Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival returns to the idyllic surroundings of Beauly in the Highlands this weekend, from July 31st – August 2nd. Known for its eclectic line-ups and carnival atmosphere, the 2025 edition promises a jam-packed bill of big names, local heroes and emerging artists. So, as festival-goers prepare to head up to Inverness, here’s some of our top acts to check out.
Alcatraz
After beating off hundreds of submissions, Alcatraz were the winners of our Belladrum X TENEMENT TRAIL lineup – meaning they ‘ve been added to both bills. Citing Wolf Alice, The Mysterines, Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy and The Doors as major influences, they deal in grungey, punky alt-rock – and their live show just gets better and better. Make sure to catch them on the Garden Stage.
CMAT
CMAT summer comes to Belladrum as the Irish country star takes on the Garden Stage on Saturday ahead of headliners Supergrass. Following show-stopping performances at Glastonbury, Primavera, Truck Festival and much more this summer, her set will undoubtedly be one of the most eagerly anticipated of the weekend – so don’t miss out. Her songs are catchy, poignant and well-crafted, while you can also expect plenty of energy, passion, charisma and stage diving. Her eagerly anticipated third album ‘EURO-COUNTRY’ arrives on 29th August.
Kassidy
After regrouping a couple of years ago to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their debut album ‘Hope Street’, Kassidy have once again hit the road for a spate of live shows around the country – including an eagerly anticipated return to Belladrum. The band have a storied history at the festival, and this is sure to be another memorable trip. Known for their incredible vocals, guitar-driven melodies and rootsy folk-rock sound, as well as their high-energy live shows, they play the Garden Stage on Friday night.
The Joy Hotel
Formed in the east end of Glasgow in 2019, it’s been a year since The Joy Hotel shared their debut album ‘Ceremony’. With founders Morgan Woods (Emme Woods) and Luke Boyce sharing vocal duties, their sound is defined by their shared love of vintage pop, layered arrangements, psych rock and classic vocal groups. Having had a fairly quiet 2025 so far, they’ve been away working on the follow-up to ‘Ceremony’ so Belladrum will mark a welcome live return for the outfit.
Katie Gregson-MacLeod
Highlands singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod goes back to her roots this weekend to the place where she first started developing her craft. She returns to Belladrum following the recent release of her new EP ‘Love Me Too Well, I’ll Retire Early’, out on Matt Maltese’s label Last Recordings on Earth. It’s a gorgeous, heartfelt quintet of songs that finds strength in its quiet intimacy and stripped back arrangements. A songwriter with heaps of talent, she’s got a very bright future ahead.
Ben Walker
Ben Walker is gradually amassing a loyal following with his catchy tunes and relatable storytelling. No stranger to the local live scene, he’s been making his presence known up and down the UK – and even headlined a sold-out St Lukes earlier this year. In the middle of a busy summer, he’s sure to win over more fans this weekend.
James Emmanuel
Nigerian-born, Edinburgh-based James Emmanual channels the spirit of classic soul icons through his timeless soul music. From church choirs to the open mics and jam sessions of Edinburgh, he has spent time honing his craft – with his voice, rich, expressive, and unmistakably his own, standing at the heart of it. Shaped by faith, fatherhood and a relentless drive to turn adversity into art, he is a powerful storyteller who captures the full spectrum of life—from heartbreak to healing—with a raw honesty that resonates deeply.
