Latest news with #PartyatthePalace
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Bathgate songwriter releases moving new single offering hope to those struggling with loneliness and self doubt
Fraser McLean has dedicated the last 18 months to writing and recording his own material A rising pop singer from West Lothian has released a new single to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week. Fraser McLean, 22, a singer-songwriter from Bathgate who plays a number of instruments, has dedicated the last year-and-a-half to writing and recording his own material. Fraser has plans to release three new singles and an EP in 2025 showcasing his latest work. Having released his debut single All That You Wanted in February of this year, he didn't wait about and just eight weeks later the follow-up was made available. The new single, The World Is Not Done With You Yet, was released on May 9 prior to the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place from May 12 to 18. A deeply moving song about mental health struggles, self-doubt, and the resilience required to keep pushing forward. It poignantly captures the weight of overthinking, loneliness, and the haunting sense of uncertainty. With the chorus of Fraser's latest release acting as a powerful reminder that even in moments of despair, your personal story is far from finished – there is still hope and purpose on the horizon. Fraser took inspiration for the lyrics and music from the experiences of those around him. 'In recent years, mental health has played a significant role in my life, deeply affecting my friends and family in ways that hit close to home,' Fraser admitted. 'This song reflects that experience. While I've written about mental health before, this time, I wanted to take a more positive approach – focusing on perseverance and the strength to keep moving forward.' With a minimalistic arrangement that places the focus squarely on the lyrics and raw emotion, the song weaves Fraser's soft yet compelling vocals with delicate string melodies, creating what he describes as a 'sense of gradual intensity, while preserving the intimate and heartfelt nature of the piece'. With heartfelt lyrics, dynamic stage presence, and ever-evolving sound, Fraser is quickly emerging as a standout talent. This may only be the Bathgate musician's second release but he's already made some notable live performances, backed by his band, including at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Party at the Palace, and Kendal Calling. Fraser is inspired by superstar Lewis Capaldi, who grew up not far from him, as well as other artists such as Sam Tompkins, Benson Boone, and James Arthur. He's already shared a stage with Callum Beattie, Wrest, Kid Rain, Samuel Jack and Keir Gibson. His passion for music ignited when he was 14 years old and he recently graduated with an Honours degree in Music. You can find Fraser McLean on social media, search: frasermcleanofficial The World Is Not Done With You Yet is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Party at the Palace 2025: West Lothian family-friendly festival announces comedy line-up
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now A West Lothian festival has announced its 2025 comedy line-up - including talents from across the globe. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Linlithgow's Party at the Palace festival announced its music headliners earlier this month, and has now announced a host of comedy stars who will play throughout the weekend. Party At The Palace has built a reputation as hosting the most unique open air comedy club in Scotland, with an expertly curated line-up courtesy of much-loved Scots comic Des McLean – and it's back over the weekend of August 2 and 3 in Linlithgow. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The line-up for 2025, which will take place between 2-3 August 2025, has announced a number of international TV stars like Glenn Wool, Susie McCabe, Tiff Stevenson, Liam Farrelly, Kim Blythe, Ray Bradshaw, Josie Long, Rosco McLelland, Chris Forbes and Tei Boyd – and of course Des himself. Des McLean will curate this year's line-up | Supplied With the Edinburgh Fringe going on in August too, Des picks out his favourites from the programme there, alongside the turns he feels have to perform whether they're doing Edinburgh or not. Des said: 'I'm bringing you a taste of the very best of the Fringe – along with the comics I rate above and beyond all comers – so it's a real guide to the best of comedy now, and the up and comers I'm tipping for stardom. If this was a gig this is a 40 quid ticket for this line-up, they're all headline acts. 'I'm really proud of this line-up – I know it's a cliché but there is genuinely something for everyone, for every taste – international comics, current and previous award winners, big box office hits and then really offbeat stuff too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm compering and hosting bits in between as usual because I know the audience and we have regulars who come every year – we must be only comedy tent at a festival where we have our own regulars!' Des said he is thrilled at the line-up he has managed to put together this year and he's confident it rivals anything at any major comedy event. He said: 'Sunday is headlined by Susie McCabe who just sold out three Kings Theatre shows and won the Sir Billy Connolly award last year – that's almost 6000 people saw her in March alone. 