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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Skerryvore and Eddi Reader inducted into HebCelt 'Hall of Fame'
Hosted in Stornoway, the Hebridean Celtic Festival attracts thousands to the isle of Lewis each year. Nearly 18,000 people attended in 2024, generating more than four million pounds for the local economy. Triple Brit winner Eddi Reader is one of the inductees. (Image: Supplied) Festival Operations Coordinator Carol Ferguson feted the inductees, praising their 'remarkable achievements' and 'steadfast support'. She said: 'Eddi has been a trailblazer for Scottish music for decades, celebrated by being awarded an incredible three Brit Awards among her other accolades, reinventing classics and defying convention to deliver original, inspiring and above all much loved songs that have helped shape the sound of Scotland across the years. 'Skerryvore are beloved by HebCelt audiences, consistently one of the most requested acts by our fans, and it is brilliant that they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with us. Their globetrotting, invention and mastery of the live show is peerless, and they are so deserving of the reception they will undoubtedly receive on the Castle Green. Read more: The festival boss added: 'Willie Campbell is such a gifted guitarist and extraordinary storyteller. From his fledgling days of working with Astrid to supergroup The Reindeer Section, The Open Day Rotation, and now fans favourites The Tumbling Souls, his music, creativity and performances have brought immense pride to the Hebrides and support to the festival that's truly immeasurable. 'Words can scarcely do justice to the legacy of Alex MacDonald. Through vision and dedication, she has transformed the cultural landscape of Lewis, fostered careers, strengthened community ties, and championed the incredible talent of these islands. She is simply, and brilliantly, one of a kind.' Other members of the Hall of Fame include folk singer Dougie MacLean, Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, internationally renowned fiddler Duncan Chisholm, and Gaelic rockers Runrig. The HebCelt festival has run since 1996 (Image: Supplied) The quartet will be honoured throughout the festival, with performances by Eddi Reader and Willie Campbell on Thursday night, and a Saturday night concert by Skerryvore also taking place. Michelle Shields, HebCelt Artist Programmer and Director, added: 'Eddi, Willie, Skerryvore and Alex each hold a special place in the hearts of the HebCelt family. Their influence on Celtic, traditional, Scots and Gaelic music has been profound - and even life-changing for so many. 'Becoming a member of our Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to their legacy and an absolutely perfect way to celebrate their outstanding contributions.' With the festivities just six weeks away, organisers have urged those interested in attending to purchase tickets now — or risk disappointment.
The National
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
SSEN announced as major sponsor for HebCelt Festival 2025
The agreement forms part of the electricity transmission network operator's commitment to supporting local communities across the Highlands and islands as part of its £20 billion investment to upgrade the high-voltage transmission network in the north of Scotland. As part of the partnership, SSEN Transmission will have a strong presence at this year's festival, which takes place in and around Stornoway in Lewis from June 16-19. It will be headlined by Skerryvore, Tide Lines and Lulu. Other acts on the bill include Eddi Reader, Nina Nesbitt, Kassidy, Beluga Lagoon, Trail West, Laura Silverstone, Josie Duncan, The Tumbling Souls, and Donnie Dòtaman. READ MORE: My holiday in the Highlands was great, but staff shortages are evident Festival-goers will be able to visit SSEN Transmission's information and fan hub on Castle Green, where the team will be on hand to talk about major infrastructure projects, including plans for the 'Lewis Hub' a proposed new substation and converter station that is a key part of its Western Isles Connection Project. The project will see the installation of a subsea HVDC transmission cable that will connect Lewis to the GB electricity grid for the first time. HebCelt festival operations co-ordinator Carol Ferguson, said: 'SSEN Transmission's commitment to our community is incredibly welcome and aligns perfectly with HebCelt's ethos. 'Their recognition of the value of live music and the cultural heartbeat of our islands is something we deeply appreciate." Colin Bell, SSEN Transmission's lead project manager for the Lewis Hub project, said: 'We are delighted to sponsor the HebCelt Festival and lend our support to this much-loved and hugely popular highlight in the cultural calendar of the islands.' 'We're looking forward to engaging with people at this year's festival, and sharing the enjoyment of what promises to be another entertaining event drawing visitors from across the world.' Last year's HebCelt drew more than 17,800 attendees, with the average visitor staying for eight days in Lewis and Harris. According to post-event research, 67% of festival-goers cited HebCelt as the primary reason for their trip, highlighting its pivotal role in the local economy. Thanks to a three-year funding package from Creative Scotland, HebCelt is now looking ahead to its milestone 30th anniversary in 2027 and is looking for other high-calibre sponsorship partners.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Scottish pop icon Lulu to headline Stornoway music festival
SCOTTISH pop legend Lulu will headline the island music festival HebCelt in July, as she completes her final year of touring. The Stirlingshire-born star is best known for her chart-topping Relight My Fire with Take That, Eurovision-winning Boom Bang-A-Bang, James Bond theme The Man With The Golden Gun, and her debut hit Shout. Lulu will play the main stage on Friday, July 18. She told fans: 'I'm looking forward to visiting the Outer Hebrides and performing at HebCelt in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis – see you in July.' The festival will also feature supergroup Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Nina Nesbitt, Eddi Reader, Trail West, Kassidy, Beluga Lagoon and NATI. A record 70% of the acts performing at HebCelt this year are female-led or have female members, following the festival's pledge to Keychange, the international campaign to address gender inequality in the music industry. HebCelt's artist programmer and director Michelle Shields highlighted the diversity of this year's line-up: 'This year's festival truly celebrates music across generations, from trailblazers like Lulu and Eddi Reader to the next generation of stars including NATI., Josie Duncan, and Lauren Collier. 