Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Aberdeen's Daydream Frenzy to play April's North Hop : See page 14 www.facebook.com/daydreamfrenzy // http://northhop.co.uk/
INSIDE: Scribblers Picnic : Tiree Music Festival : HebCelt : Gentlemen of the Road : Glasgow Americana : Eden Festival : North Hop ..... plus 7 pages of '2015 Scottish Music Festival Listings'! www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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music news scotland - FESTIVALS!
www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk web @ www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk tickets on sale 23 March 5pm @ www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
www.hebceltfest.com
www.tracscotland.org/festivals tickets @ http://www.hebceltfest.com/store/tickets.php fb @ www.facebook.com/HebCelt
fb @ www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh tweet @ https://twitter.com/TradFestEd
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Scribbler's Picnic donates £1000 to Strathcarron Hospice Stirling : 10 May : www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk TICKETS! @ http://scribblerspicnic.co.uk/tickets/ Denny's Strathcarron Hospice has received a welcome donation from Stirling charity The Scribbler's Picnic who hold an annual music festival. Some of the charity team recently visited the hospice to hand over the cheque for £1000 which will go towards funding nurses for Strathcarron’s Hospice at Home service.
Strathcarron before the nursing team made it possible for him to return home to spend his final days of life surrounded by his family. Graham's daughter Katy who helps organise the Scribbler's events said it was an emotional return to the hospice. She added: "I had a lump in my throat as I entered the day room where staff broke the news to us that things had taken a turn for the worse and my dad only had days to live.
volunteering and fundraising music festival and fun day makes. takes place on Sunday 10 "I have some heart-breaking May at Stirling Rugby Club from 12noon to 8pm. Early memories of the physical bird tickets purchased online condition of my dad during before 8 May at the link his time at Strathcarron as the cancer took a firm hold. above give £3 off an adult or family ticket. However, the hospice is
such a welcoming, friendly, The festival will feature a caring place that I always variety of musical stages, felt it was somewhere positive despite the tragic means which led me to be there. The services they The Scribbler's Picnic hold provide are wonderful and it music-related events was very humbling to be running under the tagline taken on a tour around the 'musicians helping the fight "We are delighted to be able building hearing about the against cancer'. Proceeds to hand over these funds to work they do." from events are donated to Strathcarron Hospice and Strathcarron Hospice cancer charities. The help the wonderful work Fundraiser Jim Brown said: Scribbler's Picnic was set up they do. We are very lucky “We are thrilled and in memory of Graham to have the palliative care delighted with this wonderful Whitelaw, a Stirling provided by Strathcarron as sum of money that has been musician and teacher, who many places do not have donated. It will go towards also penned a column in the such a fantastic place for our hospice at home service Stirling Observer titled 'The end of life care. It was good which provides 24 hours-aScribbler'. Graham died of to return there in a positive day care by Strathcarron cancer in 2001 and family capacity and it was great for nurses so people can remain and friends set up the our Scribbler's volunteers in their own homes as long charity the following year. who have not had direct as possible.” Graham spent a short time experience with the facility being cared for in to see the impact their The Scribbler’s Picnic charity
www.musicplus.org.uk
www.scottishmusiccentre.com
stalls, beer tent, catering outlets, outdoor kid’s shows, an indoor kid’s room with face painting and crafts and a range of other entertainment. All proceeds from the event go towards cancer related charities. www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk
https://twitter.com/Scribblerpicnic www.facebook.com/scribblerspicnic
www.hittheroad.org.uk
www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre www.twitter.com/scottishmusic
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.www.riversiderock.co.uk web @ www.riversiderock.co.uk tickets @ https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/search/searchEvent.asp?event_id=62094&sid=
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The Fratellis Announced As Tiree 2015 Headliner Tiree : 17-19 July : www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk TICKETS on sale from 5pm on 21 March @ www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
Tiree Music Festival has announced The Fratellis as the headline act for this year’s festival taking place 17-19 of July, and remaining tickets will go on sale at 5pm on Monday 23 March and will be available from the link above.
The Fratellis : http://thefratellis.com
It will be The Fratellis only Scottish festival this summer when they close the festival on the main stage on the Sunday 19th. Other acts confirmed to play the multi-award-winning festival are We Banjo 3, Skerryvore, Manran. Gentlemen of Few, Skipinnish, The Chaplins, Cherry Grove, Trail West, Gunna Sound, Dun Mor, The Lowground and Chunks with many more still to be announced.
Adding to the family fun, Funbox, the Singing Kettle’s new guise, will be hosting a ‘Pirates and Princess’ beach party on the Friday afternoon while top chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will Festival Director Daniel Gillespie says “Since the be cooking up a storm using local produce with creation of TMF in 2010 we have been annually the star from his River Cottage apprentice striving to attract an iconic Scottish band to scheme, Sam Lomas. Tiree so we are just ecstatic to have The From Community Director Stewart MacLennan: Fratellis headlining TMF2015”. “Our annual visitor survey is crucial to our Famed for its laid back atmosphere, TMF attracts planning for each festival and some of the key a diverse audience and is well-known as being feedback from last year was to have more one of the most family-friendly in the UK. The activities for children and families. The Singing multi-award winning event has sold out every Kettle has been the premier family show in year since its inception in 2010, with early bird Scotland for decades so to have the exciting new tickets for the 2015 being snapped up in a show Funbox at TMF2015 is a fantastic addition record breaking 6 hours last December. Due to to our family activities and shows throughout demand, the festival took place over three days the weekend.” for the first time and expanded its capacity in 2014 to 1600 – over three times the population Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall adds “As a regular visitor to Tiree I am looking forward to of Tiree! collaborating with one of Tiree's best known
caterers, Sian Milne of Beachcomber Cafe, to create a “pop-up” cafe and take away at the Festival. With chef Sam Lomas (our first Rising Star graduate of the River Cottage apprenticeship scheme) at the helm, we plan to offer a simple but delicious menu based around the finest Tiree and Argyll produce.” The Island is as appealing as the music nicknamed ‘The Hawaii of the North’ due to its beautiful beaches and picturesque surroundings, the festival takes place next to the white sands of Crossapol Bay. Getting to the gorgeous island is easy with Flybe flying directly from Glasgow, or you can enjoy the train to Oban and then catch one of the regular Caledonian MacBrayne ferries.
