Pictured: BLUE ROSE CODE plays '100 Bands on the Border' festival on 12 September : see page 5

www.100bands.co.uk www.bluerosecode.com

Photo by Zoe Barrie

INSIDE:

Midstock : 100 Bands Festival : The Spree : Dundee Celt Fest : Linlithgow Folk Festival : Ullapool Guitar Festival : Wickerman : Midfest : Blas Festival

..... plus 3 pages of Scottish festival listings

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

Festivals!

Scotland's Music

the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland

page 2 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

www.bringitallhome.co.uk

fb @ www.facebook.com/BringItAllHome tweet @ https://twitter.com/BIAHFestival

www.blas-festival.com

web @ www.blas-festival.com tweet @ https://twitter.com/blasfestival

www.MidstockFestival.com

tickets @ http://midstockfestival.com/buy-tickets/ facebook @ www.facebook.com/pages/Midstock-Festival/464917586993217

www.100bands.co.uk www.facebook.com/100-bands

https://thelittleboxoffice.com/borderevents/

web @ www.100bands.co.uk tickets @ https://thelittleboxoffice.com/borderevents/

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

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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.scottishmusiccentre.com www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre www.twitter.com/scottishmusic

At the heart of Midstock Festival there’s music, food and fun; what more could you want on a balmy September day? Midstock invites families, music-lovers and party animals alike to Dalkeith Country Park to enjoy the late-summer sunshine - hopefully! Headlining this year's festival are melodic indierockers THE FRATELLIS and joining them on the bill are FISH, THE HOOSIERS, THE OOH LA LAS, THE RAHS, FATHERSON, THE VOLTS, REWIND and THE FLAVOURS .... plus DJ MC MALLORCA LEE with an ultra-sonic anthems set.

With bars serving Scottish ales and more local food stalls than you can shake a stick at, the family fun day and headline acts are not the only things to get excited about. Midstock’s eclectic mix of daytime fun, big name rock bands and the best of upcoming Scottish talent offer something for everyone, and their late acts will guarantee you’re partying until dark. Grab your dancing shoes (and maybe your wellies) and experience Scotland’s biggest small festival! Organisers Willie Slight and Scott St Clair Gunn dreamed up Midstock after their catering company, The Scullery, fed hungry Tough Mudder competitors at Dalkeith Country Park. Dalkeith resident Willie realised the area was crying out for a home-grown festival, so he and Scott decided to create their own at the picturesque estate. Without a drop of experience in the festival ocean, Willie and Scott set out to fill the park with a festival that showcased the best of Scottish musical talent and set the pace for a week-long music, comedy and arts extravaganza in Midlothian. https://twitter.com/MidstockFest www.facebook.com/pages/Midstock-Festival/464917586993217

The Fratellis, Fish, Fatherson and many more at Midstock this weekend in Dalkeith

Dalkeith : 12 September : www.midstockfestival.com

TICKETS! @ http://midstockfestival.com/buy-tickets/

www.midstockfestival.com

page 4 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/truenorth

web @ www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/truenorth APA on fb @ www.facebook.com/AberdeenPerformingArts

www.ticketweb.co.uk

www.glasgowamericana.com

web @ www.glasgowamericana.com fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Glasgow-Americana/137637266274105

www.dundeeceltfest.com

dundeeceltfest@outlook.com https://dcf2015.eventbrite.com

fb @ www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest tweet @ https://twitter.com/Dundeeceltfest

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tickets available now @ www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ullapool-Guitar-Festival/201560546591552

2nd, 3rd, 4th October 2015

A new Scottish Borders music festival launches this weekend with Donnie Munro, Blue Rose Code, Samba Sene & Diwan, Zoe Bestel, Georgia Gordon, Cara Mitchell + many others! Galashiels, Scottish Borders : 11-13 September : www.100bands.co.uk

This unique new music festival being held in the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels this weekend offers a wide variety of live acts and bands - all strutting their stuff in a range of venues of all sizes, within the pubs, clubs and on the street corners, throughout the town. Visitors and locals alike will have the opportunity of seeing professional musicians and gifted amateurs, as the town fills with the sound of music and laughter, and all for a staggeringly reasonable price. So if you are looking for a wonderful experience, great fun, company and entertainment, then Galashiels is the place for you from Friday 11 September until Sunday 13 September.

Everywhere is the venue and everybody’s welcome to the party. The Borders have long been closely associated with a number of characteristic features that are as unique as the Region itself and from now on we hope that this music festival will become an annual event, offering visitors a great opportunity to visit the Scottish Borders.

