MUSIC NEWS Scotland (Feb21-26)

26 : 2 : 21 

During the Covid-19 crisis we've combined our three titles into one MNS 

MUSIC NEWS Scotland :: MNS FESTIVALS! :: MNS GIGguide 

Relief funds for grassroots music venues - p14 

New composition project - p3 :: PRS and online gig licenses - p4 

Leith Theatre Launches Mini-Series of Digital 

Gigs to Showcase Breakthrough Scottish Artists 

#liveinleith 

A grant from Creative 

Scotland’s Performing Arts 

Venue Relief Fund has allowed 

Leith Theatre to secure a 

small staff team of expertise, 

enabling them to produce a 

mini-series of digital gigs. 

This will also provide vital incomes for industry professionals 

and production crew as well as for the musicians and artists 

themselves. Hosted by Vic Galloway, this programme - Live 

in Leith - will be streamed over three consecutive Saturdays 

starting this March via the online platform DICE and will help 

to showcase and establish up-and-coming young Scottish 

artists at what is undoubtedly a crucial time in their careers. 

All of the artists will be captured playing a 25-minute set in 

real time, to create a live concert feel and the broadcasts will 

include introductions and on-stage interviews with host, Vic 

Galloway. Each gig will feature two artists, the first duo being 

Connor Fyfe (youngest musician to sell out at King Tut’s in 

Glasgow), and Retro Video Club. 

Shining a light on new music (in Scotland) has been key to 

the programme’s conception. Live in Leith aims to nurture 

fresh talent by providing a harbour – a safe space - for those 

who are sacrificing their incomes to pursue careers in music 

at what is always a tender time, no matter what the 

economic situation or industry climate. 

If the funding is the anchor for the whole programme, the 

theatre itself is certainly the port, a place that has inspired 

many musicians to return already since the first stage of its 

revival in 2017: The Snuts for example, played as part of 

EH6 festival back in November 2018 and Teenage Fanclub 

featured in EIF’s offering in August 2019. Both bands have 

since returned to film their latest singles in the theatre’s 

auditorium in 2020. 

Though Leith Theatre’s doors have been closed to the public 

for almost a full year now, closed sets like these have been 

able to take place. In 2020 the theatre was also home to the 

virtual edition of Scotland’s annual Wide Days music 

convention, EIF’s My Light Shines On recordings featuring 

Honeyblood and Breabach and Posable Action Figures’ latest 

music video for a single in their debut album. Leith Theatre 

was once a music machine in the form of legendary gigs of 

the seventies and eighties and is well on its way to becoming 

a well-oiled one for today in the new twenties through such 

productions. 

Just as the Port of Leith once fostered connections as a 

confluence of old and new, production and industry – a stage 

that was both world-class and local - Live in Leith aims to 

cultivate all of these elements and bring entertainment home 

in 2021 (and beyond). The theatre, where community has 

always been at the heart of its role as a civic centre, wants to 

help raise the next generation of musicians, industry 

professionals and crew right here in Leith, safe in the 

knowledge that exploring the unfamiliar and investing in 

what is new and inspiring is always in all of our best 

interests. 

Live in Leith dates :: March 20th: Connor Fyfe and Retro 

Video Club :: March 27th: Ransom FA and Nova Scotia the 

Truth :: April 3rd: The Ninth Wave and Lucia & The Best 

Boys. Tickets £11.50 on sale @ http://bit.ly/LIVEINLEITH 

"As a longtime 

resident 

of Leith, it's 

so satisfying 

and inspiring 

to see this 

legendary 

theatre come 

to life once 

again." 

Vic Galloway 

www.leiththeatretrust.org : www.twitter.com/LeithTheatre : www.facebook.com/LeithTheatre 

Covid-19 advice @ www.smc-covid19.com web @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com 

fb @ www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre tweet @ www.twitter.com/scottishmusic 

http://bit.ly/issuu-googleplay 

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com 

Read our music on Radio + 

TV listings on pages 20+21

page 2 

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music news scotland page 3 

Young musicians invited to audition for The 

Gordon Duncan Experience Composition Course 

The Gordon Duncan 

Experience is looking 

for talented young 

musicians and budding 

composers from all 

over Scotland to take 

part in a brand new 

composition project. 

Scotland’s Celtic Big Band is inviting musicians 

aged 14-21 of intermediate level and above, on 

any instrument and from any musical 

background who want to develop their 

composition skills, to audition to join its free 

Online Composition Masterclasses. 

Led by Musical Director Patsy Reid, the 20 

successful applicants will work alongside some of 

Scotland’s top musicians and composers, 

attending five masterclasses and five one-to-one 

mentoring sessions online, with the aim of 

creating a finished piece of music. 

Launched by Perth Concert Hall and Perth 

Theatre in 2010 in honour of late, great Pitlochry 

piper Gordon Duncan, The Gordon Duncan 

Experience plays and creates music rooted in 

Scottish traditions with influences from jazz, 

rock, pop, blues and classical. The young 

musicians who have come through its ranks 

have performed at high-profile events and 

shared the stage with some of Scotland’s top 

artists, with many of them going on to study and 

make a career in music and performance. 

Launching the call for auditions which 

closes on Sunday 14 March 2021, Andy 

Shearer, Creative Director for 

Contemporary Music for Perth Concert Hall 

and Perth Theatre said: 

“As well as being an incredible player who 

changed how the pipes are played, Gordon’s 

greatest legacy is as a composer who 

revolutionised the way tunes are written for 

traditional instruments. Many of his compositions 

are now regarded as classics and he’s been a 

direct influence on an entire generation of 

musicians and writers, many of whom will be 

teaching on this course, 

“With lockdown meaning people couldn’t get 

together to rehearse as a band, it made sense 

for us to focus on Gordon’s enormous influence 

as a composer and create this unique 

opportunity for young people, which can be 

pursued individually and from home." 

Scottish musician, composer and educator 

Patsy Reid, who takes up the baton of 

Musical Director for the first time said: 

“I’m delighted and honoured to be rolling up my 

sleeves and joining the Gordon Duncan 

Experience team as Musical Director. As a 

musician and composer, I’m ever in awe of the 

massive contribution that Gordon made, not only 

to the musical community of Perthshire and 

Scotland, but the impact he continues to make 

on the international stage by means of his trailblazing 

compositions and significant teaching 

legacy. As part of that legacy, the Gordon 

Duncan Experience plays a very important role 

in developing young players’ musicianship, as 

well as providing an excellent platform for 

performance and composition. As an educator, 

I’m proud to be involved but also eager to 

maintain and sustain our young musicians’ social 

and creative outlet during this critical time, when 

musicmaking and creativity are being challenged 

so greatly. We are very excited to be launching 

our online composition project, which offers the 

opportunity to work with some of Scotland’s 

leading traditional musicians and composers 

through a programme of masterclasses and 1:1 

mentoring sessions. Let’s keep the music flowing 

and we’ll be back performing again in no time!” 

