Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Kim Carnie (pictured) brings her Trio to Perthshire Amber in November fresh from taking Celtic Connections 2018 by storm and with a soundtrack and on-screen appearances in Netflix’s new Robert The Bruce film ‘Outlaw King’ - read more on page 5 www.kimcarnie.com www.perthshireamber.com
INSIDE: Oban Live :: Perthshire Amber ::
Dundee Jazz :: Edinburgh's Christmas :: Celtic Connections :: HebCelt :: Electric Fields ..... PLUS our Scottish music festival listings www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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music news scotland - FESTIVALS!
www.skerryvore.com
Dean @ www.deanowens.com Yvonne @ www.yvonnelyonmusic.com
tweet @ https://twitter.com/SKERRYVORE fb @ www.facebook.com/skerryfans
www.manran.co.uk artist @ www.facebook.com/cuaceol/ promoter @ www.brookfield-knights.com
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Ticket release date for Oban Live Oban :: 7-8 June :: www.obanlive.com/ticket TICKETS @ www.obanlive.com/#section-tickets on 10 November @ 12noon
Early bird tickets for Oban Live 2019, Argyll’s biggest outdoor music concert, are to go on sale on Saturday November 10, the event team has announced. The event, started in 2016 by one of Scotland’s finest musical exports Skerryvore, takes place on June 7 and 8 next year at Mossfield Stadium in Oban, Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland.
Skerryvore and Oban High School Pipe Band perform at Oban Live 2018
10 at 12pm until tickets last. Full price tickets will go on sale thereafter.
The event was created following Skerryvore’s open-air concert ‘DECADE’ in 2015, the tenth anniversary celebration of the trad-fusion band Back for a fourth consecutive year, the award The highly anticipated news from the event that attracted 6,000 people from all over the winning cultural party in the traditional and truly follows another successful year for Oban Live, world to Oban. Such was the reaction and spectacular Scottish town of Oban takes place celebrating an attendance figure of just over impact of the event, 98% of attendees on June 7 & 8, 2019, at Mossfield Stadium. 8,000 and an economic boost of £1.4million to requested that it became an annual event. From the local rural town. The event welcomes visitors Previous stars have included KT Tunstall (2016), this, Oban Live was formed in 2016 with the aim Toploader, Hue And Cry (2017) as well as from all over the world who come to see an of showcasing the very best Scottish and international traditional music favourites eclectic all star line-up of traditional, folk, rock international artists as part of both the open-air Skerryvore, Sharon Shannon and We Banjo 3. and pop artists in a unique west coast stadium concert and Oban Live Fringe events. The Oban Live Fringe extends the party across setting. www.obanlive.com the whole weekend with live music & special Discounted ‘Early Bird’ tickets will go on sale via offers across the towns' bars, cafes, restaurants, www.twitter.com/OBANLIVE the Oban Live website on Saturday November shops and more. www.facebook.com/obanlive
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www.jilljackson.co.uk
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An inspiring welcome awaits you in Perthshire as 'Amber' returns for 2018 Dunkeld + Perth :: 2-4 November :: www.perthshireamber.com Tickets @ www.perthshireamber.com/index.php/tickets2
An inspiring and involving long weekend of music awaits fans of Scottish, folk or contemporary original music in the welcoming little town of Dunkeld in Perthshire when one of Scotland’s most popular festivals, Perthshire Amber – the Dougie MacLean Festival, returns in November 2018. Festival organisers took a well-deserved break in 2017 after a 12 year run, where Perthshire Amber grew from a weekend of concerts to a ten day festival attracting a worldwide audience to an array of venues around autumnal Perthshire.
".... intimate concerts in charming locations and pub sessions where so many great friendships have started over the years."
News that the festival was to return this year has been met with great delight and almost all of the programme was quickly sold-out when it went on sale in the late spring… including Murthly Castle Chapel, multiple Cabaret Amber concerts and the Farewell Concert at Dunkeld House on the banks of the River Tay. There are limited tickets still available for Dougie MacLean in Concert, which sold-out the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall during this year’s Celtic Connections, the Brunton Theatre during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and numerous theatres and arts venues in the UK and USA during 2018. Performing at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 3 November, the concert will share stunning songs from his recent album "New Tomorrow" as well as some of the best-loved songs from his decades as an internationally acclaimed performer. In the year that celebrates the 40th anniversary of MacLean’s anthem ‘Caledonia’ it’s a poignant time to look back, reflect on and celebrate the impressive career that has led to two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and an OBE. Tickets for Dougie MacLean in Concert at Perth Concert Hall are selling fast, so anyone hoping
Dougie MacLean :: www.dougiemaclean.com
to see him is advised to snap up the final tickets now.
