Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Paisley's The Spree Festival includes 'The Wee Spree' festival for kids (pictured) read all about it on page 5. www.thespree.co.uk
INSIDE: Ullapool Guitar Festival :: The Spree :: Blas :: True North :: sound :: Edinburgh's Hogmanay :: Belladrum ..... PLUS our Scottish music festival listings www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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Amazing line-up of talent at UGF '18 Ullapool :: 5-7 October :: www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com TICKETS @ www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
The 2018 Ullapool Guitar Festival takes place from 5-7 October.
and Chas Mackenzie; Innotet are; Seonaid Aitken, Patsy Reid, Alice Allen & Innes Watson; John Goldie, John Tracey, Johnny Dickinson, Julie Malischke, John Smith, Allan Neave and the students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who are appearing are Carmen Farfan Venezuela, Seungyeon Lee - Korea, Tommaso This is an amazing little festival which is literally Girotto - Australia and Samrat Majumder rammed full of talented artists that have all India; Soenke Meinen, Steve Hicks, Tim Edey, been attracted up to the beautiful setting of Tristan Seume, Will McNicol. Ullapool in the autumn - thanks to the energy and passion of organiser Richard Lindsay. James Gillies of Aonich Electronics has excelled himself this year and has donated a fantastic A fantastic value weekend ticket gains you entry Epiphone Archtop guitar which will be raffled at into everything that is happening over the three the Festival to raise funds for the 20th UGF in days; all workshops, the late night Festival Club 2019, you can pictures on the Festival web site. in the Macphail Centre, the Trade Show with James was also instrumental in us acquiring a something for all guitarists and of course all 5 Yamaha NTX700 gut string with cutaway and concerts. Weekend tickets are selling out fast so amazing onboard electronics; it comes with hard get in touch via the link above if you want one! case. This guitar will also be raffled over the Preparations for the UGF are well in hand with weekend - as with previous years you have to newly designed wristbands and new signage be in the auditorium to claim your prize though! throughout the Macphail Centre. Plus as a Each year Roger Bucknall donates one of his further improvement you will now be able to stunning Fylde Guitars to the Festival with all pre-order interval drinks giving more time to proceeds from the sale of the instrument going socialise! towards funding the following year's UGF. The list of artists appearing speaks for itself Adam Bulley, Amanda Cook, Aynsley Lister, Becky Langan, Chas Mackenzie, Clive Carroll, David Buckingham Quartet featuring Aloma De Balma, Manolo Nieto, Aubrey Richmond and Karo Sampela; Gareth Pearson, Hugh Burns, Innes Watson and the Guitar Colloquium featuring Barry Reid, Ali Hutton, Alyn Cosker
The UGF Trade Show is also shaping up rather well and of course UGF is looking forward to welcoming back the very wonderful Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars, along with James Doran, Sangirardi E. Cavicchi, G7th Capos, and Geoff Robb will also be there selling some very collectable cds. www.fyldeguitars.com
www.jamesdoranguitars.co.uk www.sangirardiecavicchi.com 'Winging it', now known as Adam Bulley and Chas Mackenzie, will be running the Festival Club which now takes place in the Macphail Centre after the main evening concert has finished so be prepared for lots of amazing music there too!! And looking ahead tickets for the 20th Festival on 2019 are on sale now and the first 3 tickets have already been sold!
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Motown legends Martha Reeves and the Vandellas among big name acts to play The Spree Festival Paisley :: 19-20 October :: www.thespree.co.uk Tickets @ www.thespree.co.uk/events/
Legends of Motown, rock and dance music head-up a stellar bill of acts that will play this year’s The Spree Festival in Paisley.
Often referred to as ‘The Hendrix of the Sahara’, Vieux Farka Touré continues to build his reputation as one of the world’s most talented and innovative musicians. Don't miss him at the famous Spiegeltent :: www.facebook.com/vieuxfarkatoure photo by Bill Akwa Betote
The festival of music, comedy, theatre and arts – now in its seventh year - will take place between the 12 and 20 October and will welcome Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, famous for tracks such as Dancing in the Street, Jimmy Mack and Heatwave, to Paisley Town Hall alongside the London African Gospel Choir who will perform Paul Simon’s Graceland on 20 October. Paisley returns to its punk roots by welcoming the Gang of Four to the iconic Spiegeltent in the town centre (19 Oct) bringing their unique mix of stripped-down punk rock, funk and dub. Renfrewshire Leisure have programmed a number of shows for the festival including favourites Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert (20 Oct) and Gaelic singer and ‘the Bard’ from SonyStarz Outlander, Gillebrìde MacMillan and friends who will perform compositions from Donald MacIntyre ‘The Paisley Bard’ at Paisley Arts Centre (18 Oct).