www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
https://twitter.com/TireeMusicFest www.facebook.com/TireeMusicFestival
www.glasgowamericana.com web @ www.glasgowamericana.com fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Glasgow-Americana/137637266274105
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www.perthshireamber.com tour info @ www.brookfield-knights.com/up-coming-tours.html fb @ www.facebook.com/BrookfieldKnights
fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Perthshire-Amber-The-Dougie-MacLean-Festival/130180963703717 tweet @ https://twitter.com/PerthshireAmber
www.sambasene.com
imfpublicity@aol.com
www.facebook.com/NdajeClub tickets @ www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1192894 tweet @ https://twitter.com/sambadiwan
www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org tweet @ https://twitter.com/InnerleithenMF fb @ www.facebook.com/innerleithenmusicfestival
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Shoogles And Salsas To Shake HebCelt Stage Stornoway : 15-19 July : www.hebceltfest.com BUY HEBCELT TICKETS! @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/
Globetrotting Celtic fusion band Shooglenifty will continue their 25th anniversary celebrations this summer by helping the award-winning Hebridean Celtic Festival mark its landmark year.
world and will appear on four different continents this year alone.
Shooglenifty will be showcasing their new album ‘The Untied Knot’, to be released in May, at HebCelt. The band, formed in 1990, are known for their wideranging collaborations with musicians from around the
acoustic stage is being further extended. So far booked to play are Dublin-born song poet Vincent Cross, who was raised in Australian and is now based in New York; and Glasgow based contemporary folk
They said of their HebCelt appearance: “We are looking forward to a bumper party at HebCelt. The festival’s 20th anniversary - and the band’s 25th makes for a doubly special gig.” Salsa Celtica, formed in 1995, began their remarkable musical journey in the village halls of the Highlands and Islands, but their unique sound is now heard at some of the most important music festivals around the globe. Findlay Napier will feature at HebCelt after a support slot of Eddi Reader’s UK tour this month and the release of his single ‘The Man Who Sold New York’. His album, ‘VIP Very Interesting Persons’, which has garnered a string of 5-star reviews, appeared in The Telegraph’s list of 12 best folk albums of 2015.
This month also sees the launch of Sorren Maclean’s EP, ‘Way Back Home’. The Mull-born singer recorded his debut album, ‘Island’, with Colin MacIntyre of Mull The Edinburgh-based seven-piece, known as ‘acid Shooglenifty : photo by Iain McDonagh croft’ pioneers, were on the bill at the first HebCelt in Historical Society, which led to Idlewild singer Roddy www.iainmcdonagh.com Woomble inviting Sorren to co-write his second solo 1996 and will be one of the main acts on the Island album, ‘The Impossible Song and Other Songs’, and Stage as part of the 20th island festival from 15-18 singer-songwriter Scott McWatt. they’ve been working together ever since, while July in Stornoway. Sorren has also featured in a duo with virtuoso Acts previously announced for this year’s HebCelt guitarist Finlay Wells. Also joining the HebCelt line-up are Salsa Celtica, include Afro Celt Sound System, Treacherous whose virtuosity, energy and potent blend of Orchestra, the Karen Matheson Band, Chastity Brown, He produced the EP ‘Echoes’ by singer Laurie traditional Scottish/Irish music and Latin rhythms has Le Vent du Nord, Raghu Dixit and Lindsay Lou & The Cameron, which was used in Channel 4’s ‘Hollyoaks’ made them one of the most popular bands on the and, with composer Donald Shaw of Capercaillie, has Flatbellys. world music circuit. created music for the soundtracks to BBC 2’s Caroline Maclennan, the HebCelt director, said: Other additions to the programme sees folk rock band acclaimed ‘Hebrides’ series and the children’s TV show “This year’s line-up is now really taking shape and we ‘Katie Morag’, as well as many BBC documentaries. Mànran make a welcome return, along with Skye are delighted with the range of music and artists This year he is releasing a new album ‘Winter Stay techno fusion outfit Niteworks. Making debut solo joining those already announced. band performances are renowned songwriter Findlay Autumn’ and will support Idlewild on tour. “These latest additions, which feature some firm Napier, popular host of Celtic Connections Late Night Last year was the most successful year to date for festival favourites amongst the cream of Scottish Sessions and curator of the Hazy Recollections Have Mercy Las Vegas who released their debut talent, guarantee an outstanding programme for our concerts, and gifted Mull singer-songwriter Sorren album and enjoyed some acclaimed festival and TV 20th outing and sets the stage for the ‘party theme’ Maclean. Rising Scots roots group Have Mercy Las appearances. of this year’s HebCelt.” Vegas will also bring their eclectic mix of folk and blues to the festival stage. Following a successful first year in 2014, the festival’s
www.hebceltfest.com www.facebook.com/HebCelt https://twitter.com/HebCelt
www.musiconthebrain.org * Go-Rock is a small multi-venue festival held in Gourock aiming to showcase some of the great unsigned and independent acts in Scotland *
tweet @ https://twitter.com/gorockfestival
fb @ www.facebook.com/gorock.music
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www.josephinesillars.com tweet @ https://twitter.com/JosephineHere fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Josephine-Sillars-singersongwriter/243260802371468
www.deanowens.com tweet @ https://twitter.com/deanowens1 fb @ www.facebook.com/deanowensmusic
www.seetickets.com
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.fallenangelsclub.com
fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fallen-Angels-Club/149553931728736 tickets @ www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.almostbluepromotions.com tweet @ https://twitter.com/AlmostBlueGigs fb @ www.facebook.com/AlmostBluePromotions
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Mumford & Sons Announce ‘Gentlemen of the Road Stopover’… in Aviemore Aviemore : 31 July - 1 August : www.gentlemenoftheroad.com
the mns collection ….