100 Bands is a town centre music festival in various venues and all within walking distance of each other, it will have entertainment for all ages, including daytime acts, and evening performances extending late on into the night. First Bus run a direct bus service from Carlisle, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. And the exciting new Scotrail train line from Edinburgh, running directly to the Borders, bringing you directly to the heart of the festival, into the town of Galashiels.

Pricing varies - Friday night is £10 or you can purchase a Sat/Sun pass for £20, which allows access to main outdoor arena and multiple venue's.

TICKETS! @ www.100bands.co.uk/#pricing

www.100bands.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/100-Bands/1102121166483121

page 6 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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tour info @ www.brookfield-knights.com/up-coming-tours.html act @ http://bettyandtheboy.com/

www.facebook.com/thespreefestival https://twitter.com/SpreeFestival

www.thespree.co.uk

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Your chance to join bill at this year’s Spree festival Paisley : 9-17 October : www.thespree.co.uk

Talented acts from Renfrewshire and beyond are getting the chance to appear on the bill at this year’s Spree festival. The annual event – on in Paisley this October – will see the return of the DANNY KYLE OPEN STAGE made famous by Glasgow’s Celtic Connections event.

The stage – named after the Paisley-born folk legend – will be broadcast live on Celtic Music Radio each night, and aims to provide a platform for the best unsigned musical talent. It will take place every weekday of the festival in the specially-erected Spiegeltent in County Square at 5pm each night, and will be free to enter.

The best acts from the week will be invited back to attend the final-night showcase on Friday 16 October.

The top prize for the winner is a full day (eight hours) recording at Paisley’s Brick Lane studios, while two other acts will be selected to receive a session on Celtic Music Radio.

You can download an application form now via the Danny Kyle Open Stage page in the What’s On section of www.thespree.co.uk

Last year’s Danny Kyle Open Stage saw four winners – local band LEMONHAZE, MARTHA L HEALY, DAVID NICOL and KATEE KROSS.

The event’s organiser and presenter Liz Clark said: “The Danny Kyle Open Stage has been a great platform to launch many an artist over the last 16 years, with over 3,000 applications and 1,400 acts having appeared on the stage.

“It has made sure talent and music gets out there and I would encourage all musical talent from Paisley and Glasgow to get their application in by 26 September to hopefully find a slot.”

The Spree festival is run by Renfrewshire Council as part of the push towards the area’s

bid for UK City of Culture 2021.

The musical centrepiece of this year’s festival is a sold-out show in Paisley Abbey with Scottish rockers IDLEWILD alongside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Other musical acts set to feature include James Grant, Karen Matheson, Aidan Moffat, James Yorkston, Karine Polwart, Barbara Dickson, Horse McDonald and Scottish Album of the Year 2015 winner Kathryn Joseph.

There will also be two Best of Scottish Comedy shows in association with The Stand Comedy Club and a full programme of children’s events for the October week.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan added: “We are delighted to welcome the Danny Kyle Open Stage back to Paisley for another Spree.

“It has provided a great platform for unsigned talent in years gone by and I am sure this year’s event will help unearth even more stars of the future.”

www.thespree.co.uk https://twitter.com/SpreeFestival www.facebook.com/thespreefestival

TICKETS! @ www.thespree.co.uk/events/

The Danny Kyle Open Stage at Spree 2014 with Katee Kross performing : www.facebook.com/KateeKross

page 8 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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the mns collection ….

Read the three MNS digital publications

from links at ..

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

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DCF Tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dundee-celt-fest-2015-tickets-15951379004

Dundee Celt Fest: Year one for a festival in tribute to Dundee's celtic/folk heritage Dundee : 18-20 September : www.dundeeceltfest.com

Dundee has contributed greatly over the years to celtic rock and folk music, and it was only a matter of time before a celtic/folk festival in Dundee surfaced to pay tribute to that heritage. So later this month the very first Celtic Rock and Folk Festival will take place over three days with firm plans for it to continue year on year afterwards. A host of great bands have been lined up with the headliners being DONNIE MUNRO with his full 8 piece band and the amazing celtic rock band COAST, plus TED CHRISTOPHER and his band "BANNOCKBURN" and Dundees own GRAHAM BROWN BAND and many more. All of this in the warm and dry setting of Buskers, on Dundee's Ward Road - over 14 only. The full festival line-up is: Friday 18 September (tickets £10): The Lorelei, Clann An Drumma, Graham Brown Band. Saturday [afternoon] 19 September (Free): Iona Fyfe, Tir Na Nog. Saturday [night] 19 September

