THIS weekend, Belladrum Tartan Heart makes its eagerly anticipated return to Beauly in the Highlands for three days of thrilling live music and entertainment.
Since its inception in 2004, the festival has established itself as a jewel in the crown of Scotland’s thriving festival scene with an eccentric yet family-friendly atmosphere that is so uniquely its own –welcoming festival-goers of all ages with its eclectic line-ups, hidden gems and creative quirks.
This year will be no different with a programme packed full of bonafide stars and exciting up and coming artists – including headliners Sigrid, Bastille and Travis, big names like Pale Waves, The Zutons, KT Tunstall as well as fast-rising stars like Katie Gregson-Macleod, Olivia Dean, Bemz and more. And with tickets exceeding even last year’s sales, it looks set to be one of the biggest Belladrums to date.
So, with the festival only days away, we spoke to Event Producer Dougie Brown who was in the very midst of final preparations, covering everything from the festival’s ever-growing popularity to its inclusive ethos and the challenges of booking such an eclectic line-up.
He said: “We’ve had a slight increase in capacity this year, and we’re very close to selling out. We hope we might get there. The key thing about that is we don’t take it for granted, we’re very grateful that we have such a loyal audience that come to Bella year in and year out, especially post-covid and with the ongoing financial crises. We’re very lucky to be in the position we’re in.”
With the cost-of-living crisis affecting festivals, gigs and events up and down the country, Bella are in unique position this year – but this is no fluke. The festival has a rich heritage behind it, stretching almost twenty years, and its growing popularity is testament to the special atmosphere it has created, as well as the place it holds in so many people’s hearts – particularly around the Highlands.
Speaking about their ongoing success, Dougie said: “I think a huge part of it is the history attached to Bella. Bella, without sounding too over the top, is so engrained in the culture of Inverness, the Highlands and wider Scotland that it’s part of what people do every year.”
“I was talking to someone as their children love Bella and they were saying that if they gave their kids the choice of Bella or Christmas one year, they’d struggle with what one to do. And that for me sums up how much it has got into the heart and soul of the Highlands. Around 70% of our audience comes from within the Highlands and wider area– I think that’s how we’ve maybe bucked the trend slightly, and weathered the storm slightly better than other great festivals. I think it’s that longevity.”
Part of this long-standing appeal has always been Bella’s all-encompassing, family-friendly atmosphere. This ‘festival for all’ ethos runs through its very fabric – from its wildly eclectic line-ups, to its wide range of activities to its many hidden quirks nestles around the scenic grounds.
He said: “I think it’s how the festival was designed in year one, it’s more just about making sure we don’t change what’s already there. Joe (Gibbs) set up a festival in 2004, and the building blocks of it were to create a family-friendly festival that all generations could attend – from newborns to little kids to teenagers to parents and grandparents. It’s just about ensuring the programme reflects that and that we don’t alter what is a great setup. A lot of it is programming, and staying close to the community side as well.”
Homegrown in the Highlands, the festival continues to put the community at the heart of everything it does – a rare thing in an increasingly commercialised industry. “Yes, we’ve grown, but I think what’s amazing about Bella is that it’s grown from a tiny festival to Scotland’s largest camping festival yet still retains that community feel to it. One of the prime examples is that one of the prime locations of the festival since year one has been given to the Kiltarlity village hall committee and they have a tea and cake stall there. It’s the biggest fundraiser they have to support the community and village hall in the year and they’ve had it since year one. Other festivals might think that’s a prominent spot to give to a sponsor and charge a lot of money for it, whereas Bella have kept that ethos. That sums up the essence of it.”
Of course, music is still the lifeblood of the festival, and organisers have once again curated a line-up to appeal to all ages – from traditional folk to soul to rock to pop, the array of genres on show is as eclectic as it is refreshing and exciting.
Speaking about the 2023 bill, Dougie said: “I genuinely feel this is one of our strong line-ups yet across the board. Bella’s lineup is brilliant and one of the most fun parts of the job is pulling that together. Again, we have to appeal to our core audience butt it’s important to have those wee moments of magic and surprises.”
Naturally, curating a line-up as eclectic and colourful as this one comes with its own unique set of challenges. He noted: “I think the biggest challenge is convincing agents that our line-ups makes sense. A lot of the time when artists are booked, and quite rightly, they want to know the running order, who they’re clashing with and want to make sure that it’s in keeping with who they are as an artist.”
