MNS-Nov21-30

30 : 11 : 21
SocialFolk offers support folk musicians - p4
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards - p3 :: Phil Cunningham Xmas Songbook - p20
Youth music project Hit The Road is
back on tour with December dates
Initiated and run by Scottish
Music Centre and funded by
Creative Scotland’s Youth
Music Initiative (YMI) and
PRS Foundation, Hit The
Road provides early-stage
musicians age 14-19 the
opportunity to learn about
the live industry before
embarking on a
professionally managed tour.
Hit The Road is delighted to announce Sean Bonner,
Shorthouse and Leiah Maitland will perform in
Edinburgh's Mash House (Wednesday 15 December),
Glasgow's Webster Playhouse (Thursday 16
December) and Stirling Tolbooth (Friday 17
December).
Shorthouse is the musical alias of 19-year-old
Edinburgh-based, Dunfermline-born singer songwriter
Rob McLaughlin, Sean Bonner is a 15-year-old singer
songwriter (and actor) from Glasgow and Leiah
Maitland is an 18-year-old singer songwriter from
Crieff.
The initiative has acted as an early stepping-stone in
the careers of Scotland’s emerging musicians and
songwriters including Lewis Capaldi, Be Charlotte, klo,
Parliamo, RILEY, Deni Smith, Zoë Bestel, Velvet, Keir
Gibson, Angry Man Car Park. Ahead of each tour,
musicians attend expert masterclasses, sessions and
workshops covering everything from production to
performance, royalties and marketing. Hit The Road
equips young musicians with the knowledge, contacts
and tools necessary to work and crucially, tour within
the modern live sector.
Gill Maxwell, Executive Director, Scottish Music
Centre, said:
“At last, after nearly 2 years of music industry
shutdown, Hit The Road is back with three talented
young artists from Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh.
All our venues have 14+ licences so that new young
audiences can see and support their local acts.
Our nationwide team of music industry mentors guide
the selected artists through stagecraft, song choice,
press and pr, while our pro photographers will provide
a set of individually tailored promo pics.
We can’t wait to see and hear Leiah, Sean and Rob on
tour with Hit The Road this December!”
You can find out more about
Hit The Road and apply @
www.hittheroad.org.uk
www.scottishmusiccentre.com
Leiah Maitland :: www.instagram.com/leiah.music/
www.hittheroad.org.uk
www.twitter.com/HitTheRoadTours
www.facebook.com/hittheroadscotland
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

page 2
music news scotland
www.birnamcd.com/artists-0721
www.johnnysteinberg.com
www.foxstarrecords.com
www.mishramusic.co.uk
www.stonehavenfolkclub.co.uk
www.tommclelland.co.uk
www.birnamcdshop.com
www.birnamcd.com
www.birnammusic.com
www.birnamshop.com
info@birnamcd.com
www.facebook.com/BirnamCD
www.twitter.com/BirnamCD
click links directly in advert for artists or go to www.birnamcd.com/artists-0121
FB @ www.facebook.com/BirnamCD
tweet @ www.twitter.com/BirnamCD
www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

music news scotland page 3
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2021
Full details @ https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmusicawards/
#NaTrads21 #HUFTOnline #BBCALBA
The MG ALBA Scots Trad
Music Awards rocks the scene
by championing top Scottish
traditional musicians of all
genres, recognising, and
celebrating the wealth of talent
via phenomenal performances,
which this year will be live at
Glasgow’s Engine Works, and on
BBC ALBA at 9pm on 4
December.
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland
said: “For many people, music is the heart and soul of their
daily lives. During lockdown we lost not only concert-hall
performances but also face-to-face lessons, fireside sessions,
and community get-togethers. This year’s MG ALBA Scots
Trad Music Awards ceremony is therefore a perfectly timed
opportunity to celebrate both the return of our live music
scene and the wonders that artists delivered online to keep
the spirit of Na Trads alive during the darkest of days.
“Scotland’s traditional music continues to thrive because our
heritage, which draws from rich indigenous languages, is
passed on from generation to generation. That’s why
Creative Scotland is particularly proud to sponsor the Janet
Paisley Services to Scots Language Award and, through the
Youth Music Initiative, the Music Tutor of the Year Award.
We’re also delighted to support Hands Up For Trad and the
vital work it does year-round.”
Featuring live performances from Ímar, Dàimh, Hannah
Rarity, The Canny Band and more to come, the highly
regarded annual Awards give recognition to excellence within
Scotland's thriving traditional musical culture.
Encompassing all aspects of making and playing music from
composing, Gaelic song, folk and Scottish dance music to
pipe bands and a host of others in between, each year sees a
lively and enthusiastic crowd enjoying some of the biggest
names as the industry and audiences join to honour singers,
instrumentalists, composers, and songwriters, including the
prestigious Gaelic Singer of the Year, and Musician of the
Year, Awards.
Anna-Wendy Stevenson, Senior Lecturer and
Programme Leader BA (Hons) Applied Music
confirmed: “As the music industry re-groups and adapts
after the disruption of the pandemic it is crucial that we
celebrate and showcase the incredible talent that drives the
music industry and connects communities in a myriad of
ways. The University of the Highlands and Islands is
delighted to continue to sponsor the Musician of the Year
Award and recognise the importance of the MG ALBA Scots
Traditional Music Awards, in bringing together organisations
across music in Scotland to support the development of and
recognise the work and talent of our musicians”
Duncan Byatt, President of the Highland Society of
London, added: “Gaelic singing has been at the forefront of
the recent surge of interest in learning and using Gaelic, and
the Highland Society of London is delighted to sponsor the
award for Gaelic Singer of the Year once again at the Trads.
Our congratulations to each of the four nominees and to all
who participate in this medium.”
This year the annual Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame
is sponsored by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and will be a special
feature within the main Awards. Arthur Cormack, Chief
Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “Fèisean nan
Gàidheal believes in recognising the significant contribution
Dùsgadh by Breabach is shortlisted in 'Original Work of the Year' sponsored by PRS for Music
:: www.facebook.com/Breabach
to our culture of some of our most celebrated performers
and we are delighted to once again support the Traditional
Music Hall of Fame. The main focus of our work is supporting
community Fèisean to pass on aspects of Gaelic culture and
traditional music to young people. Gaelic and Scots culture
relies on oral transmission, learning from the carriers of our
songs, tunes, dances and stories. Over the past 18 months
traditional musicians and singers have brought pleasure to
people as never before so our thanks go to this year’s
inductees with congratulations to them and their families.”
