BELLADRUM Tartan Heart Festival boasts a beautiful site in the idyllic Beauly, just outside of Inverness in Scotland. Pockets of entertainment are hidden around the grounds, stages are nestled between ancient trees and fans of all ages embrace the electric entertainment. Its sold-out this year thanks to the two crowd-pleasing headline acts, special appearances from big names, plus a wealth of breakthrough and local talent worth getting excited over.
The heavy-weights of the weekend come in the form of legendary Tom Jones, cult indie band of the noughties Razorlight and special guests Frightened Rabbit. Frabbit are currently in the studio in Wales working on the fourth album. The band last released a LP in 2013, but frontman Scott has been keeping busy with Owl John; a side project that will see him tour a new album throughout August. It’s all Frabbit in Beauly though, and we suspect you can expect to hear new material from the forthcoming LP among singalong hits.
The big sounding Band of Skulls will play one of their only Scottish festival dates this summer at Belladrum this weekend. The band released The Hoochie Coochie EP last month on the back of the critically-acclaimed third album Himalayan, which was released earlier this year. Band of Skulls unleash mass noise with a simple set-up and what’s not to love about that? If you like jaggy, catchy, guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll, be sure to check them out.
Fresh from a tour with the mighty Rolling Stones, The Temperance Movement are to appear at Belladrum for the first time since the release of their debut self-titled album. The blues rock ‘n’ roll band will tour Europe in the autumn, their Scottish dates selling out for the third time shortly after going on sale. Lead singer Phil Campbell first appeared at TTV HQ in November 2011 and has since recorded another two sessions with TTM. Expect Black Crowes influences with a Glasgow twang. Check out their session below-
Names like I Am Kloot and Grandmaster Flash give Belladrum its diverse flare. I Am Kloot are no stranger to the festival circuit, their new album Let It All In set to influence their set, but expect a few classics from the Manchester band. And on the other end of the spectrum, Grandmaster Flash will provide the hip-hop soundtrack. The artist had some of the biggest hits from the 1980’s including the infectious ‘White Lines’ and ‘The Message’ and is sure to create a memorable Belladrum bounce this weekend.
2014 has been a rocketing year for Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire. Following solo releases by Hart, 2013 saw the release of the band’s eponymous LP and shows during the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The debut record going on to receive a Scottish Album of the Year nomination in April 2014. Belladrum Tartan Heart will provide a true Scottish welcoming to the band with a traditional heart.
Hype band of 2014, Catfish & The Bottlemen have taken it all in their stride, releasing brilliant tracks ahead of their debut LP dropping in the Autumn. Latest single ‘Cocoon’ will be released on September 15th through Communion/Island Records, this will be the sixth single for the Llandudno four piece. Expect an electric set from the new kids on the block. Watch their session from earlier on this year below-
An outstanding mix of local talent are set to fill the tents with the likes of Casual Sex, PAWS, Anderson McGinty Webster Ward and Fisher, Fat Goth, Model Aeroplanes, Hector Bizerk and Tijuana Bibles all on the bill. Many fresh from sets at Wickerman Festival last month, although differing in genres you can expect bravado, noise, energy and Scottish passion from each of their sets.
Tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart festival are sold-out. For more information on the festival click here.