“Bella is a lot more eclectic and off the wall, I think that’s the thing – we need to convince artists and their teams to trust us and understand that it’s a brilliant festival. It’s about having a whole inclusive, eclectic line-up – the weird and wonderful, and just having a great time. “
As for acts, he has on his personal must-see list this year? “It has to be Punk Rock Factory as they’re such a Bella act. They put out an album of Disney songs, all done proper punk style. Sigrid is one of the best up and coming pop acts at the moment and she’s so Bella – great family appeal, great songs and the live show is phenomenal. I saw her in the Usher Hall and she blew me away.”
“There’s Elephant Sessions, a great Scottish band and the traditional stuff does really well up here. Kiefer Sutherland – I think everyone across the site wants to see him so that’s going to be a challenge getting them all in the tent. There’s so much wherever you go, including local acts like Rachel Sermanni and Katie Gregson-McLeod.”
And as well as the revered Garden Stage and Hot House Stage where festival-goers will see some of the biggest names of the weekend, there has always been a thirst for new music at Belladrum – with the likes of the Grassroots and Seedlings stages shining a light on the best up and coming talent the country has to offer, from around the Highlands and much further afield.
“The Seedlings is great, Bemz will be in there which will be amazing, and Haiver (a new band from Frightened Rabbit’s Billy Kennedy) which we’re really excited about. Frightened Rabbit had a very long history with the festival and we’re delighted to have Billy coming up. They played at the festival so many times over the years and they always cited it as their favourite festival so it’s good to keep that relationship going.”
As for changes, regular Bella attendees will notice quite a big one on the site this year with the main and second stage shifting locations – the Main Stage has moved permanently to the Hot House arena while the much-loved Garden Stage will continue to host a brilliant array of acts.
He said: “We have a brand-new main stage this year with a brand-new location so it’s all change. It looks amazing! It’s always a worry, especially as the Bella Garden stage is so iconic – but the new set-up looks incredible and I think people are going to love it so we’re very excited.”
“Apart from that, we’ve built a lot into the walled garden, there’s loads more happening in there this year – you can get involved with crafts and all sorts, for all ages as well. This year we’re also creating a retro games arcade – not computer-game retro but proper wood, handmade retro arcade games.”
There’s no denying that the festival has evolved a lot in its near twenty years, with nearly 25,000 music fans expected through its gates over the weekend – one of its biggest line-ups to date. However, it has always stayed true to its core roots – and that’s what makes the people keep coming back.
Since beginning work on the site in 2005, Dougie has many special memories to share – from star-studded line-ups to the artists who have progressed along with the festival.
He said: “I don’t where to start on that – one has to be Lewis Capaldi. The year we booked him was when he just started to bubble and by the time the summer came round, he was the hottest act in the UK and maybe the world. He was on third last and arguably could have been headlining the whole thing.”
“As I’ve been with the festival so long, it’s also watching bands progress. I remember Twin Atlantic playing our Seedlings Stage as a new band – we had to put a pause on their set as it was getting so packed. Our health and safety manager at the time said the only way the set could continue was if everyone sat down – so we had Twin Atlantic playing the tent with everyone sat on the floor. We then had them back at the Hot House a year later, to then Main Stage a few years later to finally headline the festival in their own right. Those little journeys are what’s really special.”
“We had Emile Sande who did the same, played the Grassroots Stage when she first came and then headlined it much later on in her career. Amy Macdonald did the same. It’s seeing the progression of those artists that’s the most exciting thing.”
And is there anyone he could see replicating this success? “The big one would be Katie Gregson-Macleod” he said. “She played last year opening up the Hot House with her band. Two weeks after the festival, her song went viral on TikTok and she’s now signed to Columbia, played festivals all across Europe, nominated for an Ivor Novello award. And is now coming back this year in a very different situation.”
There’s many artists to keep an eye on – also, of course, the forthcoming 20th anniversary of Belladrum which lands next year. The 2023 edition may not have kicked off yet, but that doesn’t mean eyes aren’t set on the future.
Keen to give nothing away, Dougie says: “We’ve got a couple of ideas for line-ups, but we’re currently discussing what our birthday theme should be. Hopefully by the end of this weekend, we’ll have some plans in place!”
With a sell-out expected very soon, the final tickets to Belladrum 2023 are on sale here.