German musician, Wolfgang Flür (13 Oct).
There will be a real eclectic feel to the Spiegeltent bill this year with Vieux Farka Touré (16 Oct), described as the ‘Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara’ and son of the Grammy-winning Malian musician Ali Farka Touré, alt-country and The famous Spiegeltent will also host electronic Americana group, The Wandering Hearts (14 music legends and ambient house pioneers The Oct), rock bands The Leisure Society and Duke Orb (15 Oct) and former Kraftwerk member and Special (17 Oct), Scots super group Big Minds
Don't miss Scottish favourites Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert playing at Paisley Arts Centre on Saturday 20 October - it's a show not to be missed! :: www.hereliesthebody.com
featuring members of Simple Minds and Big Country (18 Oct), and a fantastic double-bill with Traceyanne & Danny (ex-Camera Obscura) and The Pastels (13 Oct). The popular Comedy Night will return to the tent with Des Clarke, Janey Godley and Stuart Mitchell (12 Oct) and the revelry continues with The Spree Ceilidh (12 & 19 Oct) which has the added bonus of being a free event. The festival also sees the return of the everpopular ModStuff and scooter ride-out (20 Oct) by LNP Promotions at the Spiegeltent with the proceeds going to local charities. The Wee Spree will also be back as part of the festival with plenty of fun activities to keep the kids entertained during the October holidays. Highlights include a musical fun day hosted by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and an exciting and unusual tour around Paisley with the National Theatre of Scotland supported by a soundtrack from local choirs. A full programme for The Wee Spree is available on The Spree website. The Spree is run by Renfrewshire Council and programmed by Synergy Concerts. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 18 July are available from the festival website at www.thespree.co.uk and from festival ticketing partner Ticketweb.
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Scotland’s young musical talent wows crowd at Blas festival finale On 15 September nearly 1,000 young musicians impressed a Highland crowd with an incredible showcase of Scottish music and culture, alongside the top names in traditional music at the Blas Festival finale. With support from the Year of Young People 2018 Event Fund, the Blas Festival, organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with The Highland Council, came to a close with an outstanding display of Scotland’s young musical talent in a largescale showcase, Òran Mòr, in Inverness. Meaning Great (or Big) Song, this musical extravaganza took place at a packed out Northern Meeting Park in the Highland capital and featured young musicians from Fèisean and various youth initiatives from across Scotland including the Highland Council Youth Music Groups, the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band. The audience was also treated to performances by some of the biggest names in traditional music including Trail West, Mischa Macpherson, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Breabach and Skipinnish – all of which were selected by the young musicians taking part on the day.
Gaidheal for all the support they’ve given me and the work they’ve done for Gaelic language and music over the last 30 years. It has been a wonderful day!”
musicians. And to be part of Òran Mòr today has Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of just been the icing on the cake! It was a brilliant Events, said: “Òran Mòr truly put Scotland’s feeling standing up on stage alongside my young people’s incredible talents centre stage at friends and professional musicians, entertaining this year’s Blas Festival. It is great to see that the crowd in Inverness! Blas Festival provides the organisers fully embraced the spirit of the young musicians like myself with the opportunity Year of Young People 2018 by creating exciting The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the to perform alongside some of the top Scottish opportunities for young people to get involved Year of Young People ensemble: a brand new traditional musicians at the moment at a variety both on stage as well as behind the scenes. The Gaelic song written by up-and-coming young of venues across the Highlands and Islands and I performances were not only a fantastic showcase Gaelic songwriter, Glasgow-based Gaelic hope to be involved again in the future!” of Gaelic music and Highland culture but also a student, Robbie MacLeòid. His song, Bèo an Dòchas (Living in Hope), was written specifically platform for the young musicians and composers Blas Festival aims to celebrate Gaelic culture and to share their passion for Scottish traditions and the thriving Scottish traditional music scene in for Òran Mòr and was sung by all the young venues across the Highlands and Islands, it heritage.” people, under the musical direction of Donald featured traditional musicians and singers Shaw and led by young Gaelic singer, Annia Alix Aburn, a Blas Festival Youth including Julie Fowlis, Wolfstone, Niteworks, MacGillivray from Tain, who impressed the Ambassador said: “I have been involved with Assynt, Alasdair Gillies and a new Gaelic song audience with her beautiful voice. Blas Festival this year as part of the Year of commission by BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Young People 2018 and the entire experience Robbie MacLeòid commented: “Writing this winner, Mischa Macpherson. song for Òran Mòr at this year’s Blas Festival has has been incredible. It has been an invaluable learning experience, discovering what goes on been an incredible experience and opportunity www.blas-festival.com for me. It is fantastic to be involved in an event behind the organisation of a festival like Blas and www.twitter.com/blasfestival getting to perform alongside some amazing like this and I am very grateful to Fèisean nan
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'True North' Festival shone a spotlight on mental health in music The topic of mental health and wellbeing in the music industry was brought to the fore last weekend during Aberdeen’s True North Festival, as industry experts and health professionals come together to discuss the issue.