With live music and event restrictions in place since
lockdown began, Hands Up for Trad has been working hard
since March 2020 to support artists and provide alternative
platforms for musicians to reach their audiences, fundraise
and sell tickets online, and following a successful Scots
Language Awards in Dundee on in September, the MG ALBA
Scots Trad Music Awards in November marks their second
live event since restrictions began, and a renewed
partnership with MG ALBA to broadcast the Awards live.
Margaret Cameron, Commissioning Editor and Head of
Creative Collaborations said: “MG ALBA are proud to once
again sponsor the Scots Trad Music Awards – we understand
how important the traditional music scene is across Scotland,
and in particular amongst our Gaelic communities. Being
able to bring community moments such as the Trads to BBC
ALBA at this special time of year for our audiences is a
pleasure. It also recognizes these stellar artists and the
ingenuity and resilience of the traditional music community
after the challenges of the last 18 months.”
Public nominations took place in October and the 2021
Nominees for the Public Vote were:
Original Work of the Year sponsored by PRS for Music:
Calum MacPhail (7 Years Old) / Adam Sutherland (Fatma's
Waltz) / Breabach (Dùsgadh) / Jack Badcock (The Driftwood
Project) / Inge Thomson (Wild Edges)
Community Project of the Year sponsored by Greentrax
Recordings: Cabraich Community Arts, Stornoway (Online
Skills and Ceilidh) / Dee and Don Ceilidh Collective’s (‘Our
Rivers and Glens’ project) / Riddell Fiddles’ (Two Towns
Housing Estate Youth Musical Outreach Programme) /
Stonehaven Folk Club (Folk in Crisis Concerts)
Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland: Capers in
Cannich / Celtic Connections / Eden Court Under Canvas / In
The Tradition (Edinburgh International Festival Traditional
Music Programme 2021) / National Association of Accordion
and Fiddle Clubs (NAAFC) (Virtual Festival 2021)
Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by The Highland
Society of London: Ainslie Hamill / Iain 'Costello' Maciver /
Kim Carnie / Mairi Macmillan
Musician of the Year sponsored by The University of the
Highlands and Islands: Ali Levack / Findlay Napier / Ingrid
Henderson / Iona Fyfe / Mhairi Hall
Online Performance of 2021 sponsored by Gordon Duncan
Memorial Trust: Alec Dalglish (Live Streams) / An Tobar
(Summer Sessions) / Làn-Dùil (Online Festival) / Norrie
"Tago" MacIver (Live Streams) / Ron Jappy (Vincular Album
Launch)
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by
Traditional Music and Song Association: Beth Malcolm /
Calum McIlroy / Cameron Nixon / Ellie Beaton
Trad Video of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound: Ali
email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
Levack (Adahs Way) / Bruce MacGregor (Doddies Dream) /
Lewis McLaughlan (Summer) / Mhairi Macmillan (Mairead
nan Cuiread) / Lapwyng (Pretty Girl - Valtos Remix)
Trad Music in the Media sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig:
Ceòl is Cràdh’ (BBC ALBA) / Tartan Tunes / Taynuilt
Ceilidh’s / The 22nd Annual Pipes of Christmas – 2020 / The
Clan Currie Society / The Learned Kindred of Currie
Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal
Conservatoire of Scotland: Arthur Coates / John Dew /
Madderam / The Canny Band
Music Tutor of the Year Award sponsored by Creative
Scotland's Youth Music Initiative: Imogen Bose Ward
(Fiddle) / Isla Ratcliff (Scots Music Group) / Michael Bryan
(Guitar) / Craig Muirhead (Director of Piping and Drumming
at Strathallan School)
Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD: Ross & Ryan
Couper (And Den Dey Made Tae) / Brian Ó hEadhra &
Fionnag NicChonnich (Cairdeas) / Rachel Walker (Gaol) / Mec
Lir (Livewire) / Whyte (MAIM) / Duncan Lyall (Milestone) /
The Chair (Orkney Monster) / Karen Matheson (Still Time) /
Gnoss (The Light of The Moon) / Kris Drever (Where the
World Is Thin)
Within the Awards and the programme, three further pillars
of the Scots Trad Music community will be recognised
through special awards; the ‘Janet Paisley Services to
Scots Language Award sponsored by Creative Scotland’,
the ‘Services to Gaelic Award sponsored by Bòrd na
Gàidhlig’, and the ‘Hamish Henderson Award for
Services to Traditional Music’.
Stuart Fleming, Senior Relationship Manger for
Scotland and Northern Ireland, PRS for Music, said:
“PRS for Music is proud to once again be supporting the
Original Work of the Year category at the MG ALBA Scots
Trad Music Awards. It is great to see these important awards
returning to champion all the gifted, homegrown, creative
writers within the traditional Scottish music scene. The
pandemic has been challenging for us all, yet those
shortlisted have continued to produce inspiring work. Our
warmest congratulations to all of this year’s talented
nominees, and we look forward to celebrating with you in
person this December.”
Organising body, Hands Up for Trad funded by The National
Lottery through Creative Scotland, was formed in 2002 and
exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish
traditional music through information, advocacy and
education to artists, participants and audiences.
Hands Up for Trad’s Creative Director Simon Thoumire
said: “Since lockdown it’s been a huge team effort to
process the change needed, to provide musicians and crews
with support due to cancelled gigs, and provide audiences
with much needed entertainment and culture, so I am
thankful and delighted with everyone who’s nominated and
cannot wait to see live performances again this year, and
work with MG ALBA to bring the atmosphere and the Trad
Awards into living rooms.”
Due to Covid-19 restrictions sadly only sponsors and
nominees can attend this year’s Awards in person.
www.scotstradmusicawards.com
www.twitter.com/handsupfortrad
www.facebook.com/handsupfortrad

page 4
music news scotland
Scotland’s Folk Musicians Up
Their Game With Post-Pandemic
Social Media Support – Apply Now
#SocialFolk
Folk musicians in
Scotland are being
offered specialist
support to improve
their presence on
social media
platforms thanks to a
new initiative from
some of Scotland’s
leading music
organisations.