'Our Celtic roots are proudly represented with Skerryvore marking their 20th year and consistently one of our most requested acts by fans, Highland heroes Tide Lines, and festival favourites like Trail West, Cala, and The Tumbling Souls. We're also thrilled to spotlight talents like LUSA and Elias Alexander, alongside live sensations Beluga Lagoon, Tom McGuire & the Brassholes and Kassidy. Since 1996, HebCelt has been a mainstay of Scotland's cultural music calendar, and is on course to have helped generate more than £40m for the local economy by the time it reaches its 30th anniversary in 2027. Creative Scotland endorsed the festival earlier this month and pledged to secure its long-term planning with a three-year funding package. The festival will take place from July 16-19 in and around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, combining musical performances with the cultural heritage of the islands.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Lulu headlining HebCelt festival where 70% of acts will be female
Scots pop icon Lulu is to headline a music festival where 70% of the acts will be female-led or have female of HebCelt said they had ensured at least a 50:50 gender balance every year since Nina Nisbet, who has been supporting Snow Patrol on tour, and Brit Award-winning musician Eddi Reader are among the other female acts due to perform in Stornoway, Lewis, in has been criticism in recent years of male domination of the music industry and some festival line-ups. More than 30 performances have been confirmed for the main line-up, but the overall number of acts is expected to rise to more than 40 once fringe events have been who has had top 10 singles since the 1960s, is known for her debut hit Shout and in the 1990s performed the song Relight My Fire with boy band Take was a headliner at last year's Glastonbury said she was looking forward to visiting the Western Isles this Duncan, who will be playing with her band at HebCelt, told BBC Naidheachdan: "I can hardly believe that Lulu is going to be in Stornoway."Maybe we will see her in the pub."But it is just mad to think that a local like myself gets the chance to be on stage alongside these incredible acts, such as Eddi Reader."Duncan said she hoped other festivals would follow HeCelt's example of greater representation of female talent."I think it has become so normal to see line-ups that are all-male that we don't even notice it," she said."This is something different. "I personally think it should be just as normal." HebCelt's artist programmer and director Michelle Shields said this year's line-up highlighted diversity in added: "This year's festival truly celebrates music across generations, from trailblazers like Lulu and Eddi Reader to the next generation of stars including Nati, Josie Duncan, and Lauren Collier."Other acts this year include Scottish Celtic rock band Skerryvore, who this year are marking their 20th Lines, Beluga Lagoon, Samba Sene and Diwan, Trail West and Tom McGuire and the Brassholes are also in the was first held in the years headliners have included Runrig, The Fratellis, The Proclaimers and KT year's festival will take place from 16 to 19 July.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Lulu to headline HebCelt festival in final year of touring
Scots pop legend Lulu will headline this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival in what she has said will be her final year of touring, the organisers have announced. The Glasgow-raised singer first achieved UK chart success in 1964 with her single Shout, which she followed up with hits including the Eurovision-winning Boom Bang-A-Bang and the theme to James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun. The 76-year-old is one of a number of acts announced by the organisers of the festival – known as HebCelt – which takes place in and around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis from July 16 to 19. Lulu said: 'I'm looking forward to visiting the Outer Hebrides and performing at HebCelt in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis – see you in July.' Other big-name acts announced on Friday include Celtic rockers Skerryvore – now in their 20th year – as well as Mountain Music star Nina Nesbitt and Brit Award winner Eddi Reader. Skerryvore accordionist and founding member Daniel Gillespie said: 'This is a special year for the band as we celebrate 20 years of Skerryvore. 'To headline the Saturday night at HebCelt means the world to us as we remember playing McNeils Bar all those years ago and dreaming of playing the main stage of the festival. 'We can't wait to see everyone on the island in July and have a very special show planned to celebrate 20 years.' The 2025 festival also includes Tide Lines, Kassidy, internet sensation NATI., Laura Silverstone, and Feis Eilean an Fhraoich. Michelle Shield, HebCelt's artist programmer and director, said: 'This year's festival truly celebrates music across generations, from trailblazers like Lulu and Eddi Reader to the next generation of stars including NATI., Josie Duncan, and Lauren Collier. 'Our Celtic roots are proudly represented with Skerryvore marking their 20th year and consistently one of our most requested acts by fans, Highland heroes Tide Lines, and festival favourites like Trail West, Cala, and The Tumbling Souls. 'We're also thrilled to spotlight talents like LUSA and Elias Alexander, alongside live sensations Beluga Lagoon, Tom McGuire & the Brassholes and Kassidy. 'There's truly something for everyone at HebCelt, including cult Gaelic star Donnie Dotaman who lit up so many childhoods, and the talented young musicians from Feis who once again are opening the Island Stage on Saturday afternoon. 'This year's festival also has the strongest line-up of female performers any of us can remember, from our headliners Lulu, Nina and Eddi to the likes of Madison Violet who have just announced this will be one of their last shows, plus new and exciting talent such as Laura Silverstone, Iona Mairead, Ciorstaidh Beaton and Isla Scott. 'We simply can't wait to welcome music lovers of all tastes to what promises to be one of the most eclectic, vibrant, and memorable festivals yet.' The organisers pointed out 70% of the acts set to perform at this year's HebCelt festival are female or have female members, and that it has had at least a 50:50 gender balance every year since 2014. This year's festival will also feature a special celebration of An Lanntair, the renowned arts centre in Stornoway, as it marks 40 years as a cultural beacon for the islands. Last year some 17,800 people attended HebCelt, generating about £4.1 million for the local economy. The organisers said the festival is expected to have generated more than £40 million in economic benefits locally by the time it marks its 30th anniversary edition in 2027.