(Tickets £25): Lindsay & Friends, Donnie Munro and his full band. Sunday [afternoon] 20 September (Free): Allan Hunt, Bobby Brady, Ted Christopher & Bannockburn. Sunday [night] 20 September (tickets £25): Pauline Alexander & Edwin Gallacher, Coast. You can join the facebook festival event page @ www.facebook.com/events/369045756613611/

www.dundeeceltfest.com www.facebook.com/buskers

www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest https://twitter.com/Dundeeceltfest

COAST : www.facebook.com/officialcoast

page 10 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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www.deborahwelsh.co.uk T: 07788 101465 : E: deborahwelsh@icloud.com

Make your music headline news with Deborah Welsh Commercial Media

Specialist PR and publicity consultant based in Scotland

• Musical Theatre • Festivals • Concerts • Tours • Album Releases

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The highly-acclaimed singer and instrumentalist, EMILY SMITH, will be the headline act at this weekend's Linlithgow Folk Festival.

Emily recently began a fresh chapter in her illustrious award-winning, TV appearing career with the launch of her fifth solo album "Echoes". Hailed as "the freshest sounding Folk album in an age", it was warmly received on both sides of the Atlantic. She will be joined by her band for the headline concert on Saturday 12 September, the high point of the 17th Linlithgow Folk Festival, running from the 9-13 September.

First staged in 1999, the five-day celebration of traditional music, dance and song is firmly established on the traditional music scene and all the mainstay events, unique to Linlithgow, will take place again. These include the musical cruises on the canal, the family ceilidh at the Vennel, the Hub at the Masonic Hall, the Bluegrass concert and Gospel session, and the outdoor Nora Devine Stage at the Cross. The Black Bitch Tavern and other hostelries will also be hosting musical sessions, which are always a huge part of any folk festival.

The organisers are not resting on their laurels, however and there will be several innovations this year. One of these is a Blues Night in Linlithgow Bowling Club in Philip Avenue with Blue Dubh, who have performed all over Scotland and been regular visitors to top music festivals. There will also be a new children's show at the Cross on the Saturday morning, featuring budding young performers, including the Linlithgow Community Children's Choir.

Festival secretary, Jonathan Moore, explained: "We are trying to keep things fresh,

as well as continuing to raise the bar. This year, various new events will be taking place, along with all the old favourites. There is something for everyone over the five days of the Festival and we are encouraging as many people as possible to come along and get involved. We are hoping to add in other events in the build-up to the Festival, bringing new venues into play. The printed programme is not an exhaustive list and there is plenty of scope for other events to be added in. We are keen to see as many people as possible taking part".

As in previous years, the 'Oot n Aboot' initiative will be taking the Festival out to the wider community, as Jonathan Moore explained: “The 'Oot n Aboot' team will be performing at various venues, including the canal centre, Annet House and Brae Court sheltered housing, where the residents are always royally entertained”

Bluegrass music has been a popular feature of the Linlithgow Folk Festival for many years now and Jonathan says that fans of the genre are in for a real treat - "This year's offering will see a double-bill concert with the MAIRS FAMILY BAND and the DAPPER MCDANS in the Queen Margaret Hall on the Friday night and the famous Bluegrass gospel session in the Masonic Hall on the Sunday morning".

The outdoor Nora Devine Stage at the Cross on the Saturday and Sunday will provide budding entertainers with an opportunity to showcase their talents at the very heart of the Festival. A comprehensive programme has been arranged, featuring musicians and singers of all ages.

Full details of the programme can be found in the 12-page full colour Folk Festival guide, available at the Burgh halls and other local outlets. There is also a comprehensive run down on the festival website.

Most of the Festival events are free, including

the Nora Devine Stage at the Cross. Payment for ticketed events can be made at the box office in the Burgh Halls, Linlithgow, tel. 01506 282720. An online ticketing service is available via www.linlithgowfolk.yapsody.com

The Folk Festival Association's strap line is Friendly folk in Linlithgow and a warm welcome is assured to festival-goers from home and abroad.

www.linlithgowfolk.com https://twitter.com/LinlithgowFolk www.facebook.com/groups/253078621378555

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

The 17th Linlithgow Folk Festival is underway

Linlithgow : 9-13 September : www.linlithgowfolk.com

TICKETS @ www.linlithgowfolk.com/index.php/tickets - plus many events free!

tweet @ https://twitter.com/LAUmusic fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Lau/112015035498101

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Emily Smith : www.emilysmith.org

page 12 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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There's under a month now until one of the highlights of the guitar enthusiasts year - yes it's nearly time for 'The Ullapool Guitar Festival' 2015!