Katee Kross :: www.facebook.com/KateeKross
Meanwhile in Dunkeld throughout Festival weekend the crowds are expected to descend on the four main pubs in the town, which will be hosting simultaneous acoustic music sessions. The sessions will be free and everyone is most welcome to come along to either sit back and enjoy or join in. The festival was described as ‘The most original acoustic music festival in Scotland today’ by Sing Out Magazine (USA) and Festival Director Jennifer MacLean explains more: ‘This year we were keen to bring the festival back to its core and think about what it is that makes Perthshire Amber so special. Dougie and I originally wanted to show his audiences his beautiful home region, which continues to inspire his song-writing, and to bring together our musical friends and his audiences in a situation where music is at the heart of everything. What better way to do that than intimate concerts in charming locations and pub sessions where so many great friendships have started over the years. We are excited to be back and looking forward to Perthshire Amber 2018. Please make your way to Dunkeld for a weekend of music and a very warm welcome!’
Ross Ainslie :: www.facebook.com/RossAinslieMusic
To buy tickets for Dougie MacLean www.perthshireamber.com in Concert at Perth Concert Hall, call www.www.twitter.com/PerthshireAmber the box office on 01738 621031 www.facebook.com/perthshireamberfestival or use the link above.
email your festival news to alastair.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
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Top Names And Hot New Talents For Dundee Jazz Festival 2018 Dundee :: 14-18 November :: www.jazzdundee.co.uk Headline acts include: Otis Taylor :: Nubiyan Twist :: Colin Steele Band :: Gonzalo Bergara Quintet :: STRATA :: Rose Room :: Alvin Youngblood Hart :: Krystle Warren
TICKETS @ www.jazzdundee.co.uk/tickets.html
Dundee Jazz Festival will thrill music fans with more performances than ever before, covering many styles of jazz, including blues, afrobeat, soul, funk, big band and Latin.
One of UK’s most exciting Afrobeat purveyors, Nubiyan Twist, bring their infectious, hypnotic afrobeat groove which draws on jazz, hiphop, afrobeat, latin, soul, reggae and dance music to Small Town Club, The Reading Rooms for an incendiary live show. Samedia Shabeen DJs will follow with a club night promising to keep the music going long after the other venues have closed up shop, with a tropical soundtrack spanning old and new world sounds.
The record sales of 2017 especially to a younger audience, has encouraged the organisers to commit to extra events, and not just to maintain the standards set in 2017, but to improve on them with a variety that will thrill audiences. From Wednesday, November 14th, until Saturday, November 17th, major international names and Scottish stars will perform for audiences who are sure to appreciate the comfort and excellent acoustics of the Gardyne Theatre. From American blues legends and multi award winners Otis Taylor and Alvin Youngblood Hart playing a unique version of Delta-inspired country-blues; to Argentinian Gonzalo Bergara’s mix of gypsy jazz and tango that fuses two cultures and musical styles to create a truly original sound – sharing the bill with Scotland’s favourite gypsy swing band Rose Room (fronted by award winner, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Seonaid Aitken); to a tribute to one of jazz greats: Miles Davis, with Colin Steele Band and Richard Ingham’s Birth of the Cool Ensemble; plus a celebration of one the great eras of jazz, the swing era, with the Scottish Swing Orchestra playing the music of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, with special guest Lorna Reid.
The Festival is also expanding its programme to include a host of new city centre venues including Clarks On Lindsey Street, the Underworld Café (which will be turned into an pop up underground jazz club for the week), and the sophisticated ambience of The Wine Press. The programme features some of the most exciting young Scottish jazz bands, reflecting the vibrancy of the current jazz scene: Graham Costello’s Strata – one of the most acclaimed new bands out of Glasgow - Matt Carmichael; Georgia Cecilé; Joe Williamson (winner of Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year); Jed Potts Hillman Hunters; Melisa Kelly and AKU!. Nicole Smit sings the story of the great historical female icons of the blues; Kansas City born/Paris based Krystle Warren mixes acoustic American styles blending jazz, bluegrass, alt country and folk to create a unique and original style, as she takes some time off touring with Rufus Wainwright. As part of this year’s offering, DCA hosts a special film screening of the filmdocumentary ‘One Note At A Time’ which tells the story of New Orleans musicians who courageously returned to their hometown after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Otis Taylor plays with his band at the Gardyne Theatre on Wednesday 14 November :: www.facebook.com/OtisTaylorBand
The ever-popular Jazz In The Ferry, closes the Festival on Sunday 18th November, as Broughty Ferry plays host to over 10 bands playing in 5 venues. The music encompasses a host of jazz and jazz related styles from big band, to vocal, to blues to gypsy swing to Latin inspired rhythms. Festival promoter, Agnese Daverio, said “we are delighted to be able to continue to grow the impact of the Festival in Dundee. We’re bringing back the energy and
feeling of a real festival, concentrated and fun. Thanks to the support of Creative Scotland and Dundee City Council we are able to present some of the best talents from home and abroad whilst offering a platform for a host of exciting young Scottish musicians with great value for money for audiences.”