SocialFolk, funded by Creative Scotland, offers
musicians the chance to sign up to free one-toone
social media training with social media
experts. Gill Maxwell, Executive Director of
the Scottish Music Centre, one of the
SocialFolk partners, said, ‘The covid-19
pandemic has brought about many challenges
for the music industry, not least the need for
artists to possess a broad range of skills and
knowledge across social media platforms. The
loss of live work and need to adapt to new and
unfamiliar ways of working in the past eighteen
months has brought this sharply into focus.’
The SocialFolk website, was launched on Monday
25 October, is according to Lisa Whytock of
Showcase Scotland Expo, ‘a one-stop shop
Scotland-based traditional, folk, acoustic and
roots musicians to hone their digital marketing
skills.’
It contains free social media and digital
marketing advice videos delivered by top folk
musicians including Daniel Gillespie of
Skerryvore and former BBC Young Trad Musician
of the Year, Kristan Harvey. Harvey who plays
with the bands, Blazin Fiddles and Fara
said, ‘Getting to grips with social media has
been a huge learning curve for me. I’ve invested
a lot of time figuring out our audience and where
our market is, using the demographic material
that the platforms make available.’
David Francis, Director of the Traditional
Music Forum, commented, ‘We had
discovered anecdotally that many artists are not
confident about their social media skills: they
are unsure about what content to post, how
often and where. Those anecdotal impressions
were underscored by the formal survey we
undertook in last year in which artists were
asked about their understanding of social media,
their awareness of various channels and how
they can benefit artistic careers in an
increasingly digital world.’
The organisers plan to make up to 60 one to one
sessions available. Applications will be offered
through a form on the website (link below).
www.socialfolk.scot
web @ www.hittheroad.org.uk
facebook @ www.facebook.com/hittheroadscotland
www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

music news scotland page 5
www.skerryvore.com
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page 6
music news scotland
SCOTTISH MUSIC CENTRE .........
Member Profile :: Pete Stollery
www.scottishmusiccentre.com/pete-stollery
"The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community"
Pete Stollery studied
composition with Jonty
Harrison at the University
of Birmingham and was
one of the first members
of BEAST in the early
1980s. Following a
number of years as a
school teacher in Kent, he
moved to Aberdeen to
work in teacher education
at the former Northern
College which later
merged with the
University of Aberdeen.
From 2000, he was part of the team which reintroduced
music programmes at the University
of Aberdeen, including the introduction of
doctoral programmes in Composition and the
development of the electroacoustic music
studios. He was Head of the Department of
Music for many years and he now works there
part-time as Professor of Composition and
Electroacoustic Music.
Pete Stollery
:: photo by Spud ‘n Duck
In 1996, along with Alistair MacDonald, Robert
Dow and Simon Atkinson, he established the
group invisiblEARts whose aim is to perform
acousmatic music throughout Scotland and to
promote Scottish acousmatic music to a wider
audience, both within Scotland and abroad.
In 2004 he was part of the setting up of
sound, a new music incubator in NE Scotland
which runs an annual festival of new music
featuring composers and performers from
around Europe, as well as year long activity
including opportunities for composers and
performers of all stages.
Pete Stollery composes music for concert hall
performance, particularly acousmatic music
and more recently has created work for
outside the concert hall, including sound
installations and internet projects. His main
interest is in how humans respond to sounds
in their immediate surroundings, in particular
sounds that are not necessarily intended for
listening purposes, as well as how an
engagement with sound relates to the idea of
place.
His creative work exists as electroacoustic
compositions, sound installations, web-based
sound art, as well as instrumental/vocal
compositions.
Latest project ::
Pete is presently making recordings in
Aberdeen which are examples of sounds which
changed during the COVID-19 lockdown or
which might have changed since the lockdown
ended, and he is asking for your help on this -
to let him know about any sounds where you
have noticed a change.
Any sound or location can be suggested, as
long as it is located in Aberdeen or north east
Scotland. He needs information about the
sound, such as location, how the sound
changed, what you feel about that change and
any other information you can provide. You can
enter this information using this form @
http://bit.ly/changingsoundscapes
Pete said: "I will then make a recording at that
location and put that recording, along with the
information you have provided, on a sound
map. I will also use the sound as source
material for a new piece of sound art reflecting
the changes that took place. Many thanks in
advance for your help!"
You can listen to some of Pete's tracks @
https://electrotheque.com/bio/stollery_pe
www.petestollery.com
www.twitter.com/petestollery
www.facebook.com/petestollery.composer.soundartist
The Scottish Music Centre currently supports in excess of
100 composer, group/small business and corporate members
To find out more about the benefits of SMC membership,
visit http://scottishmusiccentre.com/services/membership-schemes/
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
www.scottishmusiccentre.com : www.twitter.com/scottishmusic : www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre
"The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community"

music news scotland page 7
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www.facebook.com/BirnamCD
https://twitter.com/BirnamCD
www.birnamcd.com
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web @ www.birnamcd.com
shop @ www.birnamcdshop.com
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page 8
the mns collection ….
music news scotland
MCPS and PRS sign
service agreement
extension until 2025
View all the MNS digital
publications from links at
www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
UK collection societies,
Mechanical-Copyright
Protection Society
Limited (MCPS) and
Performing Right
Society (PRS), have
announced a new service
agreement until the end
of 2025, reaffirming their
long-standing partnership.
The new deal will see PRS for Music continue
to provide its market-leading rights
management services to MCPS and its
members. It also allows MCPS and PRS to
continue their joint licensing of mechanical
and performing rights, simplifying the
process of obtaining rights for thousands of
customers, while providing significant
administrative cost savings for rightsholders.
The agreement reaffirms a shared
commitment to a comprehensive licensing
and growth strategy, alongside the common
aims of maximising the value of the rights
represented.
Established in 1924, just 10 years after the
formation of PRS, and owned by the Music
Publishers Association (MPA), MCPS joined
an operational alliance with the Performing
Right Society Limited in 1997, known as the
MCPS-PRS Alliance. The two organisations
announced the restructuring of the
partnership in 2013, with MCPS moving to
its current status as a customer of PRS for
Music. In 2017, following an extensive
Request for Proposal (RfP) process and new
agreement, PRS for Music was awarded the
right to deliver end-to-end services to MCPS.
Today’s agreement signifies another new
chapter, and further positive evolution and
collaboration between the two entities, on
behalf of their members.
Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for
Music, said: “Our partnership with MCPS
dates back almost 25 years. In that time,
the music landscape has changed vastly and
continues to do so. We are pleased to have
renewed our agreement and collaboration
with MCPS for the licensing and distribution
of mechanical royalties, an agreement that
greatly benefits our shared customers and
members in this tech and data-driven world.