the mns collection ….
The discussion wasn't all heavy and serious!
Sound Minds – one of two panel discussions that took place over the weekend, was a free event at the Education Studio in His Majesty’s Theatre where photographs by Richard Frew audience members had the chance to hear from a panel of industry experts and health professionals, North has been involved with curating the taking an in-depth look at this important issue. events. He said: ‘We were delighted to once again Supported by Help Musicians UK, the panel was made be involved in helping organise the panel discussions up of musician RM Hubbert, Specialist Psychologist at True North. This year’s panels were on two very (NHS / BAPAM) Calum Hendrie from Help Musicians important topics, and included invaluable advice for UK, Choose Life Co-ordinator Iain Murray and Halina both musicians and anyone involved or interested in Rifai from Halina Rifai from Podcart/Lost Art Agency. the industry as a whole. It’s great that these discussions happened in Aberdeen.” Sunday’s panel discussion, The F Word, provided a
unique opportunity for those with an interest in a future career in the music industry to gain invaluable advice on funding opportunities; from grants to crowdfunding, this is the place to learn all you need to know.
Aberdeen Performing Creative Learning Manager, Lisa Mathieson, said: “Aberdeen Performing Arts is a multi venue organisation who see a large number of artists and participants pass through our doors every week. We see it as our responsibility to both nurture talent by providing new Dougal Perman (Executive Chair, Scottish Music and young bands with the information that they need Industry Association), Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer from Creative Scotland, and Mike Macdermid, to get started in the industry. We also feel a duty of songwriter and artist, were on hand to field questions care to the bands and artists that we programme and the young people that we work with, meaning that we and pass on their valuable knowledge on a subject are keen to support their mental health and wellbeing which can often seem overwhelming. in any way that we can.” Hosting both panel discussions was music journalist www.truenorthfestival.co.uk Nicola Meighan. John Anderson, Co-ordinator at 57 Degrees
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RM Hubbert was on the panel discussing sound minds, mental health and wellbeing in the music industry
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'sound' unveils full programme for Aberdeenshire festival including a focus on 50 female composers Aberdeen+shire :: 24 October - 4 November :: www.sound-scotland.co.uk TICKETS @ www.sound-scotland.co.uk/festival/whats-on
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.
Endangered instruments 2: The Viola Acclaimed violist, Paris-based Garth Knox, returns to his childhood home in north-east Scotland as artist in residence. As well as performing work for viola, Knox will focus particularly on the viola d’amore bringing the baroque instrument bang up to date in the opening weekend of the festival. Knox will perform with Red Note Ensemble in the UK Premiere of a new work co-commissioned by sound from leading French composer, Oscar Strasnoy (26 October). The World Premiere will be given in mid October at the Donaueschinger Musiktage which co-commissioned the work with sound and Red Note. Garth will also perform in his own Ockeghem Fantasy for viola d’amore and 5 violas in a concert that brings together six leading violist and features the World Premiere of Sally Beamish’s new work for six violas (3 November); he will lead a viola day in Newton Dee (28 October) and be a leading participant in a Composers’ Day for viola and community musicians (3 November); he will also join foces with Stephen Upshaw and Nic Pendlebury for a late night soundsessions event for Viola and electronics (2 November).
Sally Beamish whose new work for six violas will have its World Premiere at sound :: www.facebook.com/sallybeamishmusic
Centre and a new version of Tallis’s Spem in Alium by violist Nic Pendlebury (Smith Quartet). The forty vocal lines are replaced by forty electric violas. Each line is played through individual speakers which surround the audience.