Returning for its 16th year the UGF is one not to miss if you want to celebrate that amazing instrument, which comes in various forms but they are all called 'guitars'. Combine that with the excuse for a lazy road trip up the scenic west coast of Scotland then all you have to do is go and book tickets quickly as they're selling fast. Organiser Richard Lindsay has just announced the line-up with many impressive names included and which this year features a real mix of artists some you may have seen before and some who have yet to experience the warmth of the Ullapool audience. Weekend tickets are £150 and are worth every penny with the full list of names being: Pete Price, Lulo Reinhart, Andre Krengel, Mike Dawes, Brian Gore, Clive Carroll with Airaveata, Johnny Dickinson, Tim Sparks, Preston Reed, Jon Hart, The John Goldie Trio featuring Seonaid Aitken and Jim Drummond, Hugh Burns, Will McNicol with Luke Selby, Elliott and Bevan Morris, Sean Shibe, Tristan Seume with David Buckingham and Allan Neave with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This year UGF continue to encourage some of the finest young musicians on the acoustic music scene at the moment and they have designed the Saturday and Sunday afternoon concerts on that basis. Saturday is mostly steel strung guitar and Sunday is mostly gut string guitar with Professor Allan Neave and Sean Shibe with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In addition Hugh Burns and possibly Clive Carroll may have some input during this concert. As ever the main venue is the Macphail Centre Located on Mill Street and the Late Night

Festival club will take place in the Arch Inn on West Shore Street. Weekend tickets cost £150 each and are on sale using the link at the top of the page for details. A Weekend ticket entitles you to entry to all 5 concerts, 3 late night festival clubs and all workshops and master classes. Individual concert tickets will be available on a first come basis and if available sold prior to each concert . Some "no frills tickets" may also be available ie they will give you entrance to the concert but not to Festival club or workshops unless you pay extra. www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com https://twitter.com/@ully_guitar_fes www.facebook.com/The-Ullapool-Guitar-Festival-201560546591552

Ullapool Guitar Festival announces 2015 line-up Ullapool : 4-6 October : www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com

UGF TICKETS @ www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com

fb event page @ www.facebook.com/events/1688647644681543/ tweet @ https://twitter.com/thedustymoose

Mike Vass( Guitar, Fiddle, Tenor Guitar) and Innes Watson( Guitar, Fiddle, Tenor Guitar),Will McNicol ( Guitar ) and Luke Selby( Drums), Elliott Morris( Guitar, Tenor Guitar ) Bevan Morris (Bass) - These fantastic young musicians will be playing in their various duo formats and then all together at the end of the Saturday afternoon concert. They have promised to showcase some of their new compositions specially written for this concert.

Innes Watson

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

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With the sun-drenched celebrations of this year’s Wickerman Festival still glowing in the minds of music fans, organisers have announced the release of a limited number of Early Bird tickets, frozen at 2015 prices.

Until midnight on Saturday 31 October, fans will be able to snap up tickets exclusively via Skiddle for next year’s festival, which is scheduled to take place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July. Full price 2016 tickets will go on sale from 1 November.

With this year’s festival hailed as one of Wickerman’s finest thanks to its brilliantly eclectic line up and an arena packed with relaxed fun and family-friendly entertainment, the festival team want to thank Wicker fans for bringing what was undoubtedly the best festival vibe of the summer to the sunny fields of Dundrennan.

20,000 music fans enjoyed a wonderful two-day treat of music and festivities, with highlights including the legendary Jimmy Cliff, The Waterboys, Squeeze, Lulu, Tom Odell, The Sonics, Stereo MCs, The Vaselines, BMX Bandits and some of the hottest rising stars of Scotland’s music scene.

Wickerman Festival Director Jennie Camm said: ‘The feedback we have had from fans, artists and everyone behind the scenes at this year’s Wickerman has been overwhelmingly positive, and I think we enjoyed some of the most memorable performances on our festival stages in recent times. With a lucky few days of sunshine and the superb atmosphere right across the site included, we couldn’t have asked for a better festival. Our three-month Early Bird offer is our way of thanking everyone who came down to Dundrennan this year and is already looking forward to returning for our 15th celebrations in July.’

