Stephanie weaves her pop magic at Stirling’s Hogmanay
I’m really looking forward to it and it’s going to be extra special with the timing Singer Stephanie Cheape
Scottish singing star Stephanie Cheape says Stirling’s Hogmanay will showcase her new sound for 2020.
Named as Scotland’s Best Unsigned Act in 2017, the singer tore up TRNSMT and the Belladrum Festival this year.
She also supported the likes of Roxy Music founder Bryan Ferry.
Over the past 12 months, Stephanie, who hails from Hamilton, has been on a musical journey, honing a new style and earning further recognition and accolades along the way.
She is now getting ready to entertain thousands of New Year revellers at Stirling Castle with her concoction of dark pop magic.
Stephanie said: “I’m really looking forward to it and it’s going to be extra special with the timing.
“I have been working with my head down most of the year and it’s nice that everything has come together towards the end of 2019. It’s going to be really exciting to be able share that experience and play music I haven’t been able to play yet.
“I originally started with a rock/indie type vibe but I wanted to try to home in on some of the artists that inspired me, such as Annie Lennox.
“I connected with the emotion in their music and I wanted to try to bring that into mine – pop but a bit darker and twisted.
“It’s quite a gruelling industry so you have to stick to your guns and not get pushed into something, so I went away, found what I wanted to do and worked at my craft.
“This feels like the start for me and I’m so happy with where I am just now. This has been the year of grafting, so it’s going to be really exciting to start 2020 at Stirling’s Hogmanay.”
Stephanie’s recent release, Cool My Mind, received rave reviews, including being named as Single of the Week by Radio Scotland in September, cementing her status as one of Scotland’s top up-and-coming musical talents.
She said: “Cool My Mind is one of the songs I wrote with my new sound. It’s about being reborn into the industry without blinkers and letting yourself get carried away a bit, as the world can be a difficult place. It’s turned a few heads and the response has been brilliant.”
The powerful track will feature on Stephanie’s set-list for Stirling’s Hogmanay. She will be backed by a band made up of Don Wilson (drums), Gary
Aird (bass) and Jonny Queen (guitar, piano and synth).
Stephanie, who has been working with Sam McTrusty and Ross McNae from Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic, said: “The thing I love about performing is seeing other people connect with music and disconnecting from what they were thinking about an hour before the show – all their daily problems. I love having that feeling with the crowd, and I don’t hold back as people need to come with you.
“I am looking forward to putting on an exciting show and a statement about women going into 2020, where we are in the world, but most of all, it will be about enjoying ourselves as life is short so we will be bringing a party to Stirling.”
Headliners at Stirling’s Hogmanay, Treacherous Orchestra, are renowned for electrifying audiences wherever they play, including European festivals and sold-out shows at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival.
To ensure everyone can enjoy the celebrations, Stirling Council is also staging a family friendly concert earlier in the evening.
Gifted young singer Gemma Lamont will get the party atmosphere started in earnest, unleashing a selection of the biggest and best chart anthems with her powerhouse vocals.
For those seeking something more traditional, Glaswegian outfit Dlu will also showcase their energetic offering of modern Scottish music, which has set them apart from anything in their genre in their home city.
Both events will climax with incredible fireworks displays, with a kaleidoscope of colour illuminating Stirling Castle and lighting up the city’s historic landscape.
Tickets for Stirling’s Hogmanay are priced £12.50. All attendees must have a valid ticket (£1 booking fee per ticket)
Stirling’s Family Hogmanay, family ticket £20 (one adult and three children or two adults and two children). Individual ticket £6.
Tickets must be collected before the event and are available from The Albert Halls and
The Tolbooth box offices and from https://stirlingevents.org/
For more information and to stay up-to-date on Stirling Winter Festival 2019, head to the dedicated Stirling Winter Festival website.