Morag Neville from The Northwood 

Charitable Trust who are funding the 

project said: 

“The Northwood Charitable Trust is delighted to 

support the important role that The Gordon 

Duncan Experience plays in music and welcomes 

Patsy Reid to her new post as Musical Director.” 

To find out more about the project and how to 

audition contact Emma Neck, Creative Learning 

Co-ordinator (Music) eneck@horsecross.co.uk 

before the closing date of Sunday 14 March. 

www.horsecross.co.uk 

www.facebook.com/TheGordonDuncanExperience 

www.orkneyfolkfestival.com 

facebook @ www.facebook.com/orkneyfolkfestival 

twitter @ www.twitter.com/OrkneyFolkFest 

email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

WHAT'S 

HOT! 

from the latest 

releases to 

reach us .... 

page 4 


Free 'PRS for Music' 

licence for member's 

small online events 

DOGHOUSE ROSES 

www.doghouseroses.net 

Some albums are like fleeting thoughts, written and recorded 

in a blink of the eye. Others are nurtured over 

time, allowed to develop and blossom and this is the case 

for the fourth album from Glasgow's Doghouse Roses 

TORRIDON 

Their new album signals a significant progression in the 

band’s style, sound, vision and drive to showcase a passion 

for serious and original songwriting. With tracks 

inspired by men’s mental health and suicide in Scotland 

TOM McGUIRE 

+ THE BRASSHOLES 

AMY PAPIRANSKY 

www.torridonlive.com 

www.tomandthebrassholes.com 

An eclectic, modern-soul-funk, 8 piece band from Glasgow, 

headed by Tom McGuire. The funky collective of “killer 

animals from hell”, consists of a colourful, hilarious bunch 

of wonderfully talented, animated young men 

www.amypapiransky.com 

A stunning self-penned debut album, Amy has been gathering 

and writing songs over the last eight years. Her 

debut release is a lesson in flawless vocal dexterity and 

heartfelt song writing with a side of sass, funk and class 

THINK YOUR 

NEW RELEASE 

IS GOOD ENOUGH 

TO APPEAR HERE? 

To be considered for our 

'What's Hot' spot send your 

new album/ep/single to: 

MNS Top 4, 

MUSIC NEWS Scotland 

Romar House, Birgham, 

Berwickshire. TD12 4NF 

Listening to feedback from 

songwriter and composer 

members, PRS for Music 

has announced a new 

provision to its small-scale 

Online Live Concert licence. 

This means that if a member wants to perform an online 

ticketed live concert exclusively of their own works, where 

they will receive all the royalties due, they can obtain a 

licence at no cost to them. 

The free licence will be available to any individual concert, 

which qualifies for the small-scale licence, with revenues 

below £500, throughout the period the live sector is forced 

to close due to the COVID-19 crisis where the qualifying 

member is the performer. 

In what is a rapidly developing part of the market the key 

benefits are: 

· Allows performing writers the latitude to test the 

online concert market to find a model which works for 

them. 

· Allows them to more easily hold a concert in support 

of others in the industry, such as charity gigs. 

Qualifying members can obtain a free PRS licence for 

small-scale online ticketed events by emailing 

applications@prsformusic.com 

This announcement is in addition to the decision previously 

announced that PRS for Music will not be seeking to 

historically license small-scale online concerts which took 

place throughout 2020. This means that any artist or 

venue which held a small online live concert will not have 

to obtain a licence retrospectively. 

PRS writer and composer members are, and will, continue 

to be heavily impacted by the closure of the live music 

sector, with royalties from live performance alone falling by 

between 70-80% in 2020, alongside significant declines in 

public performance income. With the online global ticketed 

livestreamed concerts market estimated to have generated 

$600 million in 2020, all parties acknowledge that the 

health of the whole music sector depends upon 

songwriters, composers and publishers getting a share of 

these new income streams. 

Today’s announcement follows the announcement last 

week of the new small-scale licence for online concerts, 

starting at £22.50. That has been designed to strike the 

right balance between providing a simplified licensing 

scheme for licensees while ensuring members get paid for 

the use of their works. It was informed by feedback 

received by PRS for Music over the last 9 months by those 

looking to stage these events and conversations with key 

stakeholders, including promoters and managers. 

PRS for Music will be accelerating its ongoing dialogue with 

key stakeholders on an interim rate, while the physical live 

sector is closed, for online concerts in the coming weeks. 

We are committed to agreeing a discounted rate for larger 

concerts as soon as possible to make these licences 

available to the market. 

PRS is also promoting its updated online live concerts Q&A 

where anybody interested in finding out about the various 

licensing options can find answers to all the commonly 

asked questions. This includes a reiteration that many 

members can hold non-ticketed events on platforms like 

YouTube and Instagram under the terms of the licence we 

have granted to the platform. 

Andrea C. Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, said: “There is 

universal support from across the music industry that 

songwriters, composers must be paid for the use of their 

work. PRS for Music represents 150,000 songwriter, 

composers and publishers from the UK and around the 

world. Live streamed concerts developed rapidly out of the 

pandemic and it is my job, in a fast changing market, to 

ensure they get paid fairly and efficiently at all times.” 

Michelle Escoffery, President of the PRS Members’ 

Council, said: “We are committed to making sure that our 

songwriters, composers and publishers are well supported, 

so it is essential that all our members share in the value 

being generated by online livestreamed concerts when 

their songs are performed. The change announced today 

we hope addresses many of the concerns expressed to us 

over the last few days. PRS will continue to listen to the 

views of our members in these most difficult of times.” 

About PRS for Music :: PRS for Music represents the 

rights of songwriters, composers and music publishers in 

the UK and around the world. As a membership 

organisation it works to ensure that creators are paid 

whenever their musical compositions and songs are 

streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played 

in public. In 2019, 18.8 trillion performances of music were 

reported to PRS for Music with £810.8m collected on behalf 

of its members, making it one of the world’s leading music 

collective management organisations. 

Call For Views :: 

Following the recent announcement of the simplified 

licensing portal for small online live concerts, members and 

key stakeholders contacted us wanting to share their 

experiences and views on how this emerging part of the 

music market is impacting them 

To make sure that you have the opportunity to feed into 

the future development of online concert licensing we have 

opened a ‘call for views’. 

This will be open until Friday 12 March. 

Submit your views @ http://prs.info/aPpB50DBBn9 

www.prsformusic.com 

www.twitter.com/PRSforMusic 

www.facebook.com/PRSforMusic 



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page 6 


SCOTTISH MUSIC CENTRE ......... 

Member Profile :: Alastair White 

www.scottishmusiccentre.com/alastair-white/ 

"The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community" 

Alastair White is a 

Scottish composer and 

writer and was a 

founding member of 

the Edinburgh-based 

bands White Heath 

(Electric Honey) and 

Blank Comrade (Red 

Wharf), and has 

worked as a session 

pianist and producer. 

Described as “spellbinding” (Boulezian), 

“beautiful” (730 Review), 

“virtuosic” (Winnipeg Free Press), “deftly 

manic” (American Record Guide) and 

“passionately atonal” (Gramophone), his 

work is characterised by a lyrical complexity 

which draws influence from technology, 

science, politics and materialist philosophy. 