Wickerman is one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals which will enter its 15th consecutive year in 2016. With ten stages featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists, heritage acts and up-and-coming talent, the two day summer party caters for all musical tastes.

www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk https://twitter.com/WickermanFest www.facebook.com/wickermanfestival

Wickerman Fans the Flames of Festival Success with 2016 Early Bird Tickets Dumfries & Galloway : 22-23 July : www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

EARLY BIRD TICKETS! @ http://wickerman.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12483833 - until 31 October

Every year the festival stages an unforgettable finale, as thousands of fans flock to watch a towering 40ft Wickerman be spectacularly set alight.

music news scotland - FESTIVALS! page 15

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Domestics To Appear At Midfest Dalkeith : 13 September : www.midlothian.gov.uk/midfest

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FREE TICKETS @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midfest-2015-free-family-fun-day-tickets-18018549968

After their recent successful appearance at the Loanhead Music Festival, THE DOMESTICS are appearing at this year’s MIDFEST Family Fun Day in Dalkeith Country Park on Sunday 13 September.

The Family Fun Day is the final event of Midlothian Council's MIDFEST festival of arts and promises to be a great day out with something to excite the whole family - food, drink, farmer's market, craft stalls, and music for all tastes. The Domestics will be playing original music from their EP 'The Domestics' plus 'domesticated' covers of some classic alt-country songs. Gates open at 11.30am and will close at 7.00pm.

Midfest 2015 comes to a final flourish with a variety of entertainment and fun for all the family to enjoy. Making full use of the main arena in front of the beautiful Dalkeith Palace we will kick off the day with the Royal Regiment of Scotland Pipe Band.

Following this will be an array of local performers offering rock from Battle of the Bands runners-up, samba, drums, school band performances and also the fantastic family entertainers, FUN BOX, wowing children and adults alike with their fun filled antics.

Some of the music includes Beeslack High School Band, Taiko Drummers, Beeslack High School Samba Band, Midfest Battle of the Bands Runners up, St David’s Brass Band, The Domestics, Changeover, Apple Beggars and skababs.

To keep you going there will be a variety of excellent food stalls and a bar and a Farmers Market of arts

and craft stalls ideal for gifts for any forthcoming special occasions.

Now in its third year, Midfest is a highlight of Midlothian’s cultural calendar with music, art, fun activities, exhibitions, story-telling walks and heritage celebrations to suit all tastes.

www.midlothian.gov.uk/midfest

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page 18 music news scotland - FESTIVALS!

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The second decade of Blas festivals launched this weekend with a spectacular series of opening night events in the Blas 2015 programme across the Highlands and in Argyll since 4 September.

Music, milestones and memories are the hallmark of the 11th Blas festival, which enters its second decade as one of Scotland’s leading music festival having put together a stellar line-up of some of the best musicians and singers to celebrate Highland culture.

Established 11 years ago as a result of The Highland Council’s desire to create a festival that would match the vitality of Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours, the Council has continued its support of Blas. It is now an international event continuing to successfully showcase Highland culture.

Chair of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Implementation Group, Councillor Hamish Fraser said: “We welcome the Blas Festival which was originally initiated by the Council 11 years ago. Since 2005 it has developed to become bigger and better with events taken place from Portree to Portmahomack, Strathy to Strathpeffer, and Carrbridge to Campbeltown, but has still managed to maintain, at its heart, the original charm and uniqueness which sees internationally acclaimed artists share the stage with home-grown young musical talent.” Blas 2015 has also been welcomed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Interim CEO, Joe Moore said:

"Bòrd na Gàidhlig are committed to supporting traditional and contemporary Gaelic arts & culture. The Bòrd recognises that many people are attracted to learn and use the language by accessing and partaking in various Gaelic art forms including music, song, dance, drama & literature. We are pleased that the Blas Festival has become a highlight on the Highland’s social calendar.”

The Blas 2015 programme is packed with a notable series of events marking special anniversaries and milestones enhanced by a ‘blas’ of Scottish produce in this year celebrating food and drink. Fèisean nan Gàidheal, which delivers Blas, will see some of its own members in that category. Fèis Spè celebrates its 25th anniversary, as do the Kiltearn Fiddlers, established under the auspices of Fèis Rois. World-renowned band Shoogenlifty will mark their own 25th anniversary at The Ironworks in Inverness on September 5th with Hò-ro and Niteworks.