(violin), Laura Jane-Wilkie (viola/ violin), Mario Caribe (double bass) in a performance of his Letters for Peace, inspired by letters written by conscientious objectors who refused conscription to fight during the First World War. The work illustrates the futility of war through the words of objectors and will engage with the public Additionally there will be pop up viola perception of war and highlight the sacrifices performances happening across the City and made by objectors in the name of peace. On 27 ‘shire throughout the festival. October new Aberdeen ensemble, Kairos, will bring together a collection of chamber music as Work by over 50 female a meditation on the realities of war including composers featured in festival Mohammed Fairouz Refugee Blues for soprano Among the 50 female composers featured in the and piano, Karl Jenkins Benedictus from The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace for violin, organ 2018 festival are Diana Burrell, whose 70th and soprano, Bernstein Halil for flute, percussion birthday on 25 October is marked by a special concert, and Sally Beamish whose new work for and a new work for percussion and piano by Among the viola related events popping up 6 violas will have its World Premiere in a concert John Frederick Hudson. across the festival are a Composers’ Day: which also features Garth Knox’s Ockeghem composing for viola and community musicians (3 Workshops, Masterclasses Fantasia. November) featuring talks by composers Sally and Family friendly events Beamish and John De Simone and viola player/ Other female composers premiering work at the festival include Anna Appleby, Deirdre McKay Family friendly and all age events include The composer Garth Knox, a Viola Exhibition Science of Strings, an interactive workshop with presented in association with Aberdeen Science Pippa Murphy and Diana Salazar. Meanwhile, A trio from sound’s associate ensemble, Red Note, Yann Seznec, Do Whales Sing? (Family-friendly will premiere five new works for flute, viola and concert) with James Turnbull (oboe) and the cello by Scottish-based women composers Lisa ever popular family-friendly promenade concert, Robertson, Aileen Sweeney, Electra Perivolaris, which this year includes Garth Knox perfoming Lucy Hollingworth, and Sarah Rimkus, (27 work by Marais on the viola d’amore and Pete October) developed during a residential Stollery performing Paul Rudy’s Degrees of weekend which will take place in Aberdeenshire Separation: Grandchild of Tree for amplified this month. cactus and electronics and and James Turnbull performing Emily Doolittle’s Social Sounds from Icebreaker: System Restart (2 November) will Whales at Night. include works by Anna Meredith, Jobina Elizabeth Kelly, Kerry Andrew, Linda Buckley This year there will be two master-classes for and Kate Moore This concert will be broadcast young musicians during the festival: one with by BBC Radio 3 Matthew Schellhorn and Diana Burrell, and one with leading French group Ensemble 2e2m. Complementing the live performances of work Meanwhile, Go Compose, sound’s 3-day by female composers will be a discussion on intensive young composers course, returns for Saturday 27 October. 50:50 Equal opportunities the 7th year. Once again young composers will for composers will be led by Lucy Hollingworth. gather at Woodend Barn to work with members of sound Associate Artists, Red Note Ensemble Concerts marking the and the outcomes of the course will be end of World War I performed in a special concert on 16 October. On 25 October Graeme Stephen will be joined This November is the centenary of the WWI by Aidan O’Rourke (pictured above), Laura www.sound-scotland.co.uk Jane-Wilkie, Mario Caribe in a performance of Armistice. This anniversary will be marked in www.twitter.com/soundscotland two concerts. On 25 October Graeme Stephen his Letters for Peace. www.facebook.com/soundscotland (guitar) will be joined by Aidan O’Rourke :: photo by Peter McNally
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Edinburgh’s Hogmanay announces full programme with Scotland's Franz Ferdinand leading the musical cocktail Edinburgh :: 30 December - 1 January :: www.edinburghshogmanay.com TICKETS @ www.edinburghshogmanay.com
Edinburgh’s 'Hogmanay 19' builds on the success of last year’s festival with new events, the return of much loved traditions and the continuing evolution of its centrepiece Street Party that keeps the celebration going all evening. The three-day festival opens on 30 December when marking the end of the Year of Young People 2018, youth 'Pipes & Drum' bands will lead the stunning traditional Torchlight Procession which will see a river of light weave its way through the historic heart of the city, down the Royal Mile, around Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament before culminating in a stunning visual moment in Holyrood Park.