Recent projects include the Fashion-Operas 

WEAR, ROBE (to be released by Métier 

Records February 2021) and WOAD; a string 

quartet for the Altius Quartet’s album 

Quadrants Vol. 3 (out now on Navona 

Records); the documentary opera A Boat in 

an Endless Blue Sea; and WORK: movement 

through a series of arbitrary partitions for . 

abeceda ensemble. 

Shortlisted for a Scottish Award for New 

Music twice (in 2019 and 2020) and a 

Creative Edinburgh Award (2019), Alastair 

has created work for the opera festivals Têtea-Tête 

and Opera in the City, the 

international poetry festival STanza, UKNA 

City Takeover, The Scottish School of 

Contemporary Dance and The Scottish Poetry 

Library. 

His music has been supported by Help 

Musicians UK, the Hinrichsen Foundation, the 

Goldsmiths Graduate Fund and Music Research 

Committee, and he is a PARMA Recordings 

Artist. 

He is currently undertaking a PhD at 

“... music has this astonishing 

power to contain and combine 

its participants – audiences, 

performers, writers – into a type 

of artificial superintelligence.“ 

Goldsmiths, University of London with Roger 

Redgate and Lauren Redhead, where he 

organised the interdisciplinary conference on 

New Materialism Futures of the Real. He 

speaks internationally about his research 

interests in music and politics. 

www.alastairwhite.org 

www.twitter.com/alwhitemusic 

www.facebook.com/alastairwhitemusic 

Alastair White released 

his new album 'Robe' 

on 12 February :: 

ROBE: a fashion-opera 

This recording of Alastair White’s ‘fashion-opera’ ROBE 

features the original cast from the premiere performance 

as part of Tête-à-Tête, London in 2019. The unique 

concept employs only four female singers with flute and 

piano, but also dancers and actors, in this futuristic 

drama. The work was shortlisted for the Creative 

Edinburgh Award and described as “striking and 

evocative” (Planet Hugill) 

In a society where the difference between the real and 

the virtual is no longer meaningful, a powerful new being 

threatens the stability which holds these worlds together. 

Two elders, Neachneohain and Beira, convince the young 

cartographer Rowan to complete a terrible task: descend 

into the mind of the superintelligence EDINBURGH and 

map this creature so as to grant its desire – to become a 

living city, teeming with human life and activity. 

Witnessing visions of the awful realness of life beyond 

cyberspace, Rowan agrees – plunging into its depths: a 

strange, abstract world of data and dream. 

Thirty years later, Rowan and EDINBURGH have fallen in 

love, have lived their lives together. Though every 

morning she awakes with no memory of the past, Rowan 

has almost completed the map that EDINBURGH desires. 

But into this map Rowan has woven something else: 

something hidden, silent, unsaid. As these rifts in the 

structure undo causality itself, she must answer the 

question: what exactly has she created? And what does it 

have to do with this strange, otherworldly figure who 

sings the red song of a forgotten city – of an ancient, 

poisoned ROBE… 

www.smc-covid19.com 

"The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community" 

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

The Scottish Music Centre currently supports in excess of 100 composer, group/small business and corporate members. 

Offering a wealth of advantages, initiatives include the bi-monthly Composers' Digest and Exposed Melodies podcast series, 

regular networking events and notification of valuable opportunities, extensive publicity 

and increased correspondence with national companies, chamber ensembles, soloists and festivals. 

Scottish Music Centre’s City Halls office is currently closed due to Covid-19 and our staff 

and project teams are working from home. We have made changes to some of our services: 

please go to the individual page(s) on our website for more info. 

For general enquiries please contact us on info@scottishmusiccentre.com



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page 8 

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Online Gaelic language and 

music service to expand 

after growing demand ... 

Free music lessons, provided by Highland arts 

organisation, accessed by people around the world 

The growing demand 

for online Gaelic 

music and language 

lessons during 

lockdown has led to a 

call for more tutors to 

join the team at 

Gaelic arts 

organisation, Fèisean 

nan Gàidheal, in order 

to expand the range 

of lessons on offer. 

Oide, which means tutor in Gaelic, was 

launched in May 2020 by Fèisean nan 

Gàidheal in a bid to support people, of all 

ages, with their learning and practicing of 

traditional music and Gaelic skills at home. 

The online music tuition service started with 

more than 70 video lessons in accordion, 

fiddle, chanter, clarsach and Gaelic song, in 

both Gaelic and English, and to date over 

900 people from across the world have 

accessed the lessons. Fèisean nan Gàidheal 

is now looking to expand the offering to 

include lessons in tin whistle, melodeon, 

step dance, guitar and Gaelic drama. 

Oide allows users to access a range of prerecorded 

tuition videos at beginner, 

intermediate and advanced levels from a 

range of experienced traditional musicians 

and Gaelic singers. Tutors so far have 

included accordionist Ian Smith from popular 

folk band, Trail West, fiddler Robbie Grieg, 

who plays with electronic folk bank, INYAL, 

and Gaelic singers James Graham, Eilidh 

Cormack, a member of Gaelic vocal 

harmony group, Sian, and Deirdre Graham. 

When the new service was launched last 

year, Fèisean nan Gàidheal made the 

decision to offer all of the Oide content for 

free whilst Lockdown restrictions are in place 

during the Global pandemic. The service 

runs via the Gaelic arts organisation’s FèisTV 

platform. FèisTV was launched by Fèisean 

nan Gàidheal with support from Bòrd na 

Gàidhlig and HIE, to allow people across the 

world to experience events streamed from 

Fèisean, the Blas Festival and other 

performances in which it is involved, as well 

as providing the dedicated online traditional 

music tuition service, Oide. 

Calum Alex Macmillan, Development 

Manager, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, 

commented: “The demand for Oide during 

lockdown and the feedback from the 

learners, parents and teachers has been 

really positive and we are delighted to now 

be extending the service with more music 

and Gaelic language sessions for people to 

benefit from and enjoy. 

“We are seeking proposals to deliver online 

music tuition lessons for a range of 

Gaelic Song teacher Deirdre Graham 

traditional instruments and Gaelic song, 

both from Gaelic speaking tutors who would 

be able to deliver music lessons in Gaelic 

and music tutors who could deliver lessons 

in English. We are so fortunate that we have 

many fantastic traditional music tutors 

across the country and we would like to 

work with them at a time when the demand 

for learning these skills is growing.” 

For more information on the tender process, 

or for an informal discussion about what 

may be required, please contact Calum Alex 

Macmillan, Fèisean nan Gàidheal 

Development Manager, by email: 

calum@feisean.scot. More information can 

also be found at www.feisean.org. Proposals 

should be submitted by Friday 26 February 

to tv@feisean.org 

www.feisean.org 

www.facebook.com/feisean 

www.twitter.com/fngaidheal 



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Top Scottish and international folk talent to 

feature at brand new, live online folk festival 

Includes Blazin’ Fiddles, Gnoss, Imar, Jenna Reid, RURA, Siobhan Miler and Talisk 

26-28 February - www.ccmlive.co.uk/tickets 

Some of the most 

renowned names in 

Scottish folk music will 

return to the stage this 

weekend, February 26- 

28, as part of CCM Live - 

a brand new, three-day 

event being broadcast 

live from Glasgow. 

