16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
All you need to know about HebCelt as Tide Lines share excitement
More than 17,000 music fans are expected on the Isle of Lewis for the event, which will include a final tour appearance from Lulu and a special 20th anniversary show from Skerryvore.
Stornoway has had music fans landing over recent days with the population set to double during the festival.
And Tide Lines frontman Robert Robertson said: 'We always love playing HebCelt. From the moment we step off the ferry onto the beautiful Isle of Lewis, we just have an amazing time.
'The crowd in the big top tent is always bouncing which makes it one of our favourite places to play. We're buzzing to be back this year and delighted to be headlining the Thursday night.'
Other acts set to perform over the weekend include Nina Nesbitt, Beluga Lagoon, Kassidy, Laura Silverstone and much more.
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The festival is also fulfilling a pledge to the Keychange music industry equality project and 70% of acts are either led by females or have female members.
The band El Sartel, who play on Friday, includes crew from CalMac who will be ferrying fans and artists to the island.
Michelle Shields, Artist Programmer, said: 'We have a real passion for nurturing young talent at HebCelt, we were blown away by his song and his lyrics, he's clearly very talented, so we absolutely needed to invite him to play, and performing with Norrie will hopefully be a very special occasion for him.
'We've got artists coming from all over the place. Skerryvore will be flown here by our friends at LoganAir, there's travelling troubadours coming by van, and it's going to be a real party atmosphere from the moment folk set foot on the ferry and arrive in Stornoway.'
The multiple-award winning event, supported by Creative Scotland, Western Isles Council, NHS Western Isles. Lewis Wind Power, SSEN and others, is on course to generate £40m for the local economy by the time it reaches its 30th anniversary in just two years.
That is despite many festivals struggling, with more than 250 closing since 2019 and 39 this year alone.
HebCelt Chair Iain Macphail said: 'For an island festival to be able to attract Glastonbury class acts such as Lulu, generate millions of pounds for our local economy and find itself shortlisted for a prestigious industry award in the same week is really phenomenal.
'Year after year the festival delivers world class entertainment, draws thousands of people into the region, and creates incredible opportunities for people to be part of something truly amazing. We're very lucky to have such tremendous backing and support from our community who really view HebCelt as their own.'
Tide Lines are one of the headliners
Carol Ferguson, HebCelt's Operations Co-Ordinator said: 'There's a real buzz about town just now, we have more than 200 volunteers ready to welcome people through the gates, and we just can't wait for the music to get started. It's going to be amazing.'
Here's everything you need to know about HebCelt 2025
The event will run between July 16 and July 19.
The main stage will be headlines by Tide Lines on Thursday, Lulu on Friday and Skerryvore on Saturday.
The local arts centre An Lanntair marks its 40th anniversary by hosting its acclaimed Between Islands Project on Wednesday night.
Who else is performing?
This year's line-up also features singer songwriter Eddi Reader, Mountain Music star Nina Nesbitt, Trail West, Kassidy, the high flying Beluga Lagoon, Tom McGuire and The Brassholes, local heroes Alasdair White & Keith Morrison, Astro Bloc, Cala, Cassie and Maggie, Ciorstaidh Beaton, and Gaelic children's TV legend Donnie Dòtaman.
US electro-trad star Elias Alexander, El Sartel, Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich, Iona Mairead, Isla Scott, Josie Duncan, former Spain's Got Talent finalist Laura Silverstone, Lauren Collier, LUSA, Madison Violet, Malin Lewis Trio, NATI., festival favourite Ruairidh Gray, Samba Sene & Diwan, The Tumbling Souls, and TRIP are also performing.
The popular Ceilidh Tent will include performances from Tosh & Friends, Sam Cain, Emma, Spanish & Stephen Drummond, Sarah Helfrich, Corina, Arabella and Kathleen, and Jane Hepburn Macmillan.
What is the best way to get there?
Most people travel by ferry via the MV Loch Seaforth which is operated by CalMac.
Others travel via Harris, while regional operator Loganair also operates flights to Stornoway.
When do gates open and what will the weather be like?
Gates open this Thursday at 5pm when the Lewis Pipe Band and the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band perform the opening ceremony after leaving Porter's Lodge at 4.45pm. On Friday and Saturday, the festival is open to ticket holders from 1.30pm.
The weather is always unpredictable, but this year the BBC are on site to provide special updates to viewers. It is expected to be warm throughout with mostly sun, a risk of some showers on Thursday, and good music throughout.
Can you still get tickets?
VIP upgrades and some other passes have already sold out, but some tickets can still be bought online at in the festival shop or at the site entrance. Fans are strongly encouraged to book in advance.