Inverness' Elephant Sessions play the South St David Street Stage :: www.facebook.com/elephantsessions
there is nowhere in the world like Scotland to celebrate it. Just thinking about bringing in the bells in Edinburgh gets me excited. It’s going to The magical and much-loved Candlelit Concert be some night!” in St Giles’ Cathedral returns on the 30 One of the most idiosyncratic British acts of December capturing the splendour of the court of Versailles with Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te recent decades, Metronomy - impossible to pin down and equally as hard not to fall in love Deum, famous for its iconic opening fanfare. with - supports alongside Free Love, the latest The Baroque theme continues with J.S.Bach’s cantata for the last Sunday of the year, Gottlob! manifestation of Scottish duo Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook (FKA Happy Meals), and a Nun geht das jahr zu Ende BWV 28, and the continuation and progression of their utopian concert concludes with festive exuberance in dance pop experiments. Bach’s Magnificat. The concert will be accompanied by the St Giles' Cathedral Choir, Music is at the heart of the Street Party hosted directed by Michael Harris, with the St Giles' this year by Johnnie Walker whisky and Camerata, leader Angus Ramsay, joined by a Edinburgh’s 'Hogmanay 19' brings some of the stunning array of talented young soloists. hottest acts of 2018 to New Year revellers across 3 stages. The spectacular McEwan Hall becomes a new venue for Hogmanay this year, hosting events Headlining the Waverley Stage is Gerry on both the 30 December and 1 January. On the Cinnamon topping off a whirlwind year of 30 December, Symphonic Ibiza fuses a live 15 festival appearances, sell-out tours when he piece orchestra with renowned club DJ Andy blasted onto the scene as one of the best live Joyce (Cream, Eden, Ministry of Sound, acts in the UK. Also playing the Waverley Stage Creamfields) to create a stirring concert of club are the Edinburgh band Vistas and Snap! the classics under the amazing dome of McEwan German Eurodance outfit whose hits The Power Hall. The show comes off the back of a BBC and Rhythm is a Dancer regularly fill Radio 1 performance in Ibiza this summer and dancefloors. makes its UK premiere at Edinburgh’s Taking to the stage in South St David’s Street is Hogmanay. Elephant Sessions, the indie folk foursome Kids love fireworks just as much as adults. So, from the Highlands who lifted BBC Scotland’s on 31 December, the celebrations kick off early Trad Music Album of the Year in 2017. Acclaimed for local and visiting families to have the Edinburgh band Miracle Glass Company brings opportunity to celebrate New Year together in its vibrant, psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll and Hamburg West Princes Street Gardens at Bairns Afore. based Meute will wow the party-goers with its Massaoke, the live band and singalong one-of-a-kind, live drum and brass sensation that is sweeping the UK from arrangements of well-known techno and house Glastonbury Festival to the Edinburgh Festival numbers. Fringe will have everyone dancing and singing Headlining the DJ stage in Castle Street is DJ their hearts out before a stunning ‘midnight’ Judge Jules, taking the audiences up to the fireworks moment at 6pm that gives the young midnight moment. Local powerhouse Trendy their midnight moment and sets the scene for a Wendy kicks off proceedings with her trademark spectacular night. 21 Century disco and the Mac Twins are set to The Concert in the Gardens at the foot of Castle make sure the party turns up a notch after Rock is at the heart of all the actual Hogmanay midnight, taking dancers through to 1am. celebrations. Scotland’s favourite indie band Whether your taste is indie or Europop, Silent Franz Ferdinand headlines Edinburgh’s Disco has a playlist for you. Don your Hogmanay, the biggest New Year celebration in headphones on Market Street, choose your the UK, for the first time, topping off a fantastic channel and get ready to learn some groovy new year which kicked off with their new album moves this Hogmanay. Always Ascending. With some of the most danceable, chantable indie anthems of the last Last year, the festival asked up-and-coming two decades, Alex Kapranos and co. have built a Scottish band Niteworks to compose the reputation for truly electrifying live shows. soundtrack for the Midnight Moment fireworks. Continuing this theme and in keeping with this Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, said year’s celebration of Europe, Edinburgh’s “Hogmanay is the greatest party of the year and
Hogmanay has commissioned a soundtrack to the fireworks from German band, Meute, who will also perform on the stage on South St. David Street. Meute are working with awardwinning composer and sound designer Dan Jones, who will also sound design the Street Party arena. Underbelly has reassembled last year’s fantastic creative team of sound, light, audio visual and production designers to build on the Street Party celebrations on the 31st December. The team is once again led by Martin Green, one of the UK's leading live event producers. There is the opportunity to dance the night away in the best spot in the country at the Ceilidh under the Castle. Whirl or jig, fling or be flung, join hands with old friends and new to dance in the New Year with Scotland’s top ceilidh bands – The Jimmy Shandrix Experience, Hugh MacDairmid’s Haircut and Ceilidhdonian and plenty of local food and drink to keep you spinning all night. New Year’s Day will see McEwan Hall transformed by Celtic sounds and celebration throughout the day, kicking off in the morning with a free to attend First Footers Family Ceilidh. In an exciting new collaboration between Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, two fantastic concerts take place in the afternoon and evening. Capercaillie with special guests at 4pm brings a traditional Scottish knees up to McEwan Hall. Capercaillie is inviting guest musicians to join them to bring the sounds of the European family of nations together in an afternoon of shared cultural celebration. Then at 8pm, international Galician folk star Carlos Nunez joins special guests from the cream of the Scottish music scene for a very special evening of musical exchange. Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, said: “For the first time Celtic Connections is delighted to partner Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations by bringing unique concerts to the incredible surroundings of McEwan Hall on New Year’s day. These performances will celebrate an exciting mix of the very best in Scotland’s roots music scene with seminal band Capercaillie along with the extraordinary European folk traditions of Galician piper Carlos Nunez’'
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CDs @ www.atthehelmrecords.bigcartel.com/product/dean-owens-southern-wind-cd-pre-order-special-out-16th-feb Downloads @ www.smarturl.it/SouthernWind
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MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS - MUSIC FESTIVALS mns festival review :: report + photos by Katy Whitelaw
Beautiful Bollywood 'Bella' has us leaving our heart in the Highlands read Katy's full review and follow her blogs @ www.mixtapemum.wordpress.com/2018/08/24/belladrum-family-festival-review-2018/
One of Scotland’s friendliest family festivals with music to quench every taste, Belladrum 2018 was a delight to attend.
The LaFontaines :: www.facebook.com/thelafontainesmusic
Musical highlights were abundant over the weekend but stand out poignant moment came on the Friday evening. The Charlatans song North Country Boy was dedicated especially to the Highland Bella crowd, before the band were joined onstage by Grant Hutchison and Billy Kennedy from Frightened Rabbit for FR song Head Rolls Off. The song was a stunning emotional tribute to Grant’s brother Scott – lead singer of FR who died earlier this year. FR were on the line up to play Belladrum this year before the tragic incident. Tears openly flowed amongst the crowd and fans – strangers brought together by the love of the 'Music of Frightened Rabbit' – and they hugged and quietly consoled one another at The Hothouse Stage later that evening as they watched a video tribute and the band’s album – The Midnight Organ Fight – played in full. Artist Michael Corr’s mural of the singer was displayed outside and a collection was taken for the Scottish Association for Mental Health. Amongst many flying the flag for Scottish acts on the main stage Amy McDonald, The LaFontaines, Tide Lines and The Dangleberries all managed to get the crowd energised throughout the weekend and the ever-gallus Gerry Cinnamon radiated sheer joy at the reaction of the Bella crowd with singalong snapshots of Glasgow life with songs like Belter. Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 had their yellow army out in force and had brought their kids along to join in the fun with mini Dijon’s flossing and breakdancing on the stage. Kooky and colourful Paloma Faith who was fighting illness to attend, was fantastic but hampered by technical sound difficulties leaving
the singer frustrated at the start of her set. Primal Scream were epic and delighted the crowd by changing the lyrics to Country Girl to “Highland girl” and were one of our kids’ favourite acts of the whole weekend.
www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk www.facebook.com/belladrum www.twitter.com/BelladrumFest
Attending with three kids under eight, the event was brilliantly catered for with a huge amount for the kids to see and do alongside the great music on offer. The Walled Garden and children’s area was superb - we spent hours there over the weekend between bands. The site is compact enough for the kids to walk around without getting too tired out and Bella has created a safe, friendly, relaxed atmosphere which our children adored. Bella is a vibrant family festival with a big heart - one which we will definitely return to.
Bellas' 'Rock School' encourages future talent to play the Main Stage!
Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie :: www.facebook.com/primalscreamofficial
email your festival news to alastair.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com SEPTEMBER
Tenement Trail is a multi-venue music festival in Glasgow. Taking place on Saturday 29 September it is one ticket to Torridon Mountain over 12 hours of live music across 10 & Sea Festival venues with 60+ bands. 10 venues. The Cribs will headline this year's TT18 and will Torridon, Highlands be joined by Yonaka, Tijuana Bibles, The 27-30 September Blinders, Man of Moon, Acrylic, Airways, The Mountain and Sea Festival has emerged Aaron Smith, BETA WAVES, Cheap Teeth, from the annual Torridon Walking and Ale Easy Life, Fabric Bear, Harry & The Festival and now incorporates both events Hendersons, Honey Lung, Indigo Velvet, Liza together with a whole host of adventure Anne, Low Island, Luna the Professor, activities available. At the festival we offer Marsicans, Oddity Road, Onr., Parliamo, sea kayaking, mountain biking, Munro Rose Dive, The Howl & The Hum, The Van walking, local food, plenty of Scottish real T's, Vistas, Walt Disco, whenyoung, wojtek ale and great live music from Hò-Rò, the bear + Zoe Graham. Schiehallion and Mystic Shoes We hope that www.facebook.com/tenementtrail/ the festival offers something to suit everyone while offering the opportunity to make new friends in a welcoming and ultimately unforgettable place.
