28-02-2025
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.
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"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.