We are looking forward to continuing our
vital work with MCPS, as we strive to
optimise our partnerships and joint ventures
to maximise member income.”
Paul Clements, CEO, MCPS, said: "We are
delighted to confirm a new deal with our
established partners, PRS for Music.
Together, we continue to be committed to
ensuring the best possible outcomes for our
publisher, songwriter and composer
members, while maintaining our shared
value of customer-centricity.”
About PRS for Music ::
PRS for Music represents the rights of over
155,000 songwriters, composers, and music
publishers in the UK and around the world.
On behalf of its members, it works
competitively to diligently grow and protect
the value of their rights and ensure that
creators are paid transparently and
efficiently whenever their musical
compositions and songs are streamed,
downloaded, broadcast, performed and
played in public. In 2020, 22.4 trillion
performances of music were reported to PRS
for Music with £699m paid out in royalties to
its members, making it one of the world’s
leading music collective management
organisations. www.prsformusic.com
PRS for Music is the brand name used by the
Performing Right Society Limited (PRS) and
its operating company PRS for Music
Limited.
About MCPS ::
The Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society
(MCPS) collects royalties for music publisher
and songwriter/composer members alike,
when their music is reproduced, in any
format – including online, physical and
synchronised in audio visual programmes.
MCPS will collect and pay royalties to
you when your music is ...
* Copied and used as physical products
(such as CDs and DVDs)
* Streamed or downloaded on services such
as Spotify, Apple Music or iTunes
* Synchronised into audio-visual
entertainment including TV, film, advertising
* On radio
The MPA Group owns and operates MCPS on
behalf of over 30,000 music publisher and
songwriter/composer members.
About the MPA Group ::
The Music Publishers Association (MPA)
represents the full diversity of the UK’s
music publishing sector. They act on behalf
of over 200 businesses that invest in, license
works by and support the livelihoods of
songwriters, composers and lyricists –
ranging from the UK’s largest and most
established music publishers to
independents and start-ups across all
genres. These companies are the engine
room of British music, they support our
music makers and drive an extraordinary
cultural and economic success story.
www.prsformusic.com
www.mpaonline.org.uk
email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

music news scotland page 9
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page 10
music news scotland
Scottish Alternative Music Award Winners
TAAHLIAH, LVRA and Union Of Knives performed at live ceremony
Winners of the 12th
Scottish Alternative
Music Awards
(SAMA) were honoured
at a ceremony on 27
November at Glasgow's
Saint Luke's which
celebrated the
creativity, innovation
and resilience of
musicians across
Scotland over the past
12 months.
Hosted by new music champion Jim Gellatly and poet
Leyla Josephine, the event saw AISHA, Bee Asha,
Bemz, Dictator, Dvne, K4CIE and Lizzie Reid beat
outstanding competition to become winners at this
year's SAMA, past recipients of which include Gerry
Cinnamon, Lewis Capaldi and The Snuts.
BBC Radio DJs Vic Galloway, Shereen Cutkelvin and
Phoebe Inglis-Holmes presented the awards to the
seven winners during the celebratory evening which
also featured exclusive live sets from double SAMA
2020 winner TAAHLIAH, recent Sound Of Young
Aisha
www.facebook.com/aisha.gla
:: photo by Alice Hadden
Bee Asha
www.facebook.com/beeashabish
:: photo by Alice Hadden
Scotland awardee LVRA and cult noughties band Union
Of Knives.
The seven SAMA 2021 winners were chosen by the
public over a three-day online vote earlier in
November. A record 15,000 votes were cast on a
shortlist of 28 of Scotland's best emerging artists as
selected by the country's top industry professionals.
Richy Muirhead, founder of Scottish Alternative
Music Awards, says: “The event was a fantastic
celebration of our rich music culture here in Scotland
as demonstrated with the 7 deserving winners. The
live showcase performances were really powerful,
energetic and show that artists really thrive in an
environment where they can connect and interact with
live audiences.”
Winner of the Best Acoustic category was Lizzie
Reid, a Glasgow artist whose emotional honesty and
poise has earned her comparisons with Angel Olsen,
Laura Marling and even Edith Piaf. Recorded with
producer Oli Barton-Wood just days before the March
2020 lockdown, her Cubicle EP has been supported by
BBC Radio, Radio X and a growing fanbase who
identify with her reflective songs of heartbreak and
personal discovery.
Hard dance enthusiast Rosie Shannon aka AISHA was
named as Best Electronic Act, both in recognition of
her residency at Glasgow's long-loved Animal Farm
night and her own highly-charged productions such as
April's Sunna EP, her third collaboration with fellow
techno stalwart Quail.
Emerging victorious from a particularly strong set of
nominees as Best Hip Hop artist was Kacie McAdam
aka K4CIE, a DJ and producer praised for her
www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
LVRA
www.facebook.com/lvraofficial
:: photo by Alice Hadden
innovative approach to hip hop and trap as well as her
efforts popularising the genres on Scottish dancefloors
through her inclusive party night PEACH and as coowner
of Glasgow's 644 Studios.
Bemz was named as Best Live Act, voters likely
inspired by magnetic performances to sold-out crowds
with The Snuts and as headliner at Glasgow’s Poetry
Club. Born in Nigeria as Jubemi Iyiku, Bemz has lived
in Scotland since his early teens and, alongside artists
such as Aberdeen's Chef and Paisley's Washington
(both of whom feature on Bemz's recent M4 EP), is at
the forefront of the country's burgeoning hip hop
scene.
Recently signed to the world-beating Metal Blade
label, Edinburgh five-piece Dvne won Best Metal Act
for their ambitious and imaginative prog metal. Taking
their name from the Frank Herbert sci-fi classic,
Dvne's current album Etemen Ænka is their finest
distillation yet of land-rupturing weight and intricate
melodic grace.
Best Newcomer winner was announced as Bee
Asha, the unique Dunbar talent hitherto known as
one third of Scotland's foremost female rap group The
Honey Farm. Like her impressive documentary project
Spit It Out, her recent spoken word debut album From
Girl To Men explores the intersections between bad
sex, power and desire with breath-catching insight
and cutting wit.
