Latest news with #HebrideanCelticFestival
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.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lulu to headline Hebridean Celtic Festival in her farewell tour year
Scots pop star Lulu is set to headline this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival with a performance celebrating her six-decade-long music career. This year's festival will take place from July 16 to July 19 in and around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Known for her hit singles such as "Relight My Fire," "Boom Bang-A-Bang," and "Shout," Lulu will grace the main stage on July 18. Having rocked the crowd at Glastonbury last year, this will be Lulu's final year of touring. Skerryvore (Image: Supplied) 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." Joining her is the Celtic rock band Skerryvore who will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a performance on July 19. 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. Nina Nesbitt (Image: Supplied) ''We can't wait to see everyone on the island in July and have a very special show planned to celebrate 20 years." Other performers include "Mountain Music" star Nina Nesbitt and headliners Tide Lines. Nina, who has been supporting Snow Patrol on their sold-out UK and Ireland tour, will make her HebCelt debut. She said: "I'm looking forward to visiting HebCelt for the first time - it's always a pleasure to play for a Scottish crowd." The 2025 line-up also features Brit Award-winning Eddi Reader, Kassidy, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes, TRIP, Astro Bloc, Isla Scott, Laura Silverstone, Cassie and Maggie, Alasdair White & Keith Morrison, Ciorstaidh Beaton, Iona Mairead, and Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich. They will be joined by previously announced acts such as Beluga Lagoon, Lauren Collier, LUSA, El Sartel, Samba Sene & Diwan, The Tumbling Souls, Josie Duncan, Madison Violet, Elias Alexander, Cala, Trail West, Ruairidh Gray, Malin Lewis Trio, internet sensation NATI, and Gaelic TV icon Donnie Dòtaman. Michelle Shields, artist programmer and director at HebCelt, 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. Read more: Going to a Scottish festival this year? Here's our pick of the best Five unmissable shows at this year's Glasgow International Comedy Festival Rip it up and start again? The future of Glasgow's UNESCO City of Music status Big screen talent announced for Glasgow Film Festival 2025 Irvine Welsh unveiled as headliner for Paisley Book Festival "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 Dòtaman who lit up so many childhoods, and the talented young musicians from Fèis 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." A record 70 per cent of the acts this year are female-led or have female members. This aligns with the festival's pledge to Keychange, an international campaign addressing gender inequality in the music industry. HebCelt has had at least a 50:50 gender balance every year since 2014. The festival will also feature a special celebration of An Lanntair, a renowned arts centre in Stornoway, marking its 40th anniversary. Details will be revealed next month, including one-off performances and collaborations, live band ceilidhs, and the return of the beloved late-night festival club. HebCelt has been a key event in Scotland's cultural calendar since 1996, attracting music lovers from around the globe to the Outer Hebrides. The festival is on course to have helped generate more than £40 million for the local economy by its 30th anniversary in 2027. Earlier this month, Creative Scotland endorsed the festival, securing its long-term planning with a three-year funding package. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities, including three-year deals, can now apply.
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.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. Further details about this year's festival can be found at