The festival’s bumper line-up features Blazin’ Fiddles, Talisk, 

Siobhan Miller, Rura, Ímar, Jenna Reid and Gnoss - all of 

whom will stream live, full length and full production sets as 

part of the festival weekend. 

They will be joined by leading Finnish act Frigg, and 

Canadian roots duo Madison Violet, appearing via exclusive 

concert footage recently recorded in Espoo, and Hamilton, 

Ontario, respectively. 

All seven Scottish acts, comprising 27 individual musicians, 

will appear live - and for many it will be their first fully live 

concerts in over a year, since the outbreak of the covid-19 

pandemic and cancellation of live events around the world. 

Taking place against the continuing backdrop of social 

distancing and workplace restrictions, this weekend’s 

performances have been programmed against the strictest 

covid-19 safe working measures. The festival will broadcast 

from CaptureWorks in the east end of Glasgow - a tailormade 

covid-safe production studio, established shortly after 

the first peak of the pandemic in 2020 to provide a space for 

live streamed performances of the highest quality, whilst 

adhering to all new working protocols and requirements. 

In order to safely stage a multi-band festival bill, 

international footage is being used to allow extended live 

stage changeovers and sanitisation between artists, whilst 

every individual microphone, stand, cable and even item of 

furniture will each be used only once over the weekend, 

ensuring artists’ utmost safety as they return to live 

performance - albeit with a remote audience, and only 

essential technical staff in the studio. 

The award-winning, Glasgow-based five-piece Ímar will open 

the festival on Friday night, followed by one of Canada’s 

most popular vocal duos, Madison Violet. Firm Scottish 

favourites Blazin’ Fiddles will round off the first night’s bill, 

whilst Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid will return to open 

Saturday night’s broadcast in a duo set with her sister, 

Bethany. They will hand over to the leading act of the Nordic 

fiddle scene, Frigg, before trailblazers Talisk close out the 

festival’s Saturday night. 

Ahead of the release of their second album this spring, hotlytipped 

young quartet Gnoss kick things off on Sunday 

evening, followed by a full band set from the multi awardwinning 

Scottish singer-songwriter, Siobhan Miller - featuring 

special guests Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) and Kris Drever, 

alongside regular bandmates Euan Burton, Innes White and 

Megan Henderson. The festival will come to a close with a set 

from Rura, who celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2020 

with the release of a critically acclaimed live album, recorded 

in front of a capacity crowd at Glasgow’s iconic Old 

Fruitmarket just over a year ago. 

All artists will each perform a full one-hour set, and all three 

nights’ festival shows will be available for 48 hours’ catch-up 

viewing. 

Over 700 weekend streaming passes have sold in advance of 

the festival, with audiences set to tune in from around the 

world, including the USA, Canada, Australia and Chile, as 

well as throughout Europe and the UK. 

With such a renowned line-up, organisers hope that a flexible 

pricing model, as well as an on-demand viewing facility after 

each night’s live broadcast, will encourage audiences to 

discover new artists and music across the programme. 

Weekend passes are on sale at a recommended rate of £25, 

however there is also the option for patrons to pay what they 

can amidst the current climate. 

CCM Live Director, Craig Corse - also one of Scotland’s 

leading folk-based booking agents - was inspired to create 

the festival to build upon successful standalone concert 

streams, seeking to recreate the energy and excitement of a 

live festival weekend for audiences, artists and crew. With 

support from Creative Scotland’s Sustaining Creative 

Development fund, CCM Live (the festival bearing the same 

name as his agency) will present nine of the artists in Craig’s 

roster in a unique and unprecedented live event. 

Craig said: “I’m really excited to be bringing this weekend’s 

festival together, with a brilliant team of artists and 

engineers bringing the shows to life in living rooms around 


the world! Even though there will be no audience in the 

studio, nothing can replace the buzz of live performance - 

and it’s the fast-paced hive of activity, energy and element 

of discovery which only a festival can deliver that we’re 

looking to recreate on top. 

“The festival started life as a mad seed of an idea that I 

thought might work, as a collective outlet for the artists 

within the agency in the midst of what has become the most 

challenging year for anyone working in live entertainment. 

The more we dug deeper, it became apparent that the rapid 

advances in streaming technology and live facilities could be 

utilised to create not only a series of live streams across the 

roster, but actually a live festival weekend with some of the 

genre’s most exciting artists. Much to my delight, every one 

of them agreed to be involved - and we have a fantastic 

weekend in store for audiences. 

“As well as the artists’ belief, there is no way the event could 

happen without the support and encouragement from 

Creative Scotland - and so to them, the artists, crews and 

many hundreds of folks we have tuning in this weekend I’d 

like to extend my heartfelt thanks. We’ll see you on the other 

side! 

Musician and broadcaster Anna Massie, appearing at the 

festival with Blazin’ Fiddles, said: “This is our first fully live 

gig since early March 2020, and we can’t wait to get back on 

stage together. A such a long break, there’s a bit of 

trepidation about performing live again, but the overriding 

feeling within the band WhatsApp chat is one of excitement. 

We’ve had to remember how to put a set list together 

(there’s a separate WhatApp solely for set lists) as well as 

how the arrangements actually go! 

“There’s always a different kind of energy surrounding a 

festival performance, and we’re delighted to be taking part in 

this weekend event. For one thing, we’re really looking 

forward to hearing Ímar play live on Friday – as exciting as it 

is to perform, it’s also a wonderful thing to hear and see a 

live gig. We’ve all missed the social element of touring as 

well as the playing, so although we’ve just got one day “on 

the road,” we’re determined to make the most of it and 

enjoy every minute of the gig and hope the audience has as 

good a time as we do!” 

Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland 

commented: ““This weekend of outstanding traditional music 

will be a real solace for audiences in this difficult winter. 

People are craving the experience and excitement of live 

music, and this looks to bring just that to living rooms across 

Scotland and beyond this weekend. The line-up is 

outstanding, showcasing the cream of Scotland’s traditional 

music scene as well as international artists of note. Not only 

will the weekend give artists a much desired opportunity to 

play live for audiences, it also involves a crucial support team 

behind the scenes to make it all happen. CCM Live is an 

amazing opportunity to catch your favourite acts live for 

what may be the first time in a year, or take a risk and 

discover something new.” 

For further information on the festival and to buy tickets, 

visit www.ccmlive.co.uk/tickets - or stay in touch via social 

media. 

www.ccmlive.co.uk 

www.twitter.com/CCMLiveMusic 

www.facebook.com/ccmlivemusic


www.davearcari.com 

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page 12 


Knockengorroch podcast uncovers 

rich history of greenfield festival 

Listen to the Knockengorroch Podcast @ www.knockengorroch.org.uk/knockengorroch-podcast/ 

Knockengorroch – 

one of Scotland’s 

longest running 

greenfield festivals – 

is giving people a 

unique insight into its 

rich history and ethos 

with the launch of its 

very own podcast. 