TICKETS! @ www.gentlemenoftheroad.com/tickets
Mumford & Sons and Gentlemen of the Road are very pleased to announce details of a very special weekend of live music and entertainment in Aviemore this Summer. The British rock band, who will release their third album ‘Wilder Mind’ on the 4 May, will bring their two-day music and arts festival to The Dell of Rothiemurchus in Aviemore over the weekend of the 31 July and 1 August. It will feature live performances from the Stopover hosts Mumford & Sons + Ben Howard, Scotland’s own Primal Scream, The Maccabees, Lianne La Havas, and Honeyblood, with plenty more still to be announced over the coming months. Gentleman of the Road Aviemore Stopover is copromoted with Highlands based promoter Beyond Events Presents. Robert Hicks of Beyond said: “This is a real highlight for me and the Beyond team, having worked with Mumford & Sons since they toured the Highlands back in 2009 and numerous times since. We’re overwhelmed that Mumford & Sons have chosen the Highlands, and in particular Aviemore as the only UK and indeed, European leg of their touring Stopover Festival. The Aviemore Stopover is an unique opportunity for the Badenoch & Strathspey area and the Highlands as a whole to shout about what an incredible place we live in. Being announced alongside Stopovers being staged across the US and Australia bringing us a truly global audience.” 2015 welcomes the third year of The Stopovers that have taken place across the globe, including some
Mumford & Sons : www.mumfordandsons.com
hugely successful events in the USA, Canada and Australia. Mumford & Sons will curate the weekend’s entertainment with a strong emphasis on celebrating the diverse businesses and culture of Aviemore, and the greater Badenoch and Strathspey community. Tickets went on sale at 10am on Friday 6 March through the Gentlemen of the Road website @ www.gentlemenoftheroad.com/tickets . Tickets will also be available locally in person from The Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore, and the Ironworks in Inverness. The Stopovers rely on the local people for their ideas and suggestions to ensure a weekend that can be enjoyed and experienced by the whole community and beyond. Johnnie Grant of Rothiemurchus: “We are very flattered that Mumford and Sons have chosen Rothiemurchus and Aviemore for the UK leg of their Stopover tour, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their fans to this special part of the world. It’s a pleasure to be able to provide the Dell of Rothiemurchus for this Concert. It will be a great opportunity for the people of Badenoch and Strathspey to make new friends from around the world. We’re particularly grateful to the members of the Rothiemurchus team who have managed to keep a secret in advance of the launch.” FESTIVALnotes ….. Gentlemen of the Road presents…The Stopovers at The Dell of Rothiemurchus, Aviemore, on 31 July + 1 August with Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard, Primal Scream, The Maccabees, Simian Mobile Disco, Lianne La Havas, King Charles, Jack Garratt, Honeyblood + more TBA
www.gentlemenoftheroad.com https://twitter.com/BeyondPrese www.facebook.com/beyondpresents
Read the three MNS digital publications from links at .. www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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www.facebook.com/lemonhazeMUSIC https://twitter.com/Lemonhazeband
https://soundcloud.com/lemonhazemusic
Lemonhaze live @
March 13: Sneaky Pete’s – Edinburgh March 26: PJ Molloys – Dunfermline April 4: King Tuts – Glasgow April 17: Bannermans – Edinburgh
www.facebook.com/lemonhazeMUSIC tweet @ https://twitter.com/Lemonhazeband fb @ www.facebook.com/lemonhazeMUSIC
www.skerryvoredecade.com tickets @ http://skerryvoredecade.com/ web @ www.facebook.com/skerryfans
"A raspy vocal & dark acoustic sound" Preview The Achemist EP @ youtu.be/uanV1z7pLCQ Latest news: http://davidknowles.biz/updates
www.facebook.com/davidknowleshowlinatthemoon web @ http://davidknowles.biz tweet @ https://twitter.com/david_knowles_m
www.lau-music.co.uk
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Tom Russell Signs Up For Glasgow Americana 2015 Glasgow : 7-11 October : www.glasgowamericana.com TOM RUSSELL TICKETS @ www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/tom-russell-tickets/169721
Superb songsmith Tom Russell is the first act to be announced for this year’s Glasgow Americana Festival which takes place at various venues across the city from the 7 to 11 October, with many more acts to be announced in due course. The man from El Paso, whose songs have been recorded by everyone from Johnny Cash to Nanci Griffith, will be appearing at St Andrews in the Square on Friday, 9 October. Tom reckons he’s written his strongest material in the past decade and his latest, The Rose of Roscrae has aroused the critics, attracting words like “masterpiece.” It’s a double album with 25 original Russell compositions they highlight an artistic output that is never less than intriguing, eye-opening and thoughtful with a dusty, rootsy style honed over years of performing out on the road, doing his own thing. “Tom Russell is as good it gets when you think about singer/ songwriters of the past 30 or so years,”
... said Kevin Morris, director of the Glasgow Americana Festival ... “I am pleased he’s agreed to return to Glasgow to grace the Festival – an evening in his company is time well spent.”
www.glasgowamericana.com
https://twitter.com/KevoMorris www.facebook.com/pages/Glasgow-Americana/137637266274105
www.monr.co.uk
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www.birnamcd.com
www.facebook.com/BirnamCD
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www.birnamcd.com www.birnamcdshop.com
www.stephaniemanns.com www.facebook.com/Stephaniemannsmusic https://twitter.com/StephanieManns
web @ www.birnamcd.com shop @ www.birnamcdshop.com
order album @ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fool-like-me/id958330705 web @ www.stephaniemanns.com
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 www.slateroomstudio.com
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www.facebook.com/minordelilah shop @ https://itun.es/gb/v9mk4 tweet @ https://twitter.com/Minor_Delilah
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Eden Festival Needs You! Raehills Meadows nr Moffat : 11-14 June : www.edenfestival.co.uk BUY EDEN TICKETS @ www.theticketsellers.co.uk/tickets/eden-festival-2015/10033169 Every year Eden Festival recruits around 300 volunteers a year to help with the planning and the execution of the festival. There are a variety of volunteering roles available from stage management, artist liaison, compering, bar staff, ticket office staff, site artists and wardens etc. All you need to do is visit www. edenfestival.co.uk and click on ‘Get Involved’ and submit your details.
jazz. A massive live draw on their home turf (where they’ve won an ARIA and hit number 1), their reputation has since spread to the US, Europe and the UK. This band will have you whipped up in a frenzy of giggling, grooving, and swaying. The whole aim behind the festival is to provide a 3 day celebration of music, dance, colour, culture and community built on an ecologically sound and carbon friendly set of principles and to exhibit live music hand in hand with stunning decorations and surroundings.
