Southern Fried to take on Canadian celebration
Some of Scotland’s finest musicians and singers including Justin Currie, Karine Polwart and James Grant are to join Canadian artists to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s foundation at Perth’s Southern Fried Festival.
The specially created show will close the festival which runs in Perth Concert Hall and other city centre venues from Thursday, July 27-30.
Justin Currie, Karine Polwart, James Grant, Kris Drever, Dean Owens, and Emma Pollock will join special Canadian guests Cyndi Cain and Joey Landreth and a house band led by Stuart Nisbet to explore the influence Canadian artists have exerted over generations of writers and performers across the world, in particular those playing music with roots in the southern states of the USA.
These include The Band, the original Americana group, and icons who defined what it was to be a songwriter – Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. North Star will also include songs by some of Canada’s seemingly endless roll-call of great artists in a unique one-off show that will appeal to all fans of great songwriting.
Top UK Americana artist and Southern Fried regular Dean Owens said: “Some of my favourite artists have come out of Canada and I’m very much looking orward to celebrating their huge contribution to roots music at Southern Fried.”
Southern Fried regular and musical director for the show Stuart Nisbet said: “It’s always a real thrill helping to put one of these big Southern Fried specials together - this show features great singers and great songs again - when we started talking about he idea we were astonished at the richness of songwriting talent in what we lazily call ‘Americana’. ”
This show will be particularly interesting given the close Scottish connection to Canada and its spirit; Nick Lowe, Loudon Wainwright III and Beth Nielson Chapman headline the tenth Southern Fried Festival which will also feature Andy Fairweather Low & The Hi Riders and an all-star cast of singers in Rock ‘n’ Roll Music: The Songs of