The festival, which is known for putting on an 

exciting array of traditional, electronic and world 

music acts in the hills of Galloway every year, 

continues to find new and innovative ways to 

reach audiences in the midst of the pandemic. 

Following the cancellation of the event’s 2020 

edition, organisers put on an online version, 

Virtually Knockengorroch, which embodied the 

authentic, participatory nature of the event, 

allowing attendees to interact with performances 

via Zoom. The team behind Knockengorroch 

then went on to release a lockdown album, 

Sounds Like Knockengorroch, featuring 20 tracks 

from artists who have performed for them over 

the years. 

2021 sees the grassroots event continue to 

innovate with the launch of the new 

Knockengorroch podcast, bringing a taste of the 

festival to music fans. Listeners can tune in to 

hear festival producer Katch Holmes delve into 

the event’s unique archives, uncovering magical 

memories and tales from staff, volunteers, 

musicians and more. 

In its first episode, Beginnings, which is available 

now via the Knockengorroch website (link 

below), Katch talks to festival founders and 

Knockengorroch residents, Liz and Simon 

Holmes about why they started the festival. The 

Knockengorroch Festival co-founder Simon Holmes working 

on the festival’s special longhouse at the very beginning 

pair share the tale of social idealism, musical 

discovery and connection to land and heritage, 

that led to the creation of Knockengorroch. 

Jonny Hardie of Old Blind Dogs and Nick Jenkins 

of Outland Trio also feature on the debut podcast 

to share their memories of the very first festival 

back in 1998. 

The multi-episode podcast series is expected to 

run over the next few months, with plans for 

appearance from lots of exciting musical guests 

with a connection to Knockengorroch. 

Liz Holmes of Knockengorroch, said: “We 

continue to find new ways to bring the special 

experience of Knockengorroch to people both at 

home and around the world and we’re delighted 

to have launched our very own podcast. The 

podcast allows us to delve deep into the 

characters and stories of all of those who have 

played a part in the story of Knockengorroch so 

far and we hope it provides some comfort for our 

loyal fanbase while we put plans in place for the 

rescheduled festival this September.” 

Normally held in the beautifully secluded 

Carsphairn hills in south west Scotland every 

May, Knockengorroch plan to hold this year’s 

festival on 16 – 19 September 2021. The line-up 

will feature as many of the 2020 line-up as 

possible, showcasing cutting edge music from 

the UK, Ireland and much further afield. 

Tickets for Knockengorroch Festival 2021 are on 

sale now, via website below. 

www.knockengorroch.org.uk 

www.twitter.com/Knockengorroch 

www.facebook.com/Knockengorroch 

www.ticketsglasgow.com 

www.bethnielsenshapman.com 

www.fallenangelsclub.com 

facebook @ www.facebook.com/The-Fallen-Angels-Club-149553931728736 

twitter @ www.twitter.com/KevoMorris 



www.theeves.co.uk 

www.thelisteningstation.co.uk 

fb @ www.facebook.com/theevesmusic/ 

tweet @ www.twitter.com/theevesmusic 

listen: www.thelisteningstation.co.uk 

promoter: www.brookfield-knights.com 

www.lau-music.co.uk 

www.sjsdrums.com 

tweet @ www.twitter.com/sjsdrums 

shop @ www.open.spotify.com/album/4fUY7MhL6lycEO7Xft2NRN 

fb @ www.facebook.com/LAUband 

tweet @ www.twitter.com/LAUmusic 


page 14 


Emergency Scottish Government relief 

funds reach grassroots music venues 

82 venues across 

Scotland have received 

a total of 

£4million through 

the Scottish 

Government’s 

Grassroots Music 

Venues 

Stabilisation Fund 

delivered by 

Creative Scotland. 

"It is a welcome lifeline that recognises our place as an 

important venue in the live music landscape of Scotland.” 

Aimed at providing grassroots live music venues 

with emergency support to help address the impact 

of the Covid-19 pandemic and prevent closure, 

the £4million fund closed for the second 

round of applications on Wednesday 3 February 

2021. 

To date, over both funding rounds combined, 85 

venues across Scotland have now received a total 

of £6.2million through the Fund. £2.2millon 

was awarded in the first round in September 

2020. 

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "This is 

an incredibly difficult time for the live music sector 

and it is important that we support our 

grassroots music venues – which are key to our 

rich and diverse music scene – to survive until 

they can reopen. 

“This fund, part of our ongoing commitment to 

support cultural sectors during the pandemic, 

aims to do that by ensuring financial support 

reaches a wide variety of music venues across 

the country. 

“I thank the music sector for continuing to work 

with us to identify the most effective ways to 

help it.” 

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative 

Scotland said: “We’ve now been without live 

music for much longer than anyone could have 

imagined. Covid-19 has hit the music industry 

hard, and we all look forward to the day when 

musicians and audiences can get back together – 

in the same place, at the same time – to ignite 

the special spark of live performance. 

“Grassroots venues are where talented musicians 

test and perfect their original material, 

where careers are borne and local scenes have 

their deepest roots. The first round of awards 

from this fund covered the length of Scotland, 

from Dumfries to Kirkwall. The second round 

broadens that support, reaching Arran and the 

Summerhall :: photo by Mihaela Bodlovic 

East Neuk of Fife. These awards are proof of the 

confidence that the Scottish Government and 

Creative Scotland have in our music sector, its 

artists, its audiences, its technicians and, of 

course, its much-loved grassroots venues.” 

On receiving funding Glasgow’s Nice N 

Sleazy owner Ariki Porteous said: "It has 

been a relief to receive this fund considering a 

return to normal trading still looks to be some 

way off. This money will help stabilize the business 

in the short term and will pay our recent 

tax bills but even if we can open, until normal 

licence hours resume, and capacity restrictions 

are lifted then live music venues and clubs will 

continue to be in a vulnerable position." 

While owner of Edinburgh’s Summerhall, 

Rowan Campbell said: “Summerhall is immensely 

grateful for this award which will help to 

secure our staff, our ongoing costs while closed 

and our ability to reopen in the coming months. 

It is a welcome lifeline that recognises our place 

as an important venue in the live music landscape 

of Scotland.” 

And James Carr, Venue Manager at the 

Tooth & Claw in Inverness said: 

email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com 

"It means the world to us here at The Tooth & 

Claw to again be supported by The Scottish Government 

and Creative Scotland through the 

Grassroots Music Venue Stabilisation Fund. It will 

allow us to return and continue to support the 

local grassroots music scene and the extremely 

talented individuals that take to our stage. Like 

the general public we cannot wait for the return 

of live music!" 

This latest announcement represents the second 

round of the Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation 

Fund which closed for applications on 

Wednesday 3 February 2021. 