Director Meredith Langley Vine : You will get to enjoy Eden “Every year we go bigger and Festival in exchange for bolder and this time round it’s volunteering for 16 hours over the weekend, and meals will be no different. We have plenty more surprises to reveal over provided. This is a great opportunity for people who want the next couple of months so to get experience of working on keep your eyes peeled. The line the festival circuit, all of the core up this year includes a lot of new music for the smaller stages". team started off as volunteers including current Directors, Eden is a family friendly festival Meredith Langley (27) and Lisa with activities and workshops Cooper (27) originally from throughout the day time and it Laurieston. featured in The Times top This years Eden Festival has 250 twenty friendly family festivals in the UK and Lonely Planet Top acts will performing across 9 stages with The Cat Empire, Ms. Ten European Festivals to visit 2014. It was also finalists for the Dynamite and Grand Master UK Festival Awards 2014 – Best Flash headlining. Family Festival, Best Grass Roots Festival This years headliners THE CAT EMPIRE are a six-piece funk fusion band from Australia who www.edenfestival.co.uk www.facebook.com/theedenfestival mix it up with rock, reggae and https://twitter.com/TheEdenFestival
The Monster Ceilidh Band paly Eden this year : www.facebook.com/pages/Monster-Ceilidh-Band/150652710109
tweet Kris @ https://twitter.com/KrisDrever tweet Boo @ https://twitter.com/boohewerdine
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Aberdeen's new North Hop Festival sells-out in 2 weeks! Aberdeen : 11 April : http://northhop.co.uk/ TICKETS @ Sold Out!
An inaugural craft beer festival in Aberdeen which includes a superb live music element has unveiled its line-up after officially selling out of tickets in record time. North Hop Aberdeen, a one-day indoor beer festival taking place on 11 April at The Lemon Tree, will showcase the very best in Scottish music talent, with stage music acts from all over the country. The festival, which is made up of two separate www.facebook.com/BestGirlAthlete sessions, will feature acts including Aberdeen based indie-pop band, Best Girl Athlete; acoustic singer Margaret Finlayson; Aberdeen DJ band Strange Skies, will take to the stage for the HomeAlone, who has opened for top names afternoon session. including pop sensation Lily Allen, Drake and world famous DJ Erol Alkan; and blues/rock Huntly trio, Daydream Frenzy, will take to the stage as the evening headline act, supported by acoustic singer Colin Clyne, Inverness alternative/rock band Lionel, and a resident DJ. Both sessions will also include meet the brewer opportunities and cocktail demonstrations from local premium cocktail catering company 10 Dollar Shake. North Hop Aberdeen festival organiser, Michelle Russell, said: “I am overwhelmed at the response North Hop Aberdeen has received from the local area. We sold out in less than two weeks without even announcing the music line up for the festival, and I know that there’s going to be a few people who will be gutted about missing out with a strong line up like this.
www.facebook.com/margaretfinlaysonmusic
to get their Inverness tickets as soon as possible, as they’re likely to go fast.” Donald Barclay, singer and guitarist of Daydream Frenzy, said: “Playing festivals like North Hop Aberdeen allows us to meet a number of new people and play to a completely different audience. “I think any opportunity to play live to a new crowd of people is fantastic for us. We played at the Inverness festival last year and had a great time so we’re really looking forward to playing to a more local crowd and to bringing some great music to the festival.” Tickets for the Inverness festival on 21-22 August in Eden Court are available via the North Hop website www.northhop.co.uk or by calling the booking office at Eden Court on 01463 234234.
“Some of the acts will also be joining us in http://northhop.co.uk/ Inverness for the main North Hop festival in August, so I urge anyone who has unfortunately https://twitter.com/NorthHop www.facebook.com/NorthHop missed out on tickets for the Aberdeen festival
gigs @ www.eddireader.co.uk/gigs tweet @ https://twitter.com/eddireader
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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 album review @ www.netsoundsunsigned.com/2015/02/03/michael-cassidy-my-electric-heart/
info@themusicgallery.co.uk
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kazmiranda@hotmail.co.uk
www.kazmiranda.com cafe @ www.facebook.com/pages/Kazmiranda-Vintage-Local-Art-Boutique/478898812161209 music gallery @ www.facebook.com/pages/The-Music-Gallery/324208144334613
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
MARCH Fifestock 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
Niel Gow Scottish Fiddle Festival Dunkeld & Birnam 20-22 March
April - Taking a holiday in 2015
Harp Festival
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.
Edinburgh 10-15 April 2015
The Clarsach Society & Edinburgh International Harp Festival is an annual celebration and gathering of musical talents. Find out more www.facebook.com/knoydartmusicfestival about us at www.clarsachsociety.co.uk The Clarsach Society (Comunn na Clarsaich) encourages interest in the instrument, especially Counterflows amongst young players, who enjoy its Glasgow adaptability to solo work, accompaniment or 2-5 April ensemble playing. The Society also presents the Edinburgh International Harp Festival - an Counterflows Glasgow based festival of annual celebration and gathering of musical contemporary experimental music featuring talents. Every Spring we bring harpists from artists from across the world. The festival is held across the globe together to rub shoulders with in April with occasional concerts throughout the you, the audience. year. www.harpfestival.co.uk http://counterflows.com/
Skye Live
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. www.niel-gow.co.uk
Hawick Reivers 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. www.facebook.com/hawick.reiversfestival.3
Montrose Spring Blues Montrose 28 March A ‘Day of Blues’ festival in Montrose. www.smokieblues.com
North Of The Wall Glasgow 28 March
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!