Blas 2015 Director Donna MacRae, of Firefly Productions, said: “We are particularly heartened once again to see how well our ticket sales have done in advance with at least one sell-out of a major event and others pretty near it. I would encourage anyone swithering about attending to make a quick decision and to book on-line to guarantee tickets as they are going fast. We are also very grateful to a number of private individuals who have thrown open their family homes to entertain visitors for the House Cèilidhs for which visitors from places as far afield as Israel, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia have snapped up places within days of them appearing on-line. We are all set to go and it is gratifying to see that our

loyal followers are flocking to our events once again.”

Amongst the top acts gracing this year’s festival programme will be Dick Gaughan, Macanta, J.P. Cormier from Canada, The Scottish Traditional Song Collective, Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, The Alan Kelly Gang with special guests Eddi Reader and John Douglas. Gaelic singers will, as usual, be to the fore. As well as Anne Lorne Gillies, Cathy Ann MacPhee and Julie Fowlis, Kathleen MacInnes, Mairi MacInnes, Margaret Stewart with Ingrid Henderson & Alan Nicolson and Eilidh Mackenzie with Anna Massie & Mairearad Green will all make an appearance.

Session A9 will make their only Highland appearances this year at Blas 2015 - in Wick and in Sleat on the Isle of Skye. There will also be a series of cèilidh dances at various locations with top dance bands including the Fergie MacDonald band in Strathy, and the Robert Nairn Band in Broadford, both on Friday September 11th.

The fourth 2015 Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Dinner will be hosted by Hands Up for Trad, in partnership with Blas, on September 11th. This celebration at Inverness Airport will acknowledge the 2015 inductees to the Hall of Fame and feature music from Rona Lightfoot and UHI students.

Tickets for all Blas events can be bought online, or by phone, with details on the festival’s website.

www.blas-festival.com www.facebook.com/blasfestival https://twitter.com/blasfestival

Blas 2015 takes off again to new heights

Across Highlands & Islands : 4-12 September : www.blas-festival.com

TICKETS @ www.blas-festival.com

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SEPTEMBER

Nairn Book and Arts Festival Nairn 1-6 September 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/

Bathgate Music Festival Bathgate 3-6 September The programme features a range of musical styles, profiles local music making, involve people of all ages, promotes a high quality professional programme and provides music education opportunities for young people. www.facebook.com/BathgateMusicFestival

100 Bands On The Border Galashiels 4-6 September 100 Bands On The Border will be a music festival held in venues and stages in Galashiels town centre. The idea behind this is to bring the best up and coming new bands and musicians from all over the UK to the Scottish Borders to showcase their talents. Contact Bill Jeffrey - william.jeffrey1@btopenworld.com weblink below .... www.facebook.com/pages/JMP3-Jeffrey-Music-Promotions/745042952180452

Lindisfarne Festival Holy Island 4-6 September The Lindisfarne Festival will come to life on September 4, 2015, giving you the opportunity to experience a weekend like no other. Located at Beal Farm on the truly breath-taking

Northumberland coastline, with a spectacular backdrop of the mythical Holy Island - you will discover one of the country’s best-kept secret festival locations. From Friday through to Sunday, the festival will play host to an incredible variety of both local and world renowned musicians and DJs who will be performing an eclectic mix of indie, funk, rock and folk. Set in a series of marquees, you will be close to the music and heart of the festival. Each marquee will have its own headliner and we recommend you come in good time to see your favourite acts as each marquee has limit of revellers that can be fit in. www.lindisfarnefestival.com

Live @ Troon Ayrshire 4-6 September Since it was launched in 2010 Live@Troon has been providing a great September weekend of live entertainment for residents of, and visitors to, the Ayrshire coastal town. Over the first five years the weekend has brought some great musical and comedic talent to Troon with sell out gigs for acts such as The Wanted, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, The Saw Doctors, The Colour Ham and Eddi Reader. It has introduced local audiences to some great unsigned Scottish talent such as Kassidy, Have Mercy Las Vegas, Vukovi and a list as long as your arm. 2015 promises more of the same and we hope a little bit extra with more venues, more musical tastes and more live music than ever before! www.liveattroon.com

Blas Festival Highlands 4-12 September

Blas Festival is the Highlands' premier Gaelic and traditional music festival. Blas takes place in venues across the Highlands and includes an eclectic line-up of local, national and international artistes. www.blas-festival.com