OCTOBER
Selkirk Sessions Selkirk 5-7 October
2014 is the 13th of the Selkirk Sessions Traditional Music Festival and flows on from the two previous Both Sides of the Tweed Festivals which ceased in 2005. Selkirk Sessions welcomes all musicians who enjoy playing folk (traditional or modern), contemporary and bluegrass music; and anyone who just likes listening to good stuff. www.selkirksessions.com
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Shetland 11-15 October
Glasgow Americana
This the 31st festival presents the best in traditional music from Shetland, Scotland, Glasgow Ireland and Scandinavia. The Shetland 3-7 October Orkney Blues Weekend Accordion and Fiddle Club promotes the best Orkney in tradional Shetland music, holding events Glasgow Americana has lined up ten gigs 28-30 September 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 onAnother spectacular weekend of blues www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com awaits us in late summer. A medley of solo stage action for the 12th Glasgow Americana will take place at six city venues artists, bands and jams hosted by the port from October 3-7. Fans will be able to enjoy town of Stromness spread across several The Royal National Mod two gigs on Festival Friday, three on the local venues. The Orkney Blues Festival Saturday and the Sunday, including a trio of Paisley brings together local and national artists 12-20 October matinee performances, plus two album across multiple venues for a blistering weekend of blues music, year after year. All launches. The Royal National Mod will take place in events are free of charge, with the Dunoon in 2018. The Feis events will take www.glasgowamericana.com exception of the Grand Finale at The place in local hotels, public houses and local Stromness Hotel. This event will host all of central venues. An Comunn Gàidhealach is Feis na Mara the Headlining Acts from the festival. one of the oldest and most respected Gaelic Arisaig organisations. Founded in Oban in 1891, it www.orkneyblues.co.uk 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 Callander Jazz and Blues language and the study and cultivation of Mara".3 days of predominantly Scottish Gaelic literature, history, music and art. Festival music from traditional to modern in the beautiful West Coast, at the end of the Road www.ancomunn.co.uk Callander to the Isles. The best wee festival in the 28-30 September west returns with the mother of line-ups! The Spree The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival is the And to a few miles down the road, in the Paisley largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland beautiful wee village of Arisaig. 14-22 October and is firmly established on the UK festival www.feis-na-mara.com map. First held back in 2006, the festival Legends of Motown, rock and dance music has grown every year, with this years event head-up a stellar bill of acts that will play featuring over 50 gigs at 11 venues, Ullapool Guitar Festival this year’s The Spree Festival in Paisley. The performing live jazz, blues, soul and boogie Ullapool festival of music, comedy, theatre and arts – over 3 days. From solo artists to big bands, 5-7 October now in its seventh year - will take place over 150 musicians ensure a long weekend between the 12 and 20 October and will of great music in the autumn splendour of This is an amazing little festival which is welcome Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Trossachs. Come and join us for a literally rammed full of talented artists that famous for tracks such as Dancing in the fantastic weekend of fun and music in the have all been attracted up to the beautiful beautiful setting of Callander, situated only setting of Ullapool in the autumn - thanks to Street, Jimmy Mack and Heatwave, to Paisley Town Hall alongside the London 16 miles from the M9 on the main A84 the energy and passion of organiser Richard African Gospel Choir who will perform Paul trunk road at the eastern gateway to the Lindsay. A fantastic value weekend ticket Simon’s Graceland on 20 October. For Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. gains you entry into everything that is tickets and more info, see Whatever your taste in music, come along happening over the three days; all and enjoy the atmosphere of the 13th workshops, the late night Festival Club in www.thespree.co.uk annual Callander Jazz and Blues Festival. the Macphail Centre, the Trade Show with something for all guitarists and of course all www.callanderjazz.com 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 Tenement Trail want one! Glasgow Since 2001, Blazin’ Fiddles have hosted a www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com 29 September www.mountainandseafestival.co.uk/music/
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com wonderful week of tuition, concerts, ceilidhs and craic, welcoming thousands of folk to the little town of Beauly in the Highlands of Scotland. A short drive from Inverness, Beauly is a gem of a place, a truly welcoming town where everyone is part of the community. The classes take place all over the town; The Phipps Hall, Morison’s Iron Mongers, The Caley Hotel, The British Legion and of course The Lovat Hotel – Blazers head quarters for the week and also home to fiddles, guitar and piano classes, delivered by none other than team Blazin’ Fiddles and our fabulous guest tutors! www.blazininbeauly.com
Dunfermline 26-28 October
Perthshire Amber -
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.