NotW returns in 2015, bigger and better. www.glenfargfolkclub.com MORGUL - Glasgow Metal and Rock Society presents North of the Wall a one-day metal festival which returns for a third year of madness Bandstand Beer Fest bigger and better! The festival's venue is Nairn Glasgow's The Classic Grand. 3-12 April www.facebook.com/thenorthofthewall
APRIL Knoydart Music Festival Knoydart
North Hop Aberdeen Aberdeen 11 April
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 weeks, will showcase the very best in Scottish music talent, with stage music acts from all over the country. www.northhop.co.uk
Edinburgh’s Youth ‘Easter’ Gaitherin Edinburgh 13-16 April The Easter Gaitherin is EYG’s flagship event for 9 – 18 year olds. We book Scotland’s top 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 instrument; one in their second choice (which can be something like singing, art, drama or a second instrument); and a third choice. www.eyg.org.uk
St Boswells Americana Festival Scottish Borders 18 April St Boswells Live! presents ….. St Boswells Americana Festival featuring RED DAWG + DAN WALSH plus workshops and other special events. www.stboswellslive.com
Northern Streams Edinburgh 24-25 April
Bandstand Beer Festival - largest independent beer festival in the Scottish Highlands. An annual For two days in April this truly unique festival celebration of real ale & live music at Bandstand combines one off concerts with dynamic and exciting workshops for both adults and children. Bar, Nairn. In 2015 we celebrate the best talent from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Orkney/ https://twitter.com/NairnBeerFest Scotland. For the past 12 years the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland Edinburgh International (Edinburgh & Lothians Branch), have been
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com 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 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 The Festival as the UK's most northerly folk festival is regarded a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike. Organised by a voluntary committee (and run by an even bigger pool of volunteers) the Festival prides itself in reaching out to even the most far flung areas of Shetland. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music that the world has to offer. In fact, visiting artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the quantity and quality of local musicians that our remote isles have to offer.
of room and plenty of music for all to enjoy. www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk
Open stages, children’s events and concerts. Workshops. Come along for a wonderful family weekend.
Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival
www.moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk
Oban 1-3 May
Kelburn 9 May
Psychedelic Forest Disco
The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival has developed into one of Scotland’s major cultural festivals, and takes place annually in Oban, Scotland. The event has developed to include new special events and competitions, and the festival now offers over 1100 participants 125 competition classes in ten disciplines including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, singing, highland dancing and choreography.
Kelburn’s infamous season-opener – the wild and groovy feast for all the senses that is The Psychedelic Forest Disco – returns on Saturday 9th May. Once again we will feature a top line-up of acts across 2 soundsystems alongside innumerable hidden treats and surprises, quality beer, cider and cocktails, camping and of course your favourite woodland shenanigans!
www.obanfestival.org
Banchory Festival of Scottish Music
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
www.kelburngardenparty.com/other-events/
Banchory 9 May A celebration of Scottish traditional music hosted by the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, with the emphasis on fiddle music in all its forms. www.banchoryfiddlers.co.uk
Scribblers Picnic Stirling 10 May
Inverness 2 May 2015
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, Super earlybird tickets have already sold out! Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer www.shetlandfolkfestival.com Next batch of tickets go on sale in October! Care. This outdoor event is held at the Stirling Brew at the Bog is BrewDog and Bogbain Farm’s Rugby Club with each year getting better and gift to the world: a festival full of new music and better. Four stages of music and a charity fete new beer. BrewDog are the leaders of the craft make it a fun day for all the family. The unique beer revolution and they are about breaking music event, which is run entirely by volunteers, rules, taking risks, upsetting trends, unsettling will feature hundreds of musicians covering a Thornhill Music Festival institutions but first and foremost, great tasting broad array of music across the day in the Dumfriesshire beers. As one newspaper put it, BrewDog is the grounds of Stirling Rugby Club. It run's under 1-3 May new black. Bogbain Farm is based just outside the tagline 'Musicians Helping the Fight Against Inverness and was crowned the “Best Unusual Cancer' and is run in association with Stirling Now in its 3rd year Thornhill Music Festival Venue” at the 2012 Scottish Event Awards. Brew and Bridge of Allan Round Table. Thousands are brings a rich and diverse programme of music to at the Bog is just the latest in festivals Bogbain expected to flock to Bridgehaugh for the event the village including acclaimed Blues artist is hosting and the fabulous surroundings of this which runs from 12noon to 8pm. 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. www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk Ska, Rock, Indie, Blues funk, Eclectic Americana as well as singer songwriters. The festival also www.brewatthebog.com Imaginate organises a "Rockschool" event for 11-16 year olds. Edinburgh Burns an' a' That! 11-17 May Ayr www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events www.facebook.com/pages/Thornhill-Music-Festival/487819717906138 2-3 May Scotland's international festival of performing arts for children and young people The Burns an' a' that! Festival is an annual Girvan Folk Festival tribute to Scotland's internationally acclaimed www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/ Girvan poet Robert Burns. A new venue for 2015 at 1-3 May Rozelle Park, Ayr, more information coming FifeSing soon! Concerts - Sessions - Open Stage Collessie, Fife Competitions - Workshops - Children's Events www.burnsfestival.com 15-17 May Camp Site : Girvan Folk Festival started in 1975,
MAY
a time when folk music in Scotland was increasingly exploring its own roots. Concert Moniave Folk Festival venues, competitions, ceilidh dance childrens Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, events, sessions for tunes and songs, Open 8-10 May Stage, workshops,secure campsite. So please tell all of your friends and help to make this the The Moniave Folk Festival has something for biggest Girven Festival ever! There will be plenty everyone, Great music, Piping competitions,
This unique event brings together some of Scotland's finest exponents of traditional singing for a weekend of old songs and bothy ballads in concerts and singarounds in the rural surroundings of the Fife Farm Park. The weekend also includes workshops/talks on topics related to traditional song and culture.