The first round of awards made through this 

Fund were announced in September 2020 with 

68 venues receiving a total of £2.2millon. Full 

information about the Fund, including eligibility 

and criteria, can be found here. 

The Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation Fund 

is one of a series of measures being put in place 

since March 2020, to help mitigate the immediate 

impacts of Covid-19 on the creative and cultural 

sector. 

A total of £74.9m in emergency COVID-19 funds 

for art and creativity are being delivered by 

Creative Scotland in 2020/21, made up of funds 

from the Scottish Government, the National Lottery 

and the Freelands Foundation. 

Emergency funding programmes include the Culture 

Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund; 

the Independent Cinemas Recovery and Resilience 

Fund; the Screen Scotland Freelancer 

Hardship Fund, the Creative Freelancer Hardship 

Fund; the Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Practice 

and the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund. 

For details on all funding programmes please 

visit: Funding Programmes | Creative Scotland 

More information about Covid-19 funding 

and resources can be accessed via 

www.FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot 

and through Creative Scotland’s 

Resource Directory for COVID-19. 

www.creativescotland.com 

www.twitter.com/CreativeScots 

www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland


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www.dougiemaclean.com 

www.butterstone.tv 

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page 16 


got a music news "story to tell"? then email our newsdesk: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com 

Kate Reid :: single - 'The Banks o’ Cree' 

Released :: Out Now @ www.katereid.online 

Burns’ Song Released 

For The First Time :: A 

love of Robert Burns’ 

songs and poetry 

started at a very early 

age for Scottish singer/ 

songwriter Kate Reid. 

So, it’s little wonder that she has turned to the Bard 

for inspiration for her first solo single, The Banks o’ 

Cree, which was recently released. 

To add to its significance, Glasgow-based Kate 

reckons this song has never been recorded before. 

“I can't put into words what it means to finally be 

releasing this song as I first recorded it away back in 

2014,” said Kate. 

“I am particularly happy with my version as it’s a 

lesser known Burns poem that, as far as I am aware, 

has not been recorded by anyone else 

“We set it to a bonny tune and I spent hours 

rehearsing, just listening to the guitar and piano parts 

over and over and over, and singing along in my head 

to get it absolutely spot on.” 

The B-side is The Flower of Fochabers from the Ord 

Collection, a book of traditional songs from the North 

East, where Ayrshire-born, Kate grew up. 

This first pair of songs are about love, both requited 

and unrequited, and take place on two Scottish river 

banks, one in Ayrshire and one in Aberdeenshire. 

“I was having a bit of a battle with life when I 

recorded them as I'd lost my direction and wandered 

completely off course,” said Kate. 

She had no-one to make music with, so decided to do 

it by herself which, Kate admits, was ‘a bold decision 

for someone feeling so blue.’ 

“But I worked with a very kind producer David McNee 

(formerly of The Paul McKenna Band) who bolstered 

my confidence and worked hard to get the best out of 

me, and I think he has,” she said. 

“I remember clearly the day we recorded the final 

version, it was a crisp Easter Sunday, the sun was 

shining, the birds were singing and the bells were 

ringing out right across Barrhead. 

“It’s a day I will never 

forget. I’m at my happiest 

in the vocal booth – nothing 

else comes close.” 

Coming from the North East 

corner of Scotland, she 

grew up with the Doric and 

can recite poetry in both 

Doric and Scots. 

Kate, who fell in love with Burns as a schoolgirl and 

spent time studying his complete works later in life, 

was an All-Scotland Accordion Champion at the age of 

14 and toured with the Banchory Strathspey and Reel 

Society while still at school, seeing the Niagara Falls 

and playing huge venues on a month-long tour of 

Quebec and Ontario. 

With her two sisters she formed a band, ‘The Midden’ 

and won a Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic 

Connections in 2001 before going on to tour Europe 

extensively. A support slot to Snow Patrol before a 

25,000-strong crowd at Glasgow’s Hogmanay in 2004 

remains a highlight. 

In 2017 she published her first book of poetry, 

‘Balnakeil’ and hosts a Sunday evening show on Celtic 

Music Radio. 

“I have poured my heart and soul into these latest 

recordings so I hope people will enjoy the music,” said 

Kate, who is planning to release a single every couple 

of months or so throughout 2021. 

The songs – A-side, The Banks o' Cree and B-side, 

The Flower of Fochabers is available for download 

from www.katereid.online and across all digital 

platforms. 

www.katereid.online 

Hector Shaw :: single - 'Gravity' 

Released :: Out Now @ most major digital / streaming platforms 

Emerging Scottish 

indie-roots artist 

Hector Shaw 

has released his 

debut single 

Gravity. 

Brought up in a family of acclaimed 

musicians, it was no surprise when 

Hector began etching out his first unique 

song ideas during school downtime. Now 

just 20 years old, Hector couldn’t wait to 

release his own material. 

Hector has grown up surrounded by the musical 

creativity of his parents: musician, composer and 

producer Donald Shaw (Celtic Connections/ 

Capercaillie) and revered songstress Karen Matheson 

(Capercaillie), whose collective passion for song has 

inspired Hector to forge his own artistic path. 

With Hector’s music already drawing favourable 

comparisons to the likes of Jeff Buckley and John 

Martyn, Gravity announces 

the arrival of an exciting 

young artist with 

captivating, warm vocals 

and intricate guitar work 

that features a rich palette 

of chordal colours. 

Hector Shaw’s vocals and 

guitar are accompanied on Gravity by Sorren Maclean 

on guitar, Hannah Fisher on backing vocals and 

Andrew Samson aka DUNT on drums. 

Hector said: “Gravity is a song that’s really close to 

my heart and explores the desperation of witnessing 

someone you care about suffering. The track talks of 

the confusion and longing you feel when you see that 

person distance themselves from the world. 

“Musically, I’m continually inspired by John Martyn 

and Joni Mitchell, particularly their percussive hybrid 

of folk and jazz guitar playing. I wanted to recreate 

that timbre in a song of my own. 

“This has been my first proper recording experience 

and I’m grateful to have had the chance to collobrate 

with the musicians involved and for their support. I’ll 

always look back on the experience of recording my 

first single with real fondness and now feel so excited 

to share it with others.” 

Originally from Glasgow and now studying English 

Literature at the University of Edinburgh, Hector 

quickly became part of the city’s normally burgeoning 

live music scene, selling out his first headline show 

with a full band at Sneaky Pete's in January 2020. 

He has performed with Scottish touring project Hit The 

Road, including a headline slot at Websters Theatre as 

part of the tour, and at a number of much-loved 

Glasgow venues such as The Hug and Pint as part of 

Celtic Connections, Stereo and Broadcast. He has also 

performed at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. 

The debut single was produced by Sorren Maclean and 

recorded and engineered by Gordon Maclean at An 

Tobar in Tobermory on Mull in September 2020. 