'Ray Bradshaw headlines Saturday, he's just announced his biggest UK tour, you'll also know him from Off The Ball and he'll be playing the Armadillo in Glasgow. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Glenn Wool is a massive Canadian comic who has six comedy albums out and has starred on Mock The Week and John Bishop Show. He's rarely up here but he's up for The Fringe so we were able to get him. 'Even with stars of social media we have the very best – like Kim Blythe who has 92million on TikTok – the queues for pics with her are wild. 'We have the brilliant Rosco McLelland, he's just won the Sir Billy Connolly award – Pride of Glasgow – he's red hot and was booked before he won it, which is a great endorsement.' Party at the Palace Festival Director John Richardson said: 'This isn't a case of festival bookers throwing together a comedy line-up or trying to pull in some names we think might work. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Comedy is more than that, there's real science and art to programming both the right line-up and how that flows through the two days. 'We have known and respected Des for a long time and he was always a lynchpin of our comedy stuff, so it made absolute sense to hand the whole thing over to him – he's in charge, it's his thing. 'It's been a huge success and we're thrilled to have him on board – it's essentially his picks of the best in comedy both at the Fringe and just in general. 'We really believe in bringing the very best to the festival whether that's music, comedy, food, drinks, all of it – and we are really happy with the line-up across the board this year.' Party at the Palace is in Linlithgow on August 2 and 3, tickets are on sale now
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Party at the Palace festival audience will be rocking and rolling as comedy line-up is announced
Revellers at this year's Party at the Palace will be splitting their sides with laughter thanks to a host of fantastic comedians. Host Des McLean will bring together the best of Scottish talent and his picks from the Fringe for this year's comedy stage line-up. While the family fun weekend will see Boney M, Squeeze, The Hoosiers and Tom Meighan rock the music stage, Party At The Palace has also built a reputation as hosting the most unique open air comedy club in Scotland. Funny man Des McLean will host an expertly curated comedy line-up over the weekend of August 2 and 3 in Linlithgow, which will include international TV stars like Glenn Wool, Susie McCabe, Tiff Stevenson, Liam Farrelly, Kim Blythe, Ray Bradshaw, Josie Long, Rosco McLelland, Chris Forbes and Tei Boyd. With the iconic Fringe going on in August too, Des picks out his favourites from the programme there, alongside the turns he feels have to perform whether they're doing Edinburgh or not. If this was a gig this is a 40-quid ticket for this line-up, they're all headline acts. 'I know it's a cliché but there is genuinely something for everyone, for every taste – international comics, current and previous award winners, big box office hits and then really offbeat stuff too. 'I'm compering and hosting bits in between as usual because I know the audience and we have regulars who come every year – we must be only comedy tent at a festival where we have our own regulars. 'Punters come an hour early to get their bales of hay to sit on, it's a real part of why they're at the festival not just a passing interest to tune in and out of – usually comedy can be a background thing at an event like this but this is a comedy club in the fresh air. 'It reminds me of the beer garden tour Susie McCabe and I did after lockdown. 'People can sit back relax and enjoy it – it's a real cracking event and experience with a certain demographic, family vibes, it's such a nice not up itself event. I love it. 'Often with music festivals, there's a tent in a corner and it's an afterthought but this has a following and a purpose, people come for it as an attraction in its own right.' Des is thrilled at the line-up he has managed to put together this year and he's confident it rivals anything at any major comedy event. Sunday is headlined by Susie McCabe who just sold out three Kings Theatre shows and won the Sir Billy Connolly award last year. Ray Bradshaw from Off The Ball headlines Saturday. Canadian comic Glenn Wool, who has six comedy albums, will also feature, as will Tiff Stevenson who starred alongside Ricky Gervais in The Office, and stars of social media such as TikTok star Kim Blythe. Party at the Palace Festival Director John Richardson said: 'This isn't a case of festival bookers throwing together a comedy line-up or trying to pull in some names we think might work. 'Comedy is more than that, there's real science and art to programming both the right line-up and how that flows through the two days. 'We have known and respected Des for a long time and he was always a lynchpin of our comedy stuff, so it made absolute sense to hand the whole thing over to him – he's in charge, it's his thing. 'It's been a huge success and we're thrilled to have him on board – it's essentially his picks of the best in comedy both at the Fringe and just in general. 'We really believe in bringing the very best to the festival whether that's music, comedy, food, drinks, all of it – and we are really happy with the line-up across the board this year.' For more info and tickets visit: Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