Linlithgow Folk Festival Linlithgow 9-13 September The 17th Linlithgow Folk Festival promises to be the best yet! The headline concert features The Emily Smith Band plus there’s a Bluegrass concert by The Mairs Family Band and much much more!! www.linlithgowfolk.com

Midstock Festival Dalkeith 12 September Just when you think festival season is over, there’s still another cracker to be enjoyed before the nights draw in. Headlining the event will be melodic indierockers, The Fratellis. The line up offers a variety of musical tastes designed to cater for the wide demographic expected at the festival, which welcomes everyone aged 0-90.Tickets on sale @ www.eventbrite.co.uk www.midstockfestival.com

Best of the West Festival Inveraray 12-13 September 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

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Midfest Dalkeith 13 September Now in its third year, Midfest is a highlight of Midlothian’s cultural calendar with music, art, fun activities, exhibitions, story-telling walks and heritage celebrations to suit all tastes. www.midlothian.gov.uk/midfest

Bring It All Home Paisley 17-19 September Scotland’s leading stars are set to take Paisley by storm in a series of special events celebrating Scottish’s musical talent and songwriting. Bring it all Home – run by Renfrewshire Council – is back for a third year with a huge offering of Scottish talent coming to Paisley for the festival on 17-19 September 2015. Featuring a series of free events, the festival offers existing and budding musicians plus music fans a chance to learn the secrets of the trade. www.bringitallhome.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. Dundee has contributed greatly over the years to celtic rock and folk music, It was only a matter of time before a celtic/folk festival in Dundee surfaced. September 2015 will see the very first Celtic Rock and Folk festival in Dundee and year after year to follow. www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest

Loopallu Ullapool 25-26 September Loopallu takes place in the tiny remote North West coast fishing village of Ullapool and doubles the population of the village for the weekend. As well as the usual eclectic line up of acts appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the 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 Ullapool welcome. www.loopallu.co.uk

True North Aberdeen 25-27 September Aberdeen Performing Arts has announced the launch of True North – Aberdeen’s festival of music and song – celebrating the North-east's singer songwriter tradition and providing a platform for the very best music and song, from ballads to contemporary classics. Taking place from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September at The Lemon Tree, Music Hall and in various locations across Aberdeen’s city centre, the festival includes an evening celebrating the music of Neil Young in his 70th year featuring a lineup of top

artists, a Songwriters’ Circle event, Late Night Festival Club sessions and a headline concert at the Music Hall featuring a - yet to be announced - award winning artist. www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/truenorth

Isle of Jura Music Festival Jura 25-27 September The Isle of Jura Musical Festival is a well-established 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 pre-purchase your tickets online now. www.juramusicfestival.com

Dunbar Traditional Music Festival Dunbar 25-27 September The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival continues to flourish since it began in 1988. Set in the historic seaside town of Dunbar, the Festival is committed to showcasing local and young talent alongside well established and internationally known artists. Song, music, pipes & drums, children's workshop, informal tunes and sessions, concerts, ceilidhs and open air performances are the traditional hallmarks of the annual September event. The Festival caters for a wide range of musical tastes. Initially the focus was on traditional Scottish and Irish music but in recent years this has broadened to include jazz, blues, Appalachian, country, bluegrass and skiffle. www.dunbarmusicfestival.co.uk

OCTOBER

Balmaha’s Braw Weekend Balmaha, Loch Lomond 3 October A new food, drink and music festival in the East Loch Lomond village, organised by The Oak Tree Inn and sponsored by Deanston Distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond. On the Saturday night from 6pm-midnight enjoy a Beer, Whisky and Music festival. A strong line up of music acts for the evening includes Dave Arcari, The Zips, Mick Hargan and Have Mercy Las Vegas. www.balmahasbrawweekend.co.uk

Tenement Trail Multi Venue Festival Glasgow 4 October The third annual multi-venue music festival from Scotland’s largest music platform Tenement TV will feature a packed line-up including a headline Art School show from Glasgow’s WHITE, sets from Atom Tree, Crash Club, Monogram, Pinact, Other Humans and Team Player. Taking place for over 12 hours on Saturday 4th October 2015, the Tenement Trail festival organisers have also revealed that Lisa Mitchell, AmartArt, Be

Charlotte, Bella and The Bear, The Van T’s, Declan Walsh and Aylee will appear. www.tenementtv.com