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Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
28-31 May
Like many others, the Fling was conceived with the help of music and alcohol. It began as an Skye Accordion Dumfries and Galloway idea at the Dunblane Folk Club, among a group 21-31 May of people fond of music and fun. And so in May & Fiddle Festival 1993 the first Fling happened. Since then the Skye Our 9-day festival has taken place since 1979. Fling has gone from strength to strength. 21-23 May The founding aim was to bring international Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the performers of the highest quality to a region River' began. Held each Fling Saturday on The annual Isle of Skye Accordion and Fiddle containing many scattered rural communities Dunblane's historic Drying Green, its activities Festival just goes from strength to strength. The since then this region has produced some of its have ranged from an open stage for local young festival has built up a superb reputation for the own talent of international standing and we’re musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and quality and quantity of music, fine venues and proud to also be able to present these artistes fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club hospitality and most of all a friendly and happy from time to time. We offer a wide range of race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan family atmosphere where old friendships are events: music – including classical, jazz and folk, Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, rekindled and new friendships formed through dance, theatre, literary, children’s events, plus featuring over the years everything from ghost the mutual love of the music. the visual arts and films. Events take place in a walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama range of venues throughout the region, from Group, master classes in everything from fiddling www.skyemusic.co.uk/festival.asp large to small, formal to informal, urban to rural. or mandolins to harmony singing or bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night. www.dgartsfestival.org.uk
Orkney Folk Festival Orkney 21-24 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 ceilidh bands to the almost indie strand, we have brought together a broad mix of artists that we hope appeals to everyone’s interpretation of the increasingly expansive folk genre. As ever, our local traditions and musicians – both established and emerging – will be centre stage alongside those visiting the festival. www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Kirkcudbright 21-24 May
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
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
Perth Festival of the Arts Perth 21-31 May Perth Festival is one of the highlights in Scotland's cultural calendar now in its 44th year with classical music, opera, jazz, rock, folk and visual art staged mainly in Perth Concert Hall. The Box Office opens on 30th March. Festival Friends can book from 23rd March only £10 to join. We are delighted to announce that The Proclaimers will headline the Festival on Saturday 23 May. www.perthfestival.co.uk
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
www.dunblanefling.com
Riverside Festival Glasgow 29-30 May Following the huge success of last year’s festival The Electric Frog and Pressure - have joined forces once again, promoter Dave Clarke said: “After the fantastic sold-out event earlier this year we are delighted to be returning to The Riverside Museum, which is an outstanding location for our city music festival.” www.theelectricfrog.co.uk
The Border Gaitherin Coldstream 29-31 May A great traditional music weekend in the picturesque town of Coldstream on the River Tweed. The Border Gaitherin continues to build on its reputation for providing an exceptional family friendly event with traditional music 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. www.bothyfolk.org
Dunblane
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Kintyre Songwriter's Festival
XpoNorth is Scotland's leading Creative Industries festival. Formerly known as goNORTH, it takes place every June in the Highland capital Campbeltown of Inverness over two vibrant days and nights. 29-31 May By day, XpoNorth hosts around 25 panels and workshops featuring leading industry players in The Kintyre Songwriters Festival is a music the fields of fashion and craft, publishing, screen festival which aims to showcase and promote the and broadcast and music. By night, it offers an song writing and musical talent in Kintyre. It also authentic blend of Highland hospitality in the aims to encourage a new generation of local form of networking events, coupled with a free songwriters and musicians, by means of new music showcase at various venues across donations to local musical groups/organisations Inverness city centre. and the presentation of an annual memorial quaiche at Campbeltown Grammar School for www.xponorth.co.uk original folk song. www.kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk
Scottish Pipe Band Championship Bathgate 30 May Competition is keen among the pipe bands competing in the national championship. Come along and hear the pipers, drummers and bands battle it out for the prizes. www.rspba.org
Eden Festival Raehills Meadows 11-14 June 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. www.facebook.com/theedenfestival
JUNE
Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival
Glasgow West End Festival
Kirkcudbright 11-15 June
Glasgow 5-28 June
The 18th annual festival in this unique small Scottish town will endeavour to maintain the high musical standards set by previous festivals. The West End Festival (WEF) is Glasgow’s largest Visitors will have the chance to enjoy top class cultural event and every June takes over the and highly professional artistes, some on a first imaginations of participants and visitors in the time visit, as well as some old favourites, west end of Glasgow. In 2015 it celebrates its ensuring that the festival caters for jazz lovers of 20th year. Over 100 Glasgow-based all ages who appreciate quality as well as variety organisations, arts groups and local and in their entertainment. international artists deliver a mixture of activities and projects, overseen by a small festival team. www.kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk The WEF brings all of these activities together in the festival programme and includes events, exhibitions, performances, talks, tours, Solas Festival workshops and screenings, and many are free of The Bield at Blackruthven charge to allow accessibility. 19-21 June www.westendfestival.co.uk
In what promises to be a exciting year in the spotlight for Scotland, Solas will entertain you with a mixing pot of art, music, dance and Meadows Festival comedy whilst covering everything from jazz to Edinburgh ceilidh dancing, and hip hop to slow food. Our 6-7 June brilliant variety of acts and friendly atmosphere make it a great destination for families. UnderEdinburgh's free volunteer-run music & 12s go free. The festival aims to create a community festival - The Edinburgh Meadows generous, hospitable space in Scotland where Festival features live music, merchandise, stalls, the arts can be performed and enjoyed by all. kids’ and adults’ activities and loads more. The The programme also makes space for first Meadows Festival took place in 1974 and challenging debate with activists, writers and since then the Festival has been an annual thinkers from across the political, cultural and feature of the calendar. In 2013 over 20,000 religious spectrum. Solas Festival offers a people attended across the two days of the creative and entertaining programme for Festival, so it’s a busy and fun-filled couple of festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. days! There will be two stages at the 2014 Meadows Festival: Red Dog Music Stage and www.solasfestival.co.uk Fortune Futures Stage www.meadowsfestival.org/live-music/
