Fair City singer off to a new start in The Hague
There seems to be a lot of looking back for musical inspiration at the moment – Bowie, Queen, Fake Fest, Rewind and now this: Roxy Magic, a tribute to the 70s band that brought us Love is the Drug and more.
The music of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music comes alive with emotional power and soaring rhythms at the Backstage Bar at the Green Hotel in Kinross, at 9pm on Friday, August 3 and Saturday 4 .
Kevin Hackett is lead vocals with Roxy Magic. Kevin is a huge Bryan Ferry fan and his image and vocal delivery is so stunningly like Bryan that you have to remind yourself that he isn’t the genuine article.
Roxy Magic will perform their stock of best remembered Roxy Music hits – from art rock to disco, 30s ballads to rock’n’roll and ultimately the smooth sophistication of Avalon – live, without the aid of backing tracks.
Both nights will give fans all the tunes that set this band apart – Dance Away, Street Life, Let’s Stick Together and Angel Eyes are just some to listen out for.
Tickets cost £20, available from www.mundellmusic.com Well-known Perth singer, Kenneth Maciver is about to embark on an exciting new study venture.
He has been invited to begin a vocal studies degree at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, beginning this September.
Kenneth (27) has risen through the ranks of Perth’s celebrated Jambouree singers since joining aged 11.
When he heard about his place at the top Dutch college last month, Kenneth was hugely excited to take up this new opportunity abroad.
But going back into education after several years of being in work is going to be a bit of a shock to his pocket.
“My parents don’t have the funds to support me and I will find it tough not earning,” explained Kenneth, who said he’d done “a multitude” of different jobs in Perth– cleaning and hotel reception being just a couple of the hats he’s worn. So as part of his fund- raising activities, Kenneth will soon headline a concert of opera, songs from the shows and Scottish numbers.
The event takes place on Sunday, August 12 in St Leonard’s in the Fields Church, Perth at 7.30pm.
Kenneth will be supported by fellow Jambouree singers, Liam Bonthrone, Moira Duncan and Teenah Bee.
Musical accompaniment comes from Edna Auld, John Walker and accordion maestro Jim Cleland.
“The varied programme I’m offering on August 12 ranges from operatic highlights, including Bizet’s ‘Pearl Fishers Duet’, to a special ‘Scotland the What’ spot,” explained the talented baritone.
Having never lived anywhere outside Perth, the change to living in the Netherlands is going to be big for Kenneth.
He added: “Luckily my course is an international one taught in English.”
After years of singing in Edna Auld’s Jambouree choir, Kenneth made a lasting friendship with tenor Liam Bonthrone.
He and Liam perform together throughout the UK as ‘Two Highland Lads’.
Liam has just received a First Class Honours degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and now moves to the Guildhall School of Music in London to continue his operatic training.
The Perth-raised singing pair are giving a recital in Dunblane Cathedral on Saturday, August 25 at noon.
Entrance to Kenneth’s St Leonard’s concert is free and refreshments will be provided at the interval, so donations of £10 – or more – are suggested.
This can be in cash or cheques, which may be paid to ‘Jambouree Choir’ or to ‘Kenneth Maciver’.
All donations received will support Kenneth in his vocal studies at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. Kevin Hackett is Bryan Ferry