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Get your Christmas groove on with Silent Light and let festivities begin! Edinburgh :: 16 November - 5 January :: www.edinburghschristmas.co.uk
TICKETS @ www.edinburghschristmas.com/whats-on
the mns collection ….
Trinity Primary Choir brings festive cheer :: photo by Neil Hanna
On behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, Underbelly has announced the full programme for its sixth season of the worldfamous Edinburgh’s Christmas!
Edinburgh’s Christmas is the place to be for families too! This year even more so thanks to You Choose, a brand new interactive musical show for people of all ages to enjoy. Based on the brilliant book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt, the show comes from Nonsense Room Productions whose Shark in the Park wowed Edinburgh-based and visiting families in 2017. But in this show – you choose what happens… Using It takes place between 16 November 2018 and 5 the best-selling picture book as inspiration and January 2019 and remains one of the most popular through a series of games and challenges each show Christmas celebrations in the UK. 2018 will see the will come up with a unique story, with different biggest, brightest and best programme of events and characters every time. A brilliant excuse to come entertainment to date. every day! A record-breaking 781,520 tickets were snapped up to Edinburgh’s Christmas 2017 rides, attractions and shows, a 13% increase on 2016’s 690,878 tickets with people from 47 countries enjoying all that Edinburgh’s Christmas had to offer. Locals got in on the action too and took advantage of their 20% discount with 142,333 tickets booked by Edinburgh residents, up 9% on 2016’s number. This year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas lights up with the spectacular Silent Light and sparkles with La Clique Noël – Part Deux’s metres of sequins! Here's a flavour of the musical elements for the full programme go to the link above. Brand-new spectacular Silent Light is bound to brighten up even the Grinch’s day! In a global first, Underbelly has invited the team behind the Fringe 2018 hit, Silent Adventures, to collaborate with Edinburgh’s Christmas on a unique outdoor event for people of all ages to enjoy. Fusing the stunning hit of Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016, Street of Light with a silent street party, Silent Light was born: a festivity like no other, with people dancing and singing underneath a spectacular architectural installation of archways festooned with thousands of lightbulbs synchronised to music! Getting everyone’s Christmas groove on thanks to a rich playlist of first-class tunes, Silent Light is perfect Christmas entertainment. With 3 different themes to choose from (Santa’s Sparkles, especially suitable for families, Christmas Crackers with all your favourite festive tunes and Disco Delights for the party crowd). Light Night is back on 18 November to kick off the Christmas season in style! Encapsulating the true spirit of festive season: family and community, this special one-off event features a special performance from Saskia Eng, a young singer from Edinburgh who was a competitor on this year’s The Voice, mentored by Tom Jones and will.i.am and who will also switch on the Christmas lights in the city! Light Night is hosted once again by Forth 1’s Arlene Stuart and features stunning fireworks as well as music and dance performances from local Scottish groups.
Festival Square Spiegeltent - La Clique Noël returns home for Christmas with a new seasonal spectacular, La Clique Noël - Part Deux. Following on last year’s Christmas-season success, La Clique Noël - Part Deux has a reimagined line up of new eclectic and eccentric artists plus a few firm favourites for this year’s festive edition. The show will feature a scintillating live band and the best of the best in adult, genre-bending, new variety – all in one unforgettable night! The legendary Baby Loves Disco returns to Edinburgh’s Christmas with only 3 dates with Christmas Cheer (9, 22 and 23 December). With its unique day-clubbing experience for parents with babies, toddlers and young children Baby Loves Disco is a perfect Christmas treat! Christmas on Stage, brings together the ultimate guide to festive on-stage entertainment in Edinburgh. It is back with a dazzling new line-up of shows. Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, Directors of Underbelly and Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are so excited to be bringing Christmas cheer back into the city with one of the world’s most ambitious programmes of outstanding shows and attractions for people of all ages to enjoy! Our headline event this year, Silent Light, is a silent disco street party like no other. Raising money for One City Trust and on 1 December taking part in St Andrew’s Fair Saturday to support 3 deaf and blind charities, this special event will put a smile on everyone’s face with a rich catalogue of top festive tunes synchronised to tens of thousands of lights! We also want to give away 26,000 free tickets to Silent Light via over 50 local charities to make sure that no-one is excluded from this only in Edinburgh event. And don’t forget to join us and The Voice’s Saskia Eng on 18 November for Light Night – get your Christmas groove on and let the festivities begin!”
www.edinburghschristmas.co.uk www.twitter.com/Edxmas www.facebook.com/EdinburghsChristmas
Read the three MNS digital publications from links at .. www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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Celtic Connections announces their 2019 programme to brighten your winter blues! Glasgow :: 17 January - 3 February :: www.celticconnections.com TICKETS + FULL PROGRAMME @ www.celticconnections.com From Thursday 17 January to Sunday 3 February 2019, musicians from across the globe will take part in over 300 events in venues throughout Glasgow for the largest winter music festival of its kind and the UK's premier celebration of Celtic music. The 18 days of entertainment will brighten up the dark, wet January nights with a mixture of concerts that include a host of one-off musical collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions. Following last year’s 25th festival celebrations, when Celtic Connections welcomed over 2,300 artists from over 30 countries and recorded an exceptional 130,000 attendances, Celtic Connections will continue to grow and diversify in 2019.