Guaranteed for big things in 2022 is Edinburgh-based
foursome Dictator, winner of the Best Rock/
Alternative category. Though members first met at
school in Livingston over a decade ago, Dictator only
took life in 2019 over a couple of jam sessions and an
appreciation for the cross-genre eclecticism of Gorillaz
and Alt-J. Fan favourite Anthem For A Doomed Youth
quickly followed that year, with Dictator's early runs of
sold-out gigs only being cut short by the pandemic. A
slew of buoyant but reflective singles followed in
2021, as well as sustained support from actor Robert
Carlyle and a deal with Edinburgh's Blackhall Records,
which released the atmospheric Candlemaker Row
earlier this month.
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative
Scotland said: “Yet again the SAMAs have shown us
where to look and listen if we want to know where the
most exciting music in Scotland is being made. The
2021 winners revel in different styles and diverse
backgrounds, fired up by the energy and creativity
that has taken us through lockdown and out the other
side. With the SAMAs as Creative Scotland‘s partner
on the HANG conference and showcase, it’s
particularly encouraging to see hip hop score so
strongly at this year’s awards.”
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music news scotland page 11
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music news scotland
Edinburgh approves amazing landmark
performance venue - The Dunard Centre
1,000 capacity centre is an exciting new destination for music lovers
The Dunard Centre, supported
by Royal Bank of Scotland, is set
to be Edinburgh’s first purposebuilt
music and performance venue
in over 100 years after City of
Edinburgh Council approved the
plans at today’s Development
Management Sub Committee.
One of the boldest ventures in the city’s contemporary story,
with the visionary support of Dunard Fund, the hall is
ingeniously inserted just behind Dundas House off St Andrew
Square. The 1,000 capacity Dunard Centre transforms a
forgotten site into an exciting new destination for music
lovers.
Roddy Woomble, lead vocalist with Idlewild said: “It's
always exciting to hear about a new arts and music venue
opening in Edinburgh. Since I've known the city, many great
venues have come and gone, but the Dunard Centre sounds
like it will be here to stay - an ambitious, creative space that
will encourage and showcase local talent, alongside national
and international performers. New music is always going
somewhere in Edinburgh and the Dunard centre will see that
it gets there.”
As the cultural flagship for the Edinburgh and South East
Scotland City Region Deal, the Dunard Centre will fill a
recognised gap in the region’s cultural infrastructure and
provide a platform for local, national and international
musicians to perform to audiences in a hall designed to rival
the very best in the world.
Expert consultants Nagata Acoustics have been working with
award-winning David Chipperfield Architects on the sleek
auditorium design, which will welcome acclaimed UK and
international musicians from the worlds of classical,
traditional, jazz, pop, world and folk music. Nagata’s
previous high-profile projects include the Walt Disney
Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Philharmonie de Paris and
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, all venues renowned for their
rich and immersive sound. David Chipperfield Architects have
made their name around the world working on historic
renovations and designing contemporary buildings including
projects in UNESCO world heritage sites, such as the Neues
Museum and James-Simon-Galerie on Berlin’s Museum
Island, and the Procuratie Vecchie on St. Mark’s Square in
Venice.
The new building will be a place where people can come
together to experience incredible performances, with
unexpected collaborations and bold programming designed to
appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes. The flexible
setting will be a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as
well as host for other ensembles, choirs, solo musicians and
bands.
Anna Meredith said: “Delighted to write in support of the
proposed new venue in Edinburgh. As someone who works
across creative genres, this kind of space is especially
exciting to me as it offers the flexibility to allow artists to
work across mediums and realise their work to its full
potential.”
A welcoming café and an all-day events schedule will ensure
the Centre’s contribution as a cultural hub and showcase
venue, with education and community outreach programmes
encouraging participation throughout the region.
The new performance venue is a much-needed investment
for Edinburgh which continues to be the world’s festival city.
Other cultural destinations in the world are investing heavily
in new venue infrastructure, leaving Edinburgh, which has
not had a new hall in 100 years, at risk of lagging behind.
Welcoming the decision, Fergus Linehan, Festival
Director and CEO of Edinburgh International Festival
and co-chair of IMPACT Scotland said: “The Council’s
decision today is fantastic news for the city and for music in
Scotland. Edinburgh is a city famous for its cultural life and
home to world-renowned arts festivals which generate over
£300 million for the Scottish economy, but it lags behind
many other cities in its provision of cultural infrastructure
which currently deters some artists from choosing to perform
in the city. By creating a modern hall with outstanding
facilities and acoustics, we are closing the recognised gap in
the region’s cultural infrastructure and helping to sustain
Edinburgh’s position as a leading cultural city against
national and international competition. At the same time, we
are creating a year-round cultural hub to offer a diverse
range of performances and an extensive education and
community outreach programme.”
Gavin Reid, CEO of Scottish Chamber Orchestra and cochair
of IMPACT Scotland said: “Today’s approval is
tremendous news for the City and turns the ambition for a
world-class centre for music and performance, into a reality.
The Dunard Centre will become the new home of the Scottish
Chamber Orchestra, and will be transformational. A stunning
auditorium offering the very best in modern acoustics and
boasting state of the art digital broadcast facilities will allow
us to dream big, expand our repertoire, collaborate with ever
more composers and artists, present our work innovatively,
courageously and flexibly all with a new-found sense of
adventure and ambition, always seeking to reach more and
more people.”
Among the other musicians welcoming the announcement
were:
Anna Meredith: “Delighted to write in support of the
proposed new venue in Edinburgh. As someone who works
across creative genres, this kind of space is especially
exciting to me as it offers the flexibility to allow artists to
work across mediums and realise their work to its full
potential.”
The Proclaimers: "The Dunard Centre would be a
prestigious and fantastic cultural asset to the city"
Composer Errollyn Wallen: “Scotland has one of the
richest, most varied music scenes in the world. I am inspired
and proud to live here. As the country's artistic reach goes
from strength to strength, a new concert hall for Edinburgh is
a concert hall for the world’s stage.”
IMPACT Scotland is bringing communities and organisations
together to create a one-off alignment of partnership,
funding and location, to create a transformational venue long
recognised to be missing in the region’s cultural
infrastructure.
www.impactscotland.org.uk
www.twitter.com/ImpactScot
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music news scotland page 13
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page 14
music news scotland
Royal Scottish National Orchestra launches new
world-class recording facility: Scotland’s Studio
Scotland’s Studio to support the development of the film industry in Scotland
Scotland’s Studio set to become go-to large scale recording studio in the UK
New studio diversifies orchestras income in post-pandemic landscape
Scotland’s Studio is a
brand new, state-of-the-art
recording facility purpose
built for the worldrenowned
Royal Scottish
National Orchestra.
