Skipinnish announces Karen Matheson as their opening act
Taynuilt’s Karen Matheson, one of Scotland’s most iconic Celtic singers, and her band will be special guests when rock band Skipinnish plays at Edinburgh Castle this summer to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Skipinnish co-founder Angus MacPhail said it is “a huge honour” to be joined by the songstress.
He added: “Karen is a true icon of Celtic music and her unique, beautiful voice has carried Gaelic song across the world.
“What a wonderful addition to our 25th anniversary celebrations and a huge treat to our audience.”
“This is the biggest show we have ever played and we are so grateful to our fans who have supported us throughout our voyage and given us this chance to perform in a setting beyond the wildest dreams of the two young lads we were in 1999.
“Of everything I’m looking forward to about this event, by far the most powerful, is the sound of a Skipinnish crowd in full voice resonating around the castle and down the Royal Mile.”
Karen says she is “very excited” to be the opening act “for the fantastic Skipinnish, at such an iconic venue. I can’t wait”.
Mark Mackie, who is director of Castle Concerts, said: “We are delighted to announce that Karen and her band will be special guests with Skipinnish as they celebrate their big birthday with us up at the castle this year for what will be a truly amazing event.”
This is a far cry from January 1999 when two recently-acquainted college friends sat down and played a tune together. One tune led to another, one gig led to another and a musical powerhouse was born.
In the years since then, founder members Angus MacPhail from the Isle of Tiree and Andrew Stevenson from Achnacarry in Lochaber, have taken Skipinnish from a duo, playing pubs, ceilidhs and weddings, to a seven-piece force of Scottish music and song touring the UK and Europe and filling venues at home, while riding on an ever-growing wave of popularity.
Tickets are sale now through Ticketmaster.
Taynuilt’s Karen Matheson, one of Scotland’s most iconic Celtic singers, and her band will be joining Skipinnish at Edinburgh