Concert will welcome up to 70 emerging young talents to the stage, selected from the 45 Since the inaugural festival in 1994, when its 66 Fèisean now held annually around Scotland, events centred around one venue and welcomed Orcadian youth music project Hadhirgaan, and Galician folk orchestra SonDeSeu. Working with 27,000 attendees, Celtic Connections has the original composers, they’ll perform newly become more adventurous, more experimental arranged excerpts of Duncan Chisholm’s 2007 and more diverse. A huge range of musical Blas Festival commission Kin, Lauren genres are showcased across the 18 days, as MacColl’s The Seer, commissioned by Fèis Rois, well as genre-busting performances that defy and Harvest itself, along with material by any attempt at categorisation. The special Dàimh, Aidan O’Rourke, Brighde Chaimbeul and commissions and creative collaborations that additional Pan Celtic special guests. have made the festival so distinctive and internationally acclaimed will also continue to As usual the festival is graced with household play a central part in Celtic Connections 2019. names including Rhiannon Giddens, Cherish the Ladies, Graham Nash, Niteworks, Elephant The festivals’ first 25 years have witnessed the Sessions, Bokanté, Loudon Wainwright III, Judy emergence of a myriad of young Scottish Collins, Ronnie Spector & the Ronettes, Kathy musicians, many going on to attain headline status - and plenty who weren’t even born when Mattea, Shooglenifty and Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert. the festival began! The Celtic Connections Opening Concert will celebrate the passing on of From the World music scene Celtic Connections 2019 will welcome Benjamin Clementine, traditions between generations, and will also Delgres, The Como Mamas, Catrin Finch & mark 15 years since Harvest, 2004’s landmark opening show which teamed a battalion of then- Seckou Keita, Mariza and Bassekou Kouyate. youngsters with top Celtic soloists. The Opening
programming team would expand, and a number of ghost programmers have been involved in the artistic direction of Celtic Connections 2019. The growth of the programming team has allowed for Creative Producer Donald Shaw to work on developing the festival to its fullest potential to safeguard the longevity and musical integrity of what has become such an internationally acclaimed event. Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “Every year we strive to programme the most diverse and eclectic festival yet and 2019 is shaping up to be just that. From artists who have influenced the current scene, to musicians who are re-defining the music of tomorrow, Celtic Connections 2019 will continue to embrace a huge range of styles and genres that showcase artists and cultures from across the world.”
www.celticconnections.com www.twitter.com/ccfest www.facebook.com/CelticConnections
Last year it was announced that the
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HebCelt Inspires Island Tourism Boom Hebrides :: 18-20 July 2019 :: www.hebceltfest.com TICKETS @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/
The major economic impact of the Hebridean Celtic Festival and its key role in bringing visitors to the islands is again underlined in a new report. The 2018 HebCelt, headlined by Deacon Blue, The Fratellis, Eddi Reader, Skipinnish, and Roddy Woomble was held from 18-20 July in Stornoway with all four nights sold out. Overall attendances reached nearly 18,000 over the four days of the event, its highest ever number, with an estimated total in excess of 7,500 paying festival goers. More than half (56 per cent) of the audience came from outside Lewis and Harris, including five per cent from outwith the UK. In all, 66 per cent of visitors from outside Scotland said HebCelt was the sole or main reason for travelling to Lewis and 70 per cent said they were likely to return.
