Fish can’t wait to rock out at Craigie Hillfest

Rock listed him among their top 50 all-time greatest front men.

Fish said: “I was contacted by Pauline Harrier at Hillfest out of the blue and the timing was right.

“I hadn’t done a festival in Scotland since Dalkeith in 2015.

“I had my band together anyway so it was easy to slot in the Perth date. We are all looking forward to it.

“It’s the first time I have played in Perth since a gig at the beautiful old theatre on the Fish Heads tour. We sold it out. I think that was eight years back.

“I’d love to play the concert hall. I saw John Martyn there and it is impressive. It’s maybe a bit big for us, unless there’s a demand on the farewell tour.”

Songs from the EP ‘A Parley With Angels’ will be profiled next weekend.

And Fish is currently progressing his new album ‘Weltschmerz’, with a view to a February release date, before he takes to the road again.

“My mum moved in with us at the start of the year and we decided to cut back on the live dates,” he explained.

“We have been trying to get the album moved along and things have been a bit hectic on the personal front.

“I was keen to be around the family at home rather than be away on tour.

“I have also had two doses of sepsis this year, which has been pretty awful. I’m not long out of hospital.

“It can wipe you out a bit because your immune system gets hit for six. But I’m fighting fit for Hillfest.

“Perth is our only UK date this year. But the band is well-versed in festivals and we have a well-honed set ready for Hillfest.

“It was raining in Bonn but hopefully the weather plays ball for Perth. If not, it’s Scotland and audiences here see anything other than a bit of rain as a bonus.”

Doors open at 1pm on August 31 and a string of bands are on the bill, including the Rude Boys.

Day tickets priced £30 are available at ticketweb.co.uk under Craigie Hill Festival and at the door. Under 14s are not being charged.