Located in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland’s UNESCO City of
Music, the studio builds on existing infrastructure like the
RSNO Centre which opened in 2015, and features not only
cutting-edge mixing technology, but the RSNO’s New
Auditorium: an acoustically adjustable and flexible space,
ideal for the specialised production of recordings for film and
television soundtracks as well as hosting educational
projects.
This unique integration of the latest production technology
with the highest quality musicians in an acoustically excellent
space, positions the studio as a “one stop shop” able to
provide full end-to-end production for industry.
A key ambition of the Studio is that it will become the go-to
studio for film and game industry soundtrack recording
outside of London, the RSNO being the only orchestra in the
UK with a fully functioning recording facility that can record
sound to picture. The studio will also be open to other
Scottish based orchestras and musicians, giving them access
to not only a world-class recording studio, but also allowing
them to advance within the creative industries.
Scotland is increasingly becoming a popular destination for
film, TV and video game productions and Scotland’s Studio is
in a prime position to contribute to this development. The
RSNO has an established track record and strong brand
recognition for its recording work, especially in film and video
games, with the orchestra credited on re-recordings of
classic scores such as Vertigo and being conducted by film
score icons such as Jerry Goldsmith. The studio will allow the
RSNO to embark on bigger and more challenging projects
within these industries and this new income stream will
prove invaluable in supporting the RSNO’s charitable
mission, as ventures such as touring and larger scale
performances continue to be affected by the ongoing
pandemic.
The Studio will also become home for the RSNO’s digital
educational projects such as music apps for children. The
space’s cutting-edge technology has potential to become a
pioneering learning space for audio and sound design
students from Scotland’s Universities and colleges,
supporting the next generation of Scotland’s film industry by
providing them with first-class experience in music
production and audio engineering.
The studio would not have been possible without a legacy
from regular concert attenders Iain and Pamela Sinclair, both
of whom the main control room has been named after, as
well as the many individuals who donated to the New Home
appeal, our partners at Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council
and the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Studio is partially
supported by the DigitalBoost Development Grant.
Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish
National Orchestra said: “In Scotland’s Studio we’ve
created a state-of-the-art facility that will give the RSNO
another string to its bow in the post-pandemic landscape as
the only orchestra in the UK with its own recording studio,
while also giving Scotland’s developing film industry a new
facility to support its offer nationally and internationally.
Huge thanks goes to those who have supported this
investment including the Scottish Government through the
DigitalBoost Development Grant, and to Iain and Pamela
Sinclair whose legacy enabled us to create such a highly
spec-ed control room. Iain used to attend regularly and we
later found out secretly recorded the RSNO to listen to again
at home. Creating a world-class recording studio for the
orchestra feels like a fitting tribute through their generous
legacy. The orchestra already has a great reputation for its
film score recordings and we look forward to adding to this
legacy over the coming years.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Scottish
Government is committed to developing our screen
infrastructure and this new world-class facility for recording
film, television and games scores will make the country even
more attractive to international production companies. The
new studio will also contribute to growing a sustainable
economy for the creative industries. The RSNO plays a major
role in the performing arts and the new studio will give the
orchestra the opportunity to build on their already highlyacclaimed
international reputation for recording and expand
on their educational activities.”
The first major collaboration with a film composer and studio
production recently took place, testing and verifying the
quality of the facilities at Scotland’s Studio.
Scotland born composer and conductor Blair Mowat, who
works almost exclusively in film and tv scores conducted the
RSNO recording his soundtrack to the new Sky TV Christmas
special ‘The Amazing Mr Blunden’ airing in December this
year.
Blair Mowat said: "This whole project has been an utter
delight. I saw composer Elmer Bernstein conduct the RSNO
in 1997 on a school trip. He composed the original 1972
score for The Amazing Mr Blunden - so when I got the gig, I
immediately called the RSNO to see if they could record the
score for this exciting new remake. Happily, the stars aligned
and it was a dream come true to be composing and
conducting for an orchestra that meant so much to me
growing up in Scotland. Scotland's Studio is a world-class
facility and it's a game-changer, not only for Scotland but
anyone looking to record in the UK. We're in desperate need
of more recording studios this size to meet the pent-up
demand, and the players in the RSNO rival the best in the
world. We were delighted by both the experience we had
recording with them and also the sound we achieved on the
final recording. It was an honour to be the first film score to
record here, of which I'm sure there will be countless more.
There are exciting times ahead, and we can't wait to come
back!"
Richard Kaufman conductor and former Vice President
for music at MGM Studios said: “Composers, production
companies, and ultimately film music audiences will find the
artistry of the RSNO and their recording of original film music
a truly extraordinary experience.”
www.rsno.org.uk
www.twitter.com/RSNO
www.facebook.com/royalscottishnationalorchestra
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music news scotland page 15
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page 16
music news scotland
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music news scotland page 17
Nordoff Robbins Flagship Awards Raises
Over £180,000 For Music Therapy Charity
Nordoff Robbins are delighted
to reveal the Specsavers
Scottish Music
Awards raised over
£180,000, as one of the
biggest industry events of
the year made a welcomed
return to Glasgow’s
Barrowland following last
year’s virtual award show.
The flagship event saw some of Scotland’s greatest talents
take to the stage to perform, including Wet Wet Wet, Amy
Macdonald, Nina Nesbitt, The Fratellis, Nathan Evans, The
Bluebells and more.
Forced to move online in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the 2021 event marked an extra special night as the
country’s music scene united once more to celebrate. Nordoff
Robbins’ fundraising was decimated for 2020, resulting in
their forecast for 2021 only reaching 40% of their pre-covid
income, however despite this huge reduction in income, their
services are needed now more than ever.
In addition to the incredible amount raised from the
Spescsavers Scottish Music Awards this weekend, headline
sponsors Specsavers are donating a further £15,000 to Nordoff
Robbins this year, to help four key projects in Scotland,
including Blythswood House, Calaiswood After School Club,
Sight Scotland and St Andrew’s Hospice. These invaluable
donations help Nordoff Robbins meet the need as and where
they can - whether online or face-to-face.
Sandra Schembri, CEO Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy
charity said, “We are so grateful for the continuing support
shown through the Scottish music industry and to everyone
who makes the Specsavers Scottish Music awards happen
each year.