HebCelt :: photo by Colin Cameron
The festival audience was drawn from across the UK and also abroad, including Europe, the US, volunteers, it is enormously satisfying that the Canada, Australia and New Zealand. hard work that goes into organising the festival An outstanding 97 per cent of the audience said helps generate such rewards for our supportive their overall experience at the event had been community.” excellent or good. Rob McKinnon, Chief Executive of Outer The report by MKA Economics says: “In terms of Hebrides Tourism, said: “HebCelt promotes reasons for visiting the festival, 21 per cent of the islands in a way that captures their non-locals were visiting Lewis and Harris for the character, but does so in a contemporary way first time, 79 per cent had visited before. The that is in sync the lifestyles of today's visitors. event can therefore be seen to have played an “It also does a great job at being both a great important role in attracting new visitors to the tourist attraction and something the islanders area, as well as encouraging repeat trips”. love and own.” Overall, the festival directly generated net economic effect of £2.1 million, which has helped David Gibson, Director of Service Delivery for Caledonian MacBrayne, a major festival safeguard 38 tourism-related jobs. sponsor, said: “CalMac Ferries has supported The figures almost exactly mirror those from the HebCelt since its inception and has contributed 2016 HebCelt, headlined by Runrig, previously funding annually to support the festival. the most successful in the event’s history. “We recognise that HebCelt is an important Comments on the overall quality of experience contributor to the local economy, generating were very positive, with festival goers praising some £2 million annually and that it brings the event programme, pre-event information visitors to the Outer Hebrides, not only from and overall value for money. Scotland, but also from the rest of the UK and overseas. From the quality of acts on offer over HebCelt Director Caroline Maclennan said: “As these figures clearly illustrate, the festival is the weekend - which suggested considerable entrepreneurial spirit given their quality - to the a significant economic driver and a major planning of the site, it is clear that detailed tourism magnet for the Outer Hebrides and thinking goes into the planning and execution of beyond. the event.” “After 23 years, HebCelt’s popularity continues to develop and the feedback from festival goers As well as its three stages in the main festival arena, HebCelt events are held in the centre of has been tremendous. Stornoway, including the An Lanntair arts centre, “It’s deeply rewarding when capturing these and at smaller community venues in Lewis and statistics to see that, not only do we get so Harris. many return visitors, but the event continues to Alex Macdonald, Head of Performing Arts at attract new visitors each year. An Lanntair, said: “We have worked in “As a charitable event run almost entirely by partnership with HebCelt from its earliest years
and are delighted to have seen it grow to the internationally recognised festival it has become. “We are also seeing an increasing number of repeat visitors through our doors each July, and are aware that the event plays a huge part in encouraging new visitors to the islands at that time, clearly benefiting the overall economy Importantly, we provide a platform for the Gaelic stage each year and our organisations have collaborated in the promotion of local artists in particular so, whether you are involved in the programme as a volunteer or simply attending, it is an entirely home-grown event that local people can be very proud of.” Advance weekend tickets for next year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival, to be held from 18-20 July 2019, are available from the festival website. Day tickets and those for opening shows, late night activities and community events in Lewis and Harris go on sale next year when the full festival programme is finalised. Package deals for visiting festival-goers, including tickets, travel and accommodation, are being arranged by the Cala Groups via the Hebridean Hopscotch website. The packages have been put together in response to strong demand from visitors who want to streamline arrangements to enjoy the festival to the full.
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MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS mns festival review :: report + photo by Katy Whitelaw
Electric Fields - "brilliant family friendly festival" read Katy's full review and follow her blog @ www.mixtapemum.wordpress.com/2018/10/11/electric-fields-review-2018/
Set in the stunning scenery surrounding Drumlanrig Castle and only an hour’s drive from Glasgow, Electric Fields was a brilliant family friendly festival.
the stage, smiling at the crowd, and although the band exudes contagious energy and play with raw guitar rage, Steen is keen to tell us they don’t take themselves too seriously and sings “Well I'm not much to look at/And I ain't much to hear/But if you think I love you/You've got the wrong idea” – ‘One Rizla’. BBC Introducing provided some glamour from American rock band Sunflower Bean. Melodic Fleetwood Mac-like sounds soothed the crowd played by a guitarist wearing green satin pyjamas and lead singer Julia clad in skintight white PVC looking every inch the rockstar. “My family are originally from Glasgow,” she endearingly shared.