XpoNorth Inverness 10-11 June
Riverside Rock Jedburgh 20 June
young and old.... Family entertainment at JedForest RFC, Riverside Park in association with Cash for Kids. There will be children's entertainment of all kinds combined with Rock and Traditional Bands from across the borders and further afield. Riverside Rock must not be missed, the Scottish Borders very own music festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh. Bring along a picnic (alcohol not permitted) and come and support this local event and help raise cash for our chosen charity “Cash For Kids” and other sports organisations around the Scottish Borders. Tickets on sale now at www.riversiderock.co.uk www.riversiderock.co.uk
Fete de la Musique Edinburgh 21 June 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 www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr
Glasgow Jazz Festival Glasgow 24–28 June 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! www.jazzfest.co.uk
Wildfire Festival 26-28 June South Lanarkshire Scotland's classic rock and metal festival. Now in its fourth year, this is Scotland's only 3 day annual, Classic Rock and Heavy Metal Festival. Recently awarded the best musical event of the year at the Scottish New Music Awards. www.wildfirefestival.co.uk
The East Neuk Festival Fife 27 June -5 July The award-winning and critically-acclaimed East Neuk Festival presents world-class arts events in the East Neuk of Fife. The heart of the Festival is classical chamber music, but we also present world, jazz, folk and electronica. In addition to our musical celebrations, we’ve commissioned films, exhibitions, art installations and literature events as well as guided walks. www.eastneukfestival.com
JULY Kelburn Garden Party
Riverside Rock 2015 is set to be another musical Largs 3-5 July extravaganza with something for everyone
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com The Kelburn Garden Party 2015 which takes place in and around the spectacular grounds of the world famous Kelburn Castle. Once again the bill features a unique and exciting bill of artists from across the country and further afield, each hand-picked to come to Kelburn's hugely popular (sell out in 2013 and 2014) and utterly magical annual festival. www.kelburngardenparty.com
Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival Scottish Borders 3-5 July
www.hebceltfest.com
The Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival is probably the longest continuously running music festival in Scotland. Founded in 1970, the festival revolves around a series of competitions (mainly on Saturday), loosely linked by dances, organised ceilidhs and singarounds on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Noncombatants create ad-hoc sessions in all possible locations and visitors are more than welcome at every venue. One of the most popular events is the Grand Winners' Concert on Saturday night, featuring the best of the day's competitors interspersed with passing musicians who failed to escape the press-gang! www.newcastleton.com
Stonehaven Folk Festival 9-12 July Stonehaven
Tiree Music Festival Isle of Tiree 17-19 July Tiree Music Festival (TMF) was formed in 2010 when Tiree musician Daniel Gillespie (Skerryvore) teamed up with school friend Stewart MacLennan with the radical idea of holding an open-air festival on their local island of Tiree. TMF is more than just attending a music festival – it is an island adventure. From the stunning sail or flight to the island of Tiree, camping next to the white sands of Crossapol Bay or surfing at Balevullin beach, TMF is an experience very few festivals in the world could compete with. Get your tickets quick, the early birds sold out in hours - http:// tireemusicfestival.co.uk/ticket-prices www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
Stonehaven Folk Festival - home of good music and song. Some of the best Traditional and Contemporary Folk music with Concerts, Ceilidh, Sessions, Singarounds, Workshops and the famous Aqua Ceilidh and World Paper’n’Comb Championships. Come and join the fun! www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music Festival 10-11 July Newton Stewart Annual traditional and acoustic music festival held in the picturesque market town of Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway. Live music concerts, workshops and sessions. www.facebook.com/TradMusicFestival
T in the Park Fife 10-12 July What more can we say! Scotland’s most widely known and respected festival, which always attracts the biggest names. Check out if tickets are still available at www.tinthepark.com/tickets www.tinthepark.com
Hebridean Celtic Festival 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' at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards last year. This year’s 20th HebCelt aims to build on a successful 2014 event which staged its biggest ever programme of 40 acts, headlined by Big Country, Levellers and Donnie Munro. A huge influx of music fans from overseas made up the estimated 14,000 strong audience which proved a major economic boost for the islands. Get your tickets quickly at www.hebceltfest.com/booking
ButeFest The Isle of Bute 17-19 July A brand new three day festival of music, food and fun. This accessible and hugely friendly family festival all takes places a mere thirty-five miles as the crow flies from Glasgow. Butefest has endeavoured to compile a richly varied and superb line-up that includes both the contemporary and the classic of the music world and runs that gamut from rock to roots and folk to dance. www.butefest.co.uk
Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival Edinburgh 17-26 July Come in and relax… for ten days, the Jazz & Blues Festival musical talent in all shapes and sizes Whether you’re a Festival regular or firsttimer, this year’s programme offers styles for all tastes – from bop to boogie-woogie to bluesrock; from samba to swing to soul. Jazz legends and international acts line up with homegrown talent and rising stars. Check out your favourite acts, of course, but we encourage you to get in the spirit of the Festival and try something new – you’re likely to discover a hidden gem! Experimental guitarists, funky swing bands, soulful singers shine from every corner of the line-up. www.edinburghjazzfestival.com
The Wickerman Festival Dumfries & Galloway 24-25 July The Wickerman Festival prides itself on offering music lovers a diverse mix of iconic acts and emerging talent and this year’s line-up will be no exception. Scotland's alternative music festival in Dumfries & Galloway offers a unique and eclectic celebration of cult musical genres and cult cinema with a relaxed, laidback family-friendly atmosphere, aimed at the more discerning contemporary music fan. All the action climaxes with the burning of a giant traditional willow and straw effigy. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk
Rewind Scotland 24-26 July Perth Featuring fantastic performances from a massive line-up of iconic artists and plenty of other festival fun including camping, funfairs, silent disco, street entertainers, fireworks and much more... www.rewindfestival.com