“The past 18 months have been tough for everyone, but
even more so for our clients. The incredible amount raised
this evening will allow us to continue to support some of the
most vulnerable and isolated members in our communities
through our music therapy. At Nordoff Robbins we see music
as a superpower to heal and connect, and it is through
events like these that make it possible for us to continue our
valuable work across Scotland.
“On behalf of Nordoff Robbins, I would like to share our
thanks to Donald McLeod for everything, Edith Bowman for
hosting the evening and being the amazing ambassador for
our work she is and to our incredible sponsors and artists
whose valued support made this night possible.”
Susanne Akil, Specsavers’ Scottish chair said, “While
the Scottish Music Awards is a fantastic celebration of Scottish
music, it’s important to remember that it also supports a
charity that offers a vital service to so many. Our stores
across Scotland, plus our audiology and Home Visits services,
joined together to donate £15,000 collectively and
we’re delighted that this will cover the costs of more than
600 music therapy sessions for four projects Nordoff Robbins
supports across Scotland.”
A night of glitz and glam, the Specsavers Scottish Music
Awards was hosted by Edith Bowman in one of the city's
most iconic music venues, The Barrowland Ballroom, for the
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#SpecsaversSMA
Brooke Combe: Best Female Breakthrough Award (sponsored by Tennent’s Light)
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first time ever. The venue has played host to some of the
greatests artists in the world and was filled with the most
outstanding talent Scotland has to offer on Saturday night,
with incredible performances from breakthrough artists
Brooke Combe and Bow Anderson, a huge crowd singalong
to The Fratellis' renditions of 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' and
'Chelsea Dagger', and postman turned singer Nathan Evans
performing his viral hit 'Wellerman - Sea Shanty'. Amy Macdonald
opened proceedings with classic hit 'This Is The Life'
while hometown heroes Wet Wet Wet closed the show in outstanding
fashion, treating the Specsavers Scottish Music
Awards crowd to non-stop fan favourites including
'Goodnight Girl' and 'Love Is All Around'.
Highlights from the event included performances from the
likes of Nina Nesbitt, who picked up ROX - Diamonds &
Thrills Women in Music Award. The Edinburgh singer
treated the crowd to some of her iconic tunes like ‘The Best
You Had’ and latest single, ‘Life’s A B***h’. Specsavers Scottish
Music Awards also shone a light on some of the most
exciting rising stars in Scotland, including Bow Anderson who
won Best Pop Act sponsored by Pizza Express alongside
Brooke Combe who had the whole venue on their feet during
her performance. The 21 year-old singer bagged Best Female
Breakthrough Award sponsored by Tennent’s Light.
Taking home Best Male Breakthrough Award sponsored
by Dirt Comms & KHOLE, Nathan Evans performed his viral
rendition of ‘Wellerman – Sea Shanty’ and had the Barrowlands
singing their hearts out. The postman-turned-singer
said, “This is absolutely mental - 11 months ago I was a
postman! Thank you to everyone that’s supported me this
far… I’m just baffled.”
It was a big night for the bands as the likes of Biffy Clyro
picked up Ticketmaster’s Best Live Award alongside The
Snuts who took home guitarguitar’s Best Album Award.
The Bluebells made a long awaited return to the Barrowlands,
renowned for being one of the country’s best indie
bands, The Bluebells were awarded the Legend Award
sponsored by Sir Reo Stakis Foundation. With the crowd fully
warmed up, The Fratellis took to the stage playing two massive
tunes 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' and 'Chelsea Dagger' after
winning King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Songwriting Award.
Closing out the show after an incredible evening of non-stop
music, it was finally time for Wet Wet Wet to take to the
stage. The band have a long history of supporting Nordoff
Robbins music therapy work, having won their very first Silver
Clef award in London back in 1988 when they were brand
new on the scene. They’ve gone on to support the charity via
fundraising shows, albums and videos and have even visited
Nordoff Robbins centres across the country. Honoured with
the Icon Award sponsored by Raymond Weil, Wet Wet Wet
closed the evening of celebration with classic anthems like
'Goodnight Girl' and 'Love Is All Around', making it an unmissable
night at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.
After almost two years without a live event, Specsavers
Scottish Music Awards was a resounding success at The Barrowland
Ballroom as it raised an incredible amount of vital
funds for Nordoff Robbins.
This year’s award winners are; Specsavers Outstanding
Achievement in Music Award - Amy Macdonald // Ticketmaster
Best Live Award - Biffy Clyro // Sir Reo Stakis Legends
Award – The Bluebells // Pizza Express Best Pop Act –
Bow Anderson // Best Female Breakthrough sponsored by
Tennent’s Light– Brooke Combe // King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Songwriting Award – The Fratellis // Music Industry
Award sponsored by Go Radio - Gordon Duncan // OVO Energy
Eco Award - KT Tunstall // Best Male Breakthrough
sponsored by Dirt Comms and KHOLE – Nathan Evans //
Women in Music Award sponsored by ROX – Diamonds &
Thrills – Nina Nesbitt // Best Event Award sponsored by
Royal Highland Centre - cinch presents TRNSMT Festival //
Best UK Award sponsored by SWG3 - Sam Fender // guitarguitar
Best Album – The Snuts // Raymond Weil Icon
Award - Wet Wet Wet.
www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk
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page 16
music news scotland
got a music news "story to tell"? then email our newsdesk: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
30th anniversary of the Adult Fèis finally
celebrated with launch of new album -
Iain Fraser launched Gneiss at this year’s Blas Festival
After having to rearrange not once, not
twice but three times due to Covid,
Dingwall based arts organisation, Fèis
Rois, is excited to finally announce the
release of Gneiss, by fiddler Iain
Fraser; an album featuring a suite of
music celebrating the people and the
places connected to the Adult Fèis.
Fèis Rois commissioned Iain Fraser to record an album to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fèis Rois nan Inbheach
(Adult Fèis Rois); one of the arts organisation’s key annual
events which celebrates Gaelic and Scots music with a
weekend of workshops, concerts and sessions. Iain, one of
the original tutors at the very first Adult Fèis Rois, took his
inspiration for this new album from not only his time spent
Iain Fraser
:: photo by Somhairle MacDonald
teaching at the Adult Fèis over the last 30 years but also the
landscape, and in the particular the geological features, of
the three places the Adult Fèis has been held in; Dingwall,
Gairloch and Ullapool.