Work commitments meant I was unable to attend the Thursday evening so unfortunately missed out Indie band The Coral had everyone upbeat and singing along to classic on James and Ride – a band I haven’t managed to catch live yet. hits such as Pass It On /Bill McKay/ Thinking Of You and the already There are a couple of festivals who bustling and happy crowd swelled in are now adopting the Thu-Sat front of the main stage for ‘the programme instead of Fri-Sun. For Fannies’ Teenage Fanclub. those who can get the end of week time off work this gives the benefit With the recent announcement from Gerry Love that he would not be of having the Sunday to travel home and recover before returning joining them on his next tour this back to the real world on a Monday! was the chance for many fans to see him play for the last time. The weather was glorious sunshine Heckling shouts of “Gerry don’t on the Friday and the site was easy go!!” could be heard randomly to find with parking only a few throughout the set from the crowd. hundred metres from the main Starting their set with ‘Start Again’ entrance. Being in our late 30s and taken from album Songs From being at a stage in our lives where Northern Britain, as the sun set, we quite enjoying a decent night they delighted fans with firm kip, we had asked security to send favourites including ‘Starsign’, us to the ‘quiet’ area of the ‘Sparkies Dream’ and ‘Everything campsite. We were met with a Flows’. friendly chuckle and they just Anticipation was high amongst the pointed to areas to avoid pitching crowd for The Mighty - Noel our tent in. Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. There was a really even mix of ages Weary children were falling asleep in the general campsite – a around us on parent’s shoulders, in reflection of the line-up. We tried to small trailers and on blow up chairs avoid anyone with a sound system but there was no way their parents or anyone who looked under 20 and who had experienced the full impact found a space near an area with of Oasis in the 90s were going to folk who looked round about our miss this and listen from afar in age (thinking they will be less likely their tents. to be up all night with the tunes on More recent material was well partying) and pitched up. How received, but it was with Oasis times have changed!! classics such as ‘Half The World Within a couple of minutes of Away’ and ‘Whatever’ that the walking we were in the main arena crowd became rapturous in full and it didn’t take long to navigate chorus with thousands singing along our way around the site, it was in unison - “Kids this is what your really compact. There was a great parents were on about from 20 range of food stalls to choose from years ago,” mused Noel. Signing off and a cocktail bar and some craft for the night with a cover of The beer selections amongst the booze Beatles ‘All You Need Is Love’ we on sale. Food and drink prices blissfully head over to the dark, hot average for festival fayre. and sweaty Valley Stage (tent) for First up was Ibibi Sound Machine, an intense, high octane Young Fathers performance which took an electronic afro-funk band from my breath away. The explosive London, whose colourful and lively energy and wall of sound was performance was a perfect uplifting and relentless. A testament soundtrack to the start of the to why the Edinburgh trio have just afternoon. scooped the Scottish Album of the Next were Brixton band Shame, a Year for latest release ‘Cocoa post punk quintet who released Sugar’. their debut LP, Songs of Praise in January. They are a high energy act With the sounds from the only remaining music on site from the with bleach blonde, Scout-shirtwearing Charlie Steen as their ring cocktail bar ringing in our ears we leader. He prowls and lurks around headed back to the tent.
Idlewild :: www.facebook.com/IdlewildTheBand I have never been so happy to have brought earplugs. We did get kept up for some time with people partying close by but it was the surround sound snoring I hadn’t banked on from all the middle aged guys in the campsite!!
favourite Idlewild track– ‘You Held The World In Your Arms’.
We took some time out to venture down to the dance area Sneaky Pete’s which is set away from the main arena where we cut some shapes to Soul Jam DJs and SATURDAY ..... managed to squeeze in a couple of Saturday’s drizzle found us seeking gorgeous glam burlesque shelter at points throughout the day performances in the packed Neu Reekie tent. and we found sanctuary on arrival in the arena in the Neu Reekie tent Public Service Broadcasting were where it was a delight to see a superb, backed by the nostalgic performance of spoken word from stock footage of space exploration, Cat Hepburn. This was soon political activity and the miner’s followed by a poignant and strike. They were joined onstage for emotional video tribute to Scott ‘Progress’ by TracyAnne Campbell, Hutchison created by friend singer of Camera Obscura, who Michael Pederson which included provided guest vocals on the band’s candid holiday photos and interview third album and then joined by two clips. His loss still lies like a veil bouncing spacemen. over the creative community. Closing the festival, 90s God’s of The arena seemed much quieter in techno Leftfield put on a pounding the early afternoon – perhaps it was blitzkrieg light and sound the light rain, perhaps it was a performance with several original hangover from the night before…or contributors appearing including perhaps some had only been there Rasta MC Earl Sixteen. With only a for Noel G and departed – but couple of mainstream big hits Scottish rapper Stanley Odd still ( ‘Open Up’ ) I did wonder if they drew a hefty crowd. Parents with would manage to sustain the draw small children will have been glad of the crowd but it was heaving with they brought their ear plugs for bodies dancing in the light of the hands-in-the-air track “It’s All Gone funfair far back from the stage. To Fuck”. With the departure of T in the Park Hollie Cook brought some reggae from the Scottish festival scene, love to Dumfries & Galloway and I Electric Fields has stepped up to the loved her cover of ‘Walking in the plate and provided a spectacular Sand’. The euphoric but shoegazing with-camping alternative with an sounds of the Horrors provided a epic line up packed with a meaty dark Goth contrast to the breezy side of exceptional Scottish summery sounds of the previous emerging acts. Great atmosphere, act. great music and clean toilets! I will Scottish musical stalwarts Idlewild most definitely be back. started with a Frightened Rabbit www.electricfieldsfestival.com tribute by covering ‘Something www.twitter.com/Electric_Fields Carries On’, another nod to the desperately sad loss of the talented www.facebook.com/electricfieldsfestival Scott Hutchison, before my
