestival
Party in the Park Bathgate, West Lothian 3 September
A 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. www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk 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.
Now in its 7th year ‘Party in the Park’ music festival and family fun day is a great day out for music lovers with families, held in Bathgate’s Kirkton Park. There is a main stage and acoustic stage with music on both throughout the day from 11am to 6pm with free entry and no ticket required. A real mix of music from local bands and artists to those further afield. This is no ticket required and no entry fee and as this is geared towards familys there is a strict no alcohol policy.
www.butefest.co.uk
www.facebook.com/partyinthepark
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST
Electric Fields Drumlanrig Castle 1-2 September 2017
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