Hector plans to drop a string of singles in 2021, 

followed by his debut EP in the early summer. 

www.twitter.com/hectorshaw_ 

www.facebook.com/hecshawmusic 



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www.musicplus.org.uk 

https://twitter.com/musicplusmentor 

www.rabnoakes.com 

link: www.musicplus.org.uk 

twitter: https://twitter.com/musicplusmentor 

fb @ www.facebook.com/Rab-Noakes-Music-189260891282881 

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page 18 


got a music news "story to tell"? then email our newsdesk: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com 

Western Column :: single - 'Hear not Say' 

Released :: Out Now @ most major digital / streaming platforms 

Glasgow based DIY artist 

unleashing guitar-centric 

layers of feeling :: 

Western Column is the 

songwriting project of Glasgow 

based DIY musician Christopher 

Devine (Dutch Wine/Stock 

Manager) whose second single 

‘Hear not Say’ is due for release via Negative 

Hope Records. 

‘Hear not Say’ gives delicious guitar-centric layers of feeling with a 

shoegaze bent, as Devine’s dreamer vocals float over a driven guitar wall 

that spills over with a momentum that will have you wanting to listen 

again. 

Following on from sun drenched debut single ‘Golde’, ‘Hear not Say’ is the 

perfect follow up as Devine continues to build a name for himself as a solo 

artist 

“Having only been the third song I’ve entirely written myself, I feel like 

I’m still finding my feet and trying different things to see what sticks. 

“This track was a good bit of fun trying out ideas and more than anything 

it was a really good learning experience.” 

‘Hear not Say’ was recorded, mixed and mastered Melissa Brisbane, who 

also provides guest vocals on the track. 

www.facebook.com/westerncolumn 

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie :: album - 'A Night in the Windy City' 

Released :: 26 March @ https://blokshok.bigcartel.com/category/goodbye-mr-mackenzie 

Celebrated Edinburgh band Goodbye Mr 

MacKenzie release their new live album, 

A Night in the Windy City on 26 March, 

accompanied by the first part of a 

documentary DVD which was filmed at their 

recent Barrowland and Edinburgh gigs and 

touches on their colourful history 

One of the most intriguing Scottish bands of the late 80s/early 90s, 

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie, reformed in 2019. It was as unexpected as it was 

triumphant. A string of Scottish dates (with extra nights added) sold out 

in hours, culminating in a rammed Barrowland at the end of the year and 

a further two nights in their hometown of Edinburgh. Dingwalls in London 

also enjoyed a packed house and the atmosphere at all the gigs was as 

electric as their shows of three decades ago. 

The Barrowland gig was recorded and the resulting album, A Night In The 

Windy City, captures the essence of what has 

always made the MacKenzies a phenomenal live 

act. The documentary, Until The End OF the Road, 

produced and directed by Karen Lamond and Gigi 

Welch, includes incredible live footage from those 

recent gigs as well as older material shot on super 

8 from Berlin and around Europe where the band 

spent a lot of time recording and touring. 

So, the story goes that he band, who split in 1995 after releasing five 

albums and touring extensively, came back together in 2019 to mark the 

30th anniversary of their debut album Good Deeds and Dirty Rags. What 

started out as a few live performances to play Good Deeds in its entirety, 

ended up as a full-blown reunion. Further dates and festivals were in the 

diary for 2020 until Covid came a long, but are rescheduled for this 

year . . . 

The MacKenzies are remembered fondly as an amazing live band, though 

world-wide success inexplicably eluded them. Their first album went 

straight in to the charts at No 16. The Rattler was the single that 

attracted most attention and is still regularly played on the radio north of 

the border, as well as still getting occasional airings by the likes of Steve 

Lamacq on Radio 6. 

As the List said in their 50 Greatest Scottish Bands review: “The 

MacKenzies left behind the most complex and fascinating footprint of any 

Scottish band. Live they were stunning. Lead singer Martin Metcalfe 

looked like the MC of a particularly debauched cabaret troupe. While their 

Scottish counterparts were looking at soul and Steeleye Dan for 

inspiration the MacKenzies were taking theirs from The Pixies and The 

Birthday Party. 

Their legacy includes original member Shirley Manson who, before 

Garbage fame, formed offshoot band Angelfish (93-95) with three core 

members of the MacKenzies, Kelly, Metcalfe and Wilson. The four-piece 

toured the US and Europe and recorded one album produced by Talking 

Heads’ Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz. 

Metcalfe, Kelly and Wilson have also released critically acclaimed albums 

as Isa & The Filthy Tongues and, more recently, The Filthy Tongues who 

are currently working on their third album. 

Manson is still mightily busy with Garbage but the two other members of 

the original 6-piece, guitarist Big John Duncan and Rona Scobie 

(keyboards), are back in earnest. Big John (Exploited/Blood Uncles and 

one-time Nirvana affiliate) needs little introduction. This behemoth of the 

guitar has managed to return despite battling MS. From his home in 

Amsterdam he reckoned playing live again was beyond him but, like 

Lazarus, he has risen. 

A string of further dates including Belladrum Festival are scheduled for 

July, Covid permitting, with more later in the year. 

www.goodbyemrmackenzie.com 

www.twitter.com/gbmrmackenzie 





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your listen 'n' watch guide during lock-down 

:: a selection of music on scotland's tv + radio this week 

Music on 

Scottish 

TV & RADIO 

over the next 

week ... 

--------------------------------------- 

Celtic Music Radio 

Music all day every day from Glasgow 

promoting Celtic and roots music of all 

genres - at 95FM or online @ 

www.celticmusicradio.net 

--------------------------------------- 

LP Radio 

Independent Alternative digital radio, 

broadcasting live from the upstairs of LP 

Records in Glasgow, listen online @ 

www.lpradio.co.uk/listen 

--------------------------------------- 

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 

Mike Ritchie On Sunday: 4-6pm on 

Celtic Music Radio 95FM + DAB. 

Handpicked tunes from established acts, 

new voices and anything that takes my 

fancy from the wonderful worlds of 

americana, roots, folk, singer/ 

songwriters without worrying about 

labels. Voted Best Radio Show in 

americana-uk 2017 Readers' Poll. 


Your Requests with Gary Innes :: 

5.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Gary 

shares your messages and plays your 

Scottish music requests. 

www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland 

Jazz Nights :: 7pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Seonaid Aitken with the best 

in jazz music from contemporary to 

classic. 


Rewind :: 7.15pm on BBC Scotland. A 

look back at 2006, including music. 

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland 

Classics Unwrapped :: 9pm on BBC 

Radio Scotland. Jamie MacDougall 

presents the best in classical music. 


Seirm :: 10pm on BBC ALBA. Celtic 

Connections 2020/21. Trad and roots 

show with a cross section of music 

including SHOOGLENIFTY and ROSS 

AINSLIE. 

www.bbcalba.co.uk 

Iain Anderson :: 11pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. End the day in the company of 

the songwriting masters of country, folk, 

blues and soul. 


MONDAY 1 MARCH 

The Afternoon Show :: 1.30pm on 

BBC Radio Scotland. What is happening 

in music, arts and culture from across 

Scotland. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland 

Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 

6pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Bryan with 

essential music chosen by listeners. 