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com OCTOBER
Shetland 11-15 October
This the 31st festival presents the best in Glasgow Americana traditional music from Shetland, Scotland, Glasgow Ireland and Scandinavia. The Shetland 3-7 October Accordion and Fiddle Club promotes the best in tradional Shetland music, holding events Glasgow Americana has lined up ten gigs throughout the year, as well as the annual featuring overseas and home-based acts for Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival (SAFF) this year’s five-day-long festival. The onstage action for the 12th Glasgow www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com Americana will take place at six city venues from October 3-7. Fans will be able to enjoy The Royal National Mod two gigs on Festival Friday, three on the Saturday and the Sunday, including a trio of Paisley 12-20 October matinee performances, plus two album launches. The Royal National Mod will take place in Dunoon in 2018. The Feis events will take www.glasgowamericana.com place in local hotels, public houses and local central venues. An Comunn Gàidhealach is Feis na Mara one of the oldest and most respected Gaelic Arisaig organisations. Founded in Oban in 1891, it 5-7 October has long been a leading light in the teaching, learning and use of the Gaelic The return of the music festival "Feis Na language and the study and cultivation of Mara".3 days of predominantly Scottish Gaelic literature, history, music and art. music from traditional to modern in the beautiful West Coast, at the end of the Road www.ancomunn.co.uk to the Isles. The best wee festival in the west returns with the mother of line-ups! The Spree And to a few miles down the road, in the Paisley beautiful wee village of Arisaig. 14-22 October www.feis-na-mara.com
Legends of Motown, rock and dance music head-up a stellar bill of acts that will play Ullapool Guitar Festival this year’s The Spree Festival in Paisley. The Ullapool festival of music, comedy, theatre and arts – 5-7 October now in its seventh year - will take place between the 12 and 20 October and will This is an amazing little festival which is welcome Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, literally rammed full of talented artists that famous for tracks such as Dancing in the have all been attracted up to the beautiful Street, Jimmy Mack and Heatwave, to setting of Ullapool in the autumn - thanks to Paisley Town Hall alongside the London the energy and passion of organiser Richard African Gospel Choir who will perform Paul Lindsay. A fantastic value weekend ticket Simon’s Graceland on 20 October. For gains you entry into everything that is tickets and more info, see happening over the three days; all workshops, the late night Festival Club in www.thespree.co.uk the Macphail Centre, the Trade Show with something for all guitarists and of course all 5 concerts. Weekend tickets are selling out Blazin’ in Beauly fast so get in touch via the link below if you Beauly 15-19 October want one! Since 2001, Blazin’ Fiddles have hosted a wonderful week of tuition, concerts, ceilidhs and craic, welcoming thousands of folk to Selkirk Sessions the little town of Beauly in the Highlands of Selkirk Scotland. A short drive from Inverness, 5-7 October Beauly is a gem of a place, a truly welcoming town where everyone is part of 2014 is the 13th of the Selkirk Sessions the community. The classes take place all Traditional Music Festival and flows on from over the town; The Phipps Hall, Morison’s the two previous Both Sides of the Tweed Iron Mongers, The Caley Hotel, The British Festivals which ceased in 2005. Selkirk Legion and of course The Lovat Hotel – Sessions welcomes all musicians who enjoy Blazers head quarters for the week and also playing folk (traditional or modern), home to fiddles, guitar and piano classes, contemporary and bluegrass music; and delivered by none other than team Blazin’ anyone who just likes listening to good stuff. Fiddles and our fabulous guest tutors! www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
www.selkirksessions.com
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival
www.blazininbeauly.com
Biggar Little Festival Biggar
18-28 October Mid-October in Biggar means two weeks of arts highlighting the very best of our local cultural activity together with top class entertainment and artistry from across the country. We want to see local talent flourish in an atmosphere designed to give it a showcase. Biggar Little Festival sets out to work with the arts and crafts communities around the town to advance the arts www.biggar-little-festival.com
sound
Aberdeen+shire 24 October - 4 November sound this year features 40 concerts in 19 venues with exhibitions, workshops and other events complementing the live performances. The main strands in the festival are a showcase of the viola, the second in sound’s “endangered instruments” series (following the bassoon last year), and work by 50 female composers. www.sound-scotland.co.uk
St Andrew’s Voices St Andrews 25-28 October
Set in the beautiful town of St Andrews, each October we present a varied programme of events showcasing the versatility and beauty of the human voice in an amazingly broad spectrum of genres including opera, cabaret, lieder, folk, spoken word, choral, a cappella, early music, new music and more. The festival runs during the day and night and includes family concerts, opportunities to sing-a-long and get involved, as well as free events to enjoy while relaxing with a drink. Come along and discover something new! ‘St Andrews [Voices] is one of the few festivals anywhere to focus entirely on the voice in all its glory… an extraordinary festival… the variety is tremendous.’ BBC Radio 3 www.standrewsvoices.com
Dunfermline Folk Weekend Dunfermline 26-28 October