The Spree Paisley 9-17 October Paisley's national festival of music, comedy and arts, now in it third year - taking place at various venues in the town centre . The Spiegeltent will be back in County Square to host the bulk of the action but there will be a few big-name shows in the Abbey as well as stuff happening at Paisley Arts Centre and elsewhere. We also have a few surprises in store! www.thespree.co.uk

The Cumnock Tryst Cumnock 1-4 October A music festival under the leadership of Scottish composer, James MacMillan CBE Cumnock, Scotland. The Cumnock Tryst is an annual event with concerts in venues in and around the town. The programme will feature some of the finest, international classical artists, as well as music and musicians from different backgrounds both stylistically and socially. The Cumnock Tryst aims to make its strong commitment to the community at the heart of all its activities, for instance involving young people at school and college, amateur choirs and local bands. www.thecumnocktryst.com

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 performers and those, like the students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or even jamming with them on one of the trade stands. www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com

Glasgow Americana Festival Glasgow 7-11 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

SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

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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

Sonica Glasgow 29 October - 8 November Sonica returns to Glasgow for 12 days this Autumn with a programme dedicated to world-class sonic arts, presenting emerging British talent alongside exceptional international artists from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Netherlands and Quebec. Highlights include:Olivier Ratsi (Antivj) // Herman Kolgen // Speak Percussion with Robin Fox // Kathy Hinde // Sisi Lu // Mark Lyken // Robbie Thomson. “If you want to experience the thrilling interface where music, visual art, theatre and digital technology meet, hasten to Glasgow.” The Times. Tickets on sale from Monday 15 June www.sonic-a.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

NOVEMBER

Kinross-shire Winter Festival Kinross-shire November (various dates) We are delighted to announce that Big Country with THE BEST OF BIG COUNTRY TOUR will headline the Kinross-shire's Winter Festival 2015 on Saturday 21 November, 8pm at the Community Campus in Kinross. www.kinrossmusicfestival.co.uk

House Folk Scottish Music Festival Kinlochard 11-13 November The festival is now in its 8th year and takes place in three highly intimate venues over three

nights in the wonderful setting of Kinlochard in the Trossachs. The concerts offer an expo of bagpipe, accordion, strings, fiddle, vocals and flute music fusing traditional and contemporary Scottish styles. Each night differs from the other but both include a blend of great music for everyone with a mix of folk, modern and traditional styles! www.scottishmusicfestival.co.uk

Fiddle 2015 Edinburgh 20-22 November One of Scotland's biggest traditional music festivals, promoting & sustaining traditional fiddle music since 1996. A weekend packed full of great music! Over the weekend there are concerts, ceilidhs, recitals, workshops, talks, open stage, festival clubs, sessions, stalls, free events.... and lots, lots more! The Fiddle Festival committee are now working hard towards Fiddle 2015. The dates are out now but keep an eye on our Facebook page and join our mailing list to be the first to hear what artists are playing at this years festival. www.facebook.com/scotsfiddlefest

DECEMBER

Edinburgh's Hogmanay Edinburgh 31 December Four fabulous days and nights of amazing events kick off the world's greatest New Year party. With the traditional torchlit procession, street performers, fireworks, concerts, ceilidh, the big Hogmanay party itself and a New Year's Day run to blow the cobwebs away - Edinburgh's buzzing. Come along and experience the magic for yourself. www.edinburghshogmanay.org

The Red Hot Highland Fling Inverness 31 December Scotland's Biggest Free Hogmanay Concert is guaranteed to bring the 2015 Inverness Festivals

programme to a wonderful climax. Children Welcome! www.invernessfestivals.com

2016

JANUARY

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

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

JUNE

Riverside Rock Jedburgh 18 June Riverside Rock 2016 already have some fantastic bands signed up: The Men They Couldn’t Hang / The Lost Boys / Scocha (Back for a 3rd Year) / Blistered Molly (Back for a 2nd Year) / Greg Anderson (Back too for 2nd year) he rocked the tent at the end last year! Main tent headliner and other bands to be announced. As before Riverside Rock must not be missed, the Scottish Borders very own music festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh, and 2016 will have more food outlets, more bars and a bigger tent. Tickets on sale soon! www.riversiderock.co.uk

JULY

Wickerman Festival Dumfries & Galloway 22-23 July Wickerman is one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals which will enter its 15th consecutive year in 2016. With ten stages featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists, heritage acts and up-and-coming talent, the two day summer party caters for all musical tastes. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

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