Iain Fraser commented: “The inspiration for this music is
drawn from two main sources. The first came from delving
into my own memories of the Adult Fèis. I feel very honoured
indeed to have been asked to teach there many times,
including the very first one. Since then, I’ve had so many
great memories, some of them profound and possibly life
changing and others erring towards the totally ridiculous,
that trying to distil a few of them into a piece of music has
been a challenge, albeit a rewarding one.
“The second considered how I might realise musically what
we mean by a sense of place or by considering the
landscape, and by extension, the geology of the three local
communities that have hosted the Fèis over the years. From
this emerged three distinct sections: Dingwall, Gairloch, and
Ullapool, and as a subtext, the associated bedrock of each
community: Sandstone,
Gneiss, and Schist. In the
course of this project I
discovered so much more
about the geology of Scotland than I knew previously and
I’m indebted to a few of our early geologists such as Hugh
Miller and James Hutton who persevered by tramping the
hills, hammer and pen in hand, fired up by a curiosity to try
and better understand the Earth’s forces at work.”
Gneiss was launched at a sell-out concert at the Macphail
Centre, Ullapool on 26 November as part of this year’s Blas
Festival and that also marked the first night of this year’s
first ever winter edition of the Adult Fèis. On the night, Iain
Fraser wa joined by a stellar cast of musicians who also
featured on the album including Wendy Weatherby, Signy
Jakobsdottir, Wendy Stewart, Graeme Armstrong, Calum
Alex Macmillan, James Ross and Gordon Gunn.
Fiona Dalgetty, Chief Executive, Fèis Rois, said: “Iain
Fraser was one of only six musicians who taught at the
inaugural Adult Fèis in Dingwall in 1990, so it was only
natural to ask Iain to commemorate this milestone. Tying
together geology, culture and place, Iain’s suite makes vivid
the passing-on of tradition and the nature of change;
elements so central to Fèis Rois. The anniversary
celebrations, set to take place in 2020, were stalled when the
global pandemic hit, along with so many other cultural
events. In September 2021, we were finally able to bring
together the fantastic musicians you will hear on this album,
to record at Watercolour Studio in Ardgour.”
“Having had to cancel the even in both May 2020 and May
2021, we are also delighted to be able to hold a special
edition of the Adult Fèis this winter in Ullapool with an
incredible line-up of tutors including Iain Fraser, Lauren
Maccoll, Fiona Mackenzie and Brian o’hEadhra, Rona
Lightfoot, Corrina Hewat, James Ross, Louise Mackenzie,
John Carmichael, Dagger Gordon, Annie Grace and many
more.”
The concert can still be watched @ https://myplayer.uk/blas
The album is available for digital download and physical
copies can be pre-ordered @
https://feisrois.bandcamp.com/
For more information about this year’s Fèis Rois nan
Inbheach event, please visit the weblink below.
www.feisrois.org
www.twitter.com/FeisRois
www.facebook.com/feisrois
www.skerryvore.com
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music news scotland page 17
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page 18
music news scotland
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Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook
returns this December for string of live dates
Including: Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr and Kevin McGuire
Following the huge success
and popularity of Phil
Cunningham’s Christmas
Songbook over the last 15
years, the show will be
returning to venues across
Scotland this December –
bringing festive musical
cheer that will warm hearts
and get toes tapping.
Phil and a selection of Scotland’s finest folk
musicians will hit the road for seven shows,
dishing out heart-warming entertainment in
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Perth
and Dumfries. This year will see the show return
live and in full-force, following 2020’s Virtual
Christmas Songbook.
The performances will feature modern and
traditional Christmas music and impeccable
musicianship that tugs at your heartstrings, as
well as hearty anecdotes, making it “the perfect
way to fill up your festive fuel tank” (The
Scotsman).
Phil will be joined by some of the best musicians
from the Scottish folk world including Eddi
Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker,
Kris Drever, Ian Carr and Kevin McGuire,
along with a special guest brass band.
Phil Cunnginham said: “We can’t wait to hit
the road again and take the Christmas Songbook
on tour across Scotland. Things were a little
different last year with our first ever Virtual
Christmas Songbook and I’m delighted that we’ll
be back in full swing in front of live audiences
again this year.
“The show has grown so much in the last 15
years and has become a seasonal staple for
people across Scotland. As always I’ll be joined
by my old friends, who happen to be some of the
best folk artists in the country, and we’ll be
bringing festive cheer to crowds from Aberdeen
to Dumfries. We can’t wait to see people up and
dancing!”
Phil Cunningham is a
brilliant and innovative
instrumentalist, with the
fastest fingers in the
West. He is fondly remembered from his days
with Silly Wizard and Relativity and as the quick
witted musical partner of the great Shetland
fiddler, Aly Bain.
Also widely recognised from his television and
radio presenting, Phil is a true ambassador for
traditional music, having been involved in some
of the seminal programmes that enabled
Scottish music to walk tall. Phil also has the gift
of the gab – his effortless banter can have a
packed hall falling about in the aisles.
He will be joined by an impressive mix of lead
vocalists, including the inimitable Eddi Reader,
who has celebrated a career spanning over three
decades and has effortlessly developed into one
of popular music’s most thrilling performers, as
well as Karen Matheson, recognised the world
over as the haunting lead vocalist of Celtic
supergroup Capercaillie and award-winning
Orcadian roots singer and guitarist Kris Drever.
The line-up also includes multi-instrumentalist
John McCusker, one of Scotland’s most
accomplished and versatile musicians, Ian Carr,
known for his original and eclectic approach to
traditional guitar music, and highly sought after
double bassist Kevin McGuire.
The string of December shows will be the perfect
way for the whole family to get into the festive
spirit and is not to be missed.
December Dates :: Tuesday 14th DUMFRIES –
Easterbrook Hall / Wednesday 15th STIRLING –
The Albert Halls / Thursday 16th GLASGOW –
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall / Saturday 18th
ABERDEEN – Music Hall / Sunday 19th PERTH –
Perth Concert Hall / Monday 20th EDINBURGH –
The Queen’s Hall / Tuesday 21st EDINBURGH –
The Queen’s Hall.
Tickets can be purchased @
www.philcunningham.com/live-shows
www.facebook.com/philschristmassongbook
www.revealrecords.co.uk / www.boohewerdine.net
fb @ www.facebook.com/BooHewerdinemusic/
shop @ www.revealrecords.bigcartel.com
email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

music news scotland page 19
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