Celebrating the 15th Dunfermline Folk Weekend - A weekend of traditional and modern folk. There will be a celebration meal at The Glen Tavern on Friday 26th followed by a session. The other events song workshop, sessions and concerts will be held at The City Hotel. A walk with songs in historic Dunfermline will start at the City Hotel on Sunday morning. Dunfermline Folk Club aims to support all with an interest in Folk music, and give performers and appreciative listeners the chance to make and enjoy folk music. www.dunfermlinefolkclub.co.uk
NOVEMBER
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Denholm Folk Music Festival
Dundee 14-18 November
Dundee Jazz Festival will thrill music fans with more performances than ever before, Denholm covering many styles of jazz, including 1-4 November blues, afrobeat, soul, funk, big band and Latin. The record sales of 2017 especially to Folk fused with rock and country gives the 15th Denholm Folk Music Festival an added a younger audience, has encouraged the twist. This folk fusion festival in the Scottish organisers to commit to extra events, and countryside is a small and cozy affair not far not just to maintain the standards set in across the Scottish border which has always 2017, but to improve on them with a variety managed to attract quality headline acts to that will thrill audiences. compliment the workshops and open mic www.jazzdundee.co.uk sessions. Free sessions all weekend in the Auld Cross Keys, The Fox and Hounds & Scots Fiddle Festival Festival Club only. Sessions, licensed bar and meals available all weekend in the Edinburgh Festival Club, Lesser Hall. 16-18 November www.denholmfolkfest.co.uk
Aberfeldy Festival Aberfeldy 2-3 November
JANUARY 2019 Celtic Connections Glasgow 17 January - 3 February
From Thursday 17 January to Sunday 3 February 2019, musicians from across the globe will take part in over 300 events in venues throughout Glasgow for the largest winter music festival of its kind and the UK's premier celebration of Celtic music. The 18 days of entertainment will brighten up the dark, wet January nights with a mixture of concerts that include a host of one-off musical collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions.
Fiddle 2018 is moving to The Pleasance the well-known music and Fringe venue, www.celticconnections.com owned by The University of Edinburgh. It has recently had a £6 million refurbishment, taking its facilities to a new level, with greater accessibility and space options, enabling the Scots Fiddle Festival to take Oban Live place in one location. Oban 7-8 June 2019 www.scotsfiddlefestival.com
JUNE 2019
A wee cultural, music, poetry, drama and arts festival in the wonder of Highland Perthshire. The festival takes place the first weekend in November every year and the majority of it is held in Aberfeldy Townhall. The Line-up focuses on bands and music on the Scottish music scene that are maybe under represented but still have a good following or have had critical acclaim and played on radio stations like BBC6. Although that's not always the case nor an exclusive ruling on who we invite but we do try to include bands that have made an impact on the music scene in Scotland in that year. Ian Rankin has helped to curate for a number of years now and always has a good handle on what bands are worthy of a listen. We would love for you to come along - hang out and have a grin or a gin laugh, cry and just feel the rhythm. Help us Aberfeldy residents get through the winter by joining us for a bit of a party. And then we will keep you (not forever) but in the cellar to keep the hounds happy until May/ Juneish time. www.aberfeldyfestival.co.uk
Perthshire Amber -
Edinburgh's Christmas Edinburgh 16 November - 5 January
The sixth season of the world-famous Edinburgh’s Christmas! It takes place between 16 November 2018 and 5 January 2019 and remains one of the most popular Christmas celebrations in the UK. 2018 will see the biggest, brightest and best programme of events and entertainment to date. This year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas lights up with the spectacular Silent Light and sparkles with La Clique Noël – Part Deux’s metres of sequins! www.edinburghschristmas.co.uk
DECEMBER Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Edinburgh 31 December
The Dougie MacLean Festival Perthshire 2-4 November
Early bird tickets for Oban Live 2019, Argyll’s biggest outdoor music concert, are to go on sale on Saturday November 10, the event team has announced. The event, started in 2016 by one of Scotland’s finest musical exports Skerryvore, takes place on June 7 and 8 next year at Mossfield Stadium in Oban, Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. www.obanlive.com
JULY 2019 HebCelt Hebrides 18-20 July
Advance weekend tickets for next year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival, to be held from 18-20 July 2019, are available from the festival website. Day tickets and those for opening shows, late night activities and community events in Lewis and Harris go on sale next year when the full festival programme is finalised.
Tickets are now on sale with 10,000 Street Party tickets reserved for Edinburgh residents at discounted price of £20. After a www.hebceltfest.com successful Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 18 which The Perthshire Amber Festival brings saw festival goers snap up all tickets to together many musicians and entertainers events across the 3 days, and terrific from different parts of the world. This feedback on the revamped Street Party, unique festival shares Dougie’s inspiring Underbelly today announced tickets for this music, celebrates the history and culture of year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will go on sale Perthshire and showcases the beautiful at 10am on Monday 21 May. Tickets can be scenery. The concerts are staged in a bought online or on 0131 510 0395. variety of wonderful venues from Recognising the importance of support from prestigious theatres to atmospheric Dunkeld those who live in the city, Edinburgh’s Cathedral. Hogmanay is discounting 10,000 tickets for EH postcode holders, twice the number of www.perthshireamber.com musicnewsscotland@gmail.com last year. These tickets will be £20.
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