Latest news with #ScottishActofTheYear2025
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Band that went viral with 'Scottish drum and bass' to play at music festival
A Scottish band that went viral for combining traditional music with drum and bass is set to take the stage at a popular trad music festival at an East Renfrewshire park. The duo, called Valtos, will perform at The Reeling, the summer celebration of Scottish contemporary folk music, from June 6 to 8 at Rouken Glen Park. Tickets and the full line-up are available now at The finalists for the BBC's Scottish Act of The Year 2025 have been blending Scottish folk with electronic music for four years. However, their latest Instagram video has introduced their unique sound to millions of new listeners. The clip, titled "Have you ever wondered what Drum and Bass would sound like if it was from Scotland?", saw the group blend the two opposing genres by layering drum and bass with live fiddle and guitar. READ MORE: Call for resignations after 'humiliating' battery storage appeal decision The video gained more than 1.3 million views and attracted 30,000 new followers within a month. Martyn MacDonald, one half of the duo who hails from the Isle of Skye, said: "We didn't expect it to explode like that, we were just doing what we usually do - rehearsing together. "We put it up, and within a day or two, it just took off. "People were tagging their mates, sharing it, and suddenly our follower count was jumping up by the thousands. "It was mad." Valtos consists of Martyn, 29, and Daniel Docherty, 33. They have said that their social media presence has been key to their rise. READ MORE: 'Beautiful' Barrhead care home strives to make residents happy and comfortable Martyn said: "At the start, we'd overthink everything we posted, but now we just try to put stuff out regularly and not stress too much about it. "The more natural and off-the-cuff it feels, the better it does. Daniel added: "The algorithm's a strange beast, but once one video blows up, all your other stuff starts getting seen too. "You just have to keep the momentum going." As they continue to evolve, Valtos take inspiration from a wide range of artists. Daniel said: "We listen to everything from Enya to Fred Again."
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025 winner announced
BBC Radio Scotland has announced Becky Sikasa as the Scottish Act of The Year 2025, celebrating the most exciting emerging talent in Scotland's music scene. The final took place on Tuesday 25 March at Platform in Glasgow, where the four finalists - ili, Indoor Foxes, Becky Sikasa and Valtos - delivered incredible performances in front of a live audience. Hosted by BBC Introducing's Stephanie Cheape and Phoebe Inglis-Holmes, the event showcased the very best of Scotland's up-and-coming music acts. However, there could only be one winner and, after a standout performance, Becky claimed the prestigious title of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025. The decision was made by an expert judging panel featuring TV presenter and radio host Shereen Cutkelvin, BBC Radio 1's Jess Iszatt, Dougie Payne from Travis and Dead Pony frontwoman Anna Shields, who faced the tough job of selecting the winner from the outstanding lineup of finalists. Becky says: 'I am absolutely buzzing to be named BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2025! It's been such an amazing experience to perform alongside all these incredible artists. I'm so grateful for this amazing opportunity, especially being able to do it alongside my best friends.' Heather Kane-Darling, Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland, says: "Massive congratulations to Becky Sikasa for being crowned Scottish Act of the Year 2025! Every year, I'm blown away by the level of talent in Scotland and the diversity of music coming through. Our four finalists truly represent the incredible range of artists we have here and I'm so proud that BBC Introducing can shine a light on them early in their careers. I can't wait to see what's next for them all!" The search for the Scottish Act of the Year 2025 began in January with hundreds of hopeful music acts from across the country submitting their tracks for consideration. After a rigorous selection process, eight shortlisted acts were revealed at the end of February, before the final four were announced to compete in the grand final in March. As part of the prize, the winning act will receive two professional recording sessions with BBC Radio Scotland, a coveted slot at TRNSMT, Scotland's biggest music festival, and a bespoke PR campaign to help elevate their career. Audiences can tune in to the final on BBC Scotland on Saturday 29 March at 10pm, with radio highlights airing on Friday 28 March at 8pm. Watch the 2025 BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year on BBC iPlayer Listen to BBC Introducing in Scotland on BBC Sounds RS
