Battle of the bands win for Bankfoot five-piece
Perth is set to host the famous Kelpies next month at the Black Watch Castle and Museum.
The scaled-down replicas of the world’s largest equine sculpture in Falkirk will take pride of place in the venue’s courtyard from June 2-19 to mark the importance of horses in Scottish and military history.
This comes as the Black Watch Castle and Museum enjoyed a successful summer last year with the Weeping Windows poppy display.
Anne Kinnes, the castle’s chief executive, said: “The Kelpie Maquettes will play a significant part in our ongoing partnership with local and national artists and organisations to showcase a selection of art, poetry and sculpture at the castle.
“The touring maquettes are a fitting tribute to the history of the working horse in Scotland, and their time at the castle and museum will encourage us all to reflect on the important working role of horses throughout Scottish and military history.
“These striking sculptures will be located within the courtyard of the historic Balhousie Castle - the home of the Black Watch.”
The public can view these striking Kelpies at the Black Watch Castle and Museum from Friday, June 2. Perthshire band Real Life Entertainment has blown away rivals from across the country in a top music industry showcase.
The five-piece group from Bankfoot celebrated the biggest night of their musical lives by winning ‘The Pogues Irish Whiskey Presents: A Shot At Discovery’ staged at the O2 Academy in London’s Islington.
Describing their style as “punkyfresh psychedelic rock,” they saw off nine other regional heat winners whittled down from hundreds of the best unsigned acts in the country to earn the vote of a panel of music industry experts.
The band features Rick Michalski (lead vocals), Ross McCaw (lead vocals/guitar), Alex Blundell (lead guitar), Steven Hartshorne (bass) and James Hartshorne (drums).
Ross said: “We knew we had a chance after winning the regional heats but on the night the standard was so high any of the bands could have
Real Life Entertainment, with Spider Stacy of The Pogues won it.
“Our drummer won his coupon during the week though, so the omens were good. It was pretty surreal actually winning and being picked by such respected figures in the music
The Kelpies are coming to Perth’s Black Watch Castle and Museum industry means a great deal. All the hard work we’ve been putting in is starting to pay off.
“Going forward it’s too early to tell but we’ll roll another number and hope for the best. Hopefully it can help push us to the top and put the Tayside music scene back on the map.”
The Big County band have landed an artist development package which includes £3000 for new instruments, studio time to record an EP with members of The Pogues guest producing, live performance opportunities through the nationwide O2 Academy network and support from Brontone Management, who handle Muse, The Pogues and Pulled Apart By Horses.
• Tonight Real Life Entertainment play ‘What’s The Noise’ at The Record Factory in Glasgow and on May 12 they enjoy a homecoming gig at The Green Room in Perth in aid of the Scottish Huntington’s Society, alongside other local favourites The New Madrids, The Curtains, The Cascades and Grand Cane.