The Perthshire Amber Festival brings together many musicians and entertainers from different parts of the world. This unique festival shares Dougie’s inspiring music, celebrates the history and culture of Perthshire and showcases the beautiful scenery. The concerts are staged in a variety of wonderful venues from prestigious theatres to atmospheric Dunkeld Cathedral.
The Dougie MacLean Festival Perthshire 2-4 November
www.dunfermlinefolkclub.co.uk
www.perthshireamber.com
Biggar 18-28 October
NOVEMBER
Scots Fiddle Festival
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
Denholm Folk Music Festival
Biggar Little Festival
www.biggar-little-festival.com
sound
Aberdeen+shire 24 October - 4 November
Edinburgh 16-18 November
Fiddle 2018 is moving to The Pleasance the well-known music and Fringe venue, Denholm owned by The University of Edinburgh. It 1-4 November has recently had a £6 million refurbishment, taking its facilities to a new level, with Folk fused with rock and country gives the greater accessibility and space options, 15th Denholm Folk Music Festival an added enabling the Scots Fiddle Festival to take twist. This folk fusion festival in the Scottish place in one location. countryside is a small and cozy affair not far across the Scottish border which has always www.scotsfiddlefestival.com managed to attract quality headline acts to compliment the workshops and open mic sessions. Free sessions all weekend in the Auld Cross Keys, The Fox and Hounds & Festival Club only. Sessions, licensed bar Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and meals available all weekend in the Edinburgh Festival Club, Lesser Hall. 31 December
DECEMBER
sound this year features 40 concerts in 19 venues with exhibitions, workshops and other events complementing the live www.denholmfolkfest.co.uk performances. The main strands in the festival are a showcase of the viola, the second in sound’s “endangered instruments” Aberfeldy Festival series (following the bassoon last year), and Aberfeldy work by 50 female composers. 2-3 November
Tickets are now on sale with 10,000 Street Party tickets reserved for Edinburgh residents at discounted price of £20. After a successful Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 18 which saw festival goers snap up all tickets to events across the 3 days, and terrific www.sound-scotland.co.uk A wee cultural, music, poetry, drama and feedback on the revamped Street Party, arts festival in the wonder of Highland Underbelly today announced tickets for this Perthshire. The festival takes place the first year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will go on sale St Andrew’s Voices weekend in November every year and the at 10am on Monday 21 May. Tickets can be St Andrews majority of it is held in Aberfeldy Townhall. bought online or on 0131 510 0395. 25-28 October The Line-up focuses on bands and music on Recognising the importance of support from the Scottish music scene that are maybe those who live in the city, Edinburgh’s Set in the beautiful town of St Andrews, under represented but still have a good Hogmanay is discounting 10,000 tickets for each October we present a varied following or have had critical acclaim and EH postcode holders, twice the number of programme of events showcasing the versatility and beauty of the human voice in played on radio stations like BBC6. Although last year. These tickets will be £20. that's not always the case nor an exclusive an amazingly broad spectrum of genres www.edinburghshogmanay.com ruling on who we invite but we do try to including opera, cabaret, lieder, folk, include bands that have made an impact on spoken word, choral, a cappella, early the music scene in Scotland in that year. music, new music and more. The festival runs during the day and night and includes Ian Rankin has helped to curate for a family concerts, opportunities to sing-a-long number of years now and always has a good handle on what bands are worthy of a and get involved, as well as free events to listen. We would love for you to come enjoy while relaxing with a drink. Come along - hang out and have a grin or a gin along and discover something new! ‘St Andrews [Voices] is one of the few festivals laugh, cry and just feel the rhythm. Help us Aberfeldy residents get through the winter anywhere to focus entirely on the voice in all its glory… an extraordinary festival… the by joining us for a bit of a party. And then we will keep you (not forever) but in the variety is tremendous.’ BBC Radio 3 cellar to keep the hounds happy until May/ Juneish time. www.standrewsvoices.com musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
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Dunfermline Folk Weekend
www.aberfeldyfestival.co.uk
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