Vic Galloway :: 8pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Featuring sessions and new 

material from the best alternative 

artists. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland 


Scotland. Horse McDonald sits in - End 

the day in the company of the 

songwriting masters of country, folk, 



TUESDAY 2 MARCH 




Scotland. 






Another Country with Ricky Ross :: 

8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Ricky 

introduces you to new and classic 

Americana & Alternative Country. 


Roddy Hart :: 10pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Roddy shines a spotlight on 

great songwriting, both contemporary 

and classic. 


WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 









The Quay Sessions :: 8pm on BBC 

Radio Scotland. Roddy Hart welcomes 

dynamic duo SMITH & BURROWS to 

the show. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland 

Classic Scottish Albums :: 10pm on 

BBC Radio Scotland. Davie Scott hosts a 

reunion for THE DALGADOS to hear 

how they made 'The Great Eastern'. 


THURSDAY 4 MARCH 




Scotland. 






Travelling Folk :: 8pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Bruce MacGregor with the very 

best of folk and roots music from around 

the world. 


Sruth :: 9-10pm on BBC ALBA. New 

music series that explores the deep 

connections that link Scottish and Irish 

music. Each show gives young musicians 

the chance to meet their musical heroes. 

In this second episode, musician 

PÀDRUIG MORRISON from Grimsay in 

the Western Isles reveals how his 

upbringing informs his playing style. As 

well as performing with his musical 

peers in Grimsay, Pàdruig performs with 

BRÍD HARPER, the Co Donegal 

musician and one of the finest Irish 

traditional fiddlers of her generation. 

MEGAN NIC FHIONNGHAILE from 

Gaoth Dobhair is an award-winning 

fiddle player who grew up surrounded by 

the songs and traditional music of her 

area. Megan outlines her life in music 

and is excited when one of her musical 

heroes, PHIL CUNNINGHAM, travels to 

Belfast to perform with her. 


The Musical Path :: 10pm on BBC 

ALBA. Showcasing new cutting edge acts 

from the Scottish and Irish traditional 

scene. www.bbcalba.co.uk 

Natasha Raskin Sharp :: 10pm on 

BBC Radio Scotland. An eclectic mix of 

music from #natasharadio 


FRIDAY 5 MARCH 

The Afternoon Show :: 2pm on BBC 

Radio Scotland. What is happening in 

music, arts and culture from across 


Grant Stott's Vinyl Collective :: 6pm 

on BBC Radio Scotland. Celebrating the 

vinyl revival with classic records and 

new releases. 


BBC Introducing in Scotland :: 8pm 

on BBC Radio Scotland. The best 

unsigned, undiscovered and under-theradar 

music Scotland has to offer. 


Email your virtual gig dates to alastair.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

your listen 'n' watch guide during lock-down 

:: a selection of music on scotland's tv + radio this week 

The Musical Path :: 9pm on BBC ALBA. 

A look at the rise of Celtic music in the 

70s, 80s and 90s, led by bands such as 

Runrig. www.bbcalba.co.uk 

Ashley Storrie :: 10-10.30pm on BBC 

Radio Scotland. New and classic Scottish 

music, soul rockabilly, pop and indie 

from around the world. 


ALT :: 10.45pm on BBC ALBA. 

Highlights from ALT. Music from THE 

SKIDS, MAKENESS and chat from 

CLARE GROGAN. www.bbcalba.co.uk 

Seirm :: 11pm on BBC ALBA. Celtic 

Connections 2020/21. Trad and roots 

show with a cross section of music 

including SHOOGLENIFTY and ROSS 

AINSLIE. www.bbcalba.co.uk 

SATURDAY 6 MARCH 

Take The Floor :: 7pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. For the very best in traditional 

music and song, join Gary Innes for 

Take The Floor. 


Port :: 7.45pm on BBC ALBA. Previously 

unseen music from Port. 


Pipeline :: 9pm on BBC Radio Scotland. 

Gary West presents the definitive pipe 

music programme, featuring news and 

recordings from the piping world. 


Seirm Celtic Connections :: 9-10pm 

on BBC ALBA. Trad and roots music 

show presented by acclaimed musician 

and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy. 

Seirm Celtic Connections was filmed in 

the Arches in 2021 with appearances 

from some of the best musicians from 

Scotland. The fourth programme 

features a cross section of music from 

the world of trad and folk music 

including GNOSS, RACHEL NEWTON 

and DE TEMPS ANTAN. 


Billy Sloan :: 10pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Hot new releases plus rock 

and pop music from Scotland and 

around the world. 


Rewind :: 11.45pm on BBC Scotland. A 

look back at 1998, including music. 

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland 

ALT :: 00.45am on BBC ALBA. 

Highlights from ALT. Music from 

TRAVIS. www.bbcalba.co.uk 

SUNDAY 7 MARCH 

Stark Talk - PATRICK DOYLE :: 7am 

on BBC Radio Scotland. Edi Stark talks 

to the twice Oscar nominated world class 

composer, Patrick Doyle, who is behind 

dozens of film scores . 


Mike Ritchie On Sunday: 4-6pm on 

Celtic Music Radio 95FM + DAB. 

Handpicked tunes from established acts, 

new voices and anything that takes my 

fancy from the wonderful worlds of 

americana, roots, folk, singer/ 

songwriters without worrying about 

labels. Voted Best Radio Show in 

americana-uk 2017 Readers' Poll. 


Your Requests with Gary Innes :: 

5.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Gary 

shares your messages and plays your 

Scottish music requests. 


Jazz Nights :: 7pm on BBC Radio 

Scotland. Seonaid Aitken with the best 

in jazz music from contemporary to 

classic. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland 

Classics Unwrapped :: 9pm on BBC 

Radio Scotland. Jamie MacDougall 

presents the best in classical music. 



Scotland. End the day in the company of 

the songwriting masters of country, folk, 



THURSDAY 11 MARCH 

Sruth :: 9-10pm on BBC ALBA. A new 

music series, narrated by Angela 

NicEachain, Sruth is a showcase for the 

best new talent in Ireland and Scotland. 

County Tyrone singer NIALL HANNA 

has been influenced by his grandfather, 

Geordie Hanna, and Geordie’s sister, 

SARAH ANN O’NEILL, famous for 

traditional singing in Ireland. Winner of 

the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, 

and 2016 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk 

award, Scotland’s BRÌGHDE 

CHAIMBEUL is making her mark on 

stages around the world. Brìghde’s 

music has roots in Gaelic language and 

culture. As well as bringing viewers the 

stars of traditional music from both sides 

of Sruth na Maoile, this episode has 

musical guests JULIE FOWLIS, 

TIARNÁN Ó DUINNCHINN, 

KATHLEEN MACINNES, LEN GRAHAM 

& DR ANGUS MACDONALD. 


web @ www.musicplus.org.uk 

tweet @ www.twitter.com/musicplusmentor 

Email your virtual gig dates to alastair.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

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