Aberdeen International Youth Festival Aberdeen 24 July - 1 August Over the years AIYF has hosted more than 27,500 young people from around the globe, making it one of the biggest and most successful gatherings of youth talent held anywhere in the world. AIYF now produces over 80 performances in 9 days of top class entertainment across 50 venues in the North-east of Scotland. It's not all about the big shows though, as AIYF offers some of the most intimate classical and chamber music performances through its series ‘Up Close and Musical'. and also delivers an ‘Extended Festival' programme of events, where our artists take their shows out to communities both in Aberdeen and further afield. AIYF also offers inclusive, participatory summer courses such as 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 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
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Prestfest
Beauly 6-8 August
Prestwick 31 July - 2 August
Get yourself a ticket to Scotland’s all ages wackiest festival of music and performing arts. PRESTFEST the Prestwick Community Music Bella is back in its beautiful Highland setting with 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 town. Damdoaran, eFestivals www.prestfest.co.uk
www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
Speyfest
MugStock Festival
Moray 31 July - 2 August
Mudock 7-9 August
Doune The Rabbit Hole Cardross, nr Stirling 21-23 August A small family-friendly festival with a twist! Doune The Rabbit Hole presents music, comedy, art, spoken word, drama, puppetry and much more! Events across Scotland throughout the year culminating in a 3 day multi arts festival... it's time to go Doune The Rabbit Hole!! We make people happy through music, art, cake and loads of other stuff! After we've done that we teach people who wouldn't ordinarily be able to how to do creative things, like play instruments, write poetry and paint. www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk
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 Rockerbie Music Festival take place just north of Glasgow in Mugdock Lockerbie Country Park 22 August www.facebook.com/Mugstock Two stages, all kinds of music, fairground rides, food and drinks. Great day of music to suit all Party at The Palace tastes and ages. Get a discount on your ticket Linlithgow when you buy early 8-9 August www.speyfest.com www.facebook.com/rockerbie Party at The Palace returns for a second celebration. In August 2014 Scottish music stars Southern Fried Summer Isles Festival performed against the magnificent backdrop of Perth Achiltibuie, Ross-shire Linlithgow Palace & the Peel, showcasing some 31 July - 2 August of the nation's finest music. Scots rock favourites 29 August Simple Minds and Deacon Blue headlined the 2Southern Fried covers a wide range of musical Pioneered by local musician Mairearad Green, day event which also featured performances styles including country, blues, bluegrass, with fantastic music and the most beautiful from Hue and Cry, Horse, The Silencers, Attic gospel, soul, songwriters, alt.country and more. Lights, The Bluebells and many more. Watch our festival setting in Achiltibuie, which is under an Plus authentic southern and soul food, free gigs, website for 2015 Party at the Palace news! hour from Ullapool. latenight performances and workshops. - See more at: http://www.horsecross.co.uk/southern- www.partyatthepalace.co.uk www.summerislesfestival.com fried-festival/#sthash.IVJKoHFq.dpuf www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk
AUGUST 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
Tartan Heart ‘Belladrum’ Festival
Glasgow Summer Sessions
Go-Rock Fest
Glasgow 20 August
Gourock 29 August
Global star Calvin Harris has been announced as the first headline act of Glasgow Summer Sessions 2015, as Scotland’s only outdoor city music festival returns to Bellahouston Park this August. Last year’s Summer Sessions saw US superstars, The Killers, and DJs David Guetta and Steve Angello perform to over 100,000 people at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park across three dates. The events attracted thousands of visitors to the city and provided a massive boost to the local economy.
Go-Rock is a small multi-venue festival aiming to showcase some of the great unsigned and independent acts in Scotland. Just a short train ride from Glasgow, the pretty coastal town of Gourock with its intimate venues and stunning views is the perfect location for our wee festival. With genres ranging from solo acoustic and folk through to opera, rock and metal, you're guaranteed to find something you enjoy. GoRock is part of Music on the Brain.
www.glasgowsummersessions.com
Innerleithen Music Festival Scottish Borders 21-23 August A hugely enjoyable weekend of traditional music in this small Borders town, beautifully situated amongst rolling hills by the River Tweed. Memorable concerts feature some of the biggest names in Celtic music alongside the best of the local talent and the weekend is rounded off with a concert presenting wonderful singers of traditional song. Complementing the concerts are an open stage, a singaround and the legendary informal music sessions in local hostelries and the Union Club. www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org
www.facebook.com/gorock.music
Electric Fields Drumlanrig Castle 29 August 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 www.facebook.com/electricfieldsfestival
SEPTEMBER Nairn Book and Arts Festival
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Nairn 1-6 September
www.loopallu.co.uk
A unique celebration of literature, drama, music and art in the Highlands of Scotland. There will be music for all tastes. https://nairnfestival.co.uk/
100 Bands On The Border Galashiels 4-6 September
Isle of Jura Music Festival Jura 25-27 September 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.
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 .... www.facebook.com/pages/JMP3-Jeffrey-Music-Promotions/745042952180452
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 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
Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana brings musicians from as far afield as Texas and Canada to perform roots music from blues to rockabilly. www.glasgowamericana.com
sound North East Scotland 22 October - 9 November 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. www.sound-scotland.co.uk
Perthshire Amber The Dougie MacLean Festival Perthshire 30 October - 8 November This is the 11th year of our festival and promises once again to be full of wonderful concerts featuring the finest of Scotland's musical talent as well as some international guests. Our venues are as special as ever … ranging from the prestigious Perth Concert Hall to town halls and tiny village halls, from atmospheric castles to our historic Dunkeld Cathedral and even including an iron age Crannog on Loch Tay…25 venues in all in 2015! www.perthshireamber.com
The Spree
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
Ullapool Guitar Festival Ullapool 2-4 October
So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest performers and those, like the students from the 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 mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting West coast fishing village of Ullapool and doubles beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or the population of the village for the weekend. As even jamming with them on one of the trade well as the usual eclectic line up of acts stands. appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com festival will be welcoming the return of the 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
JANUARY 2016 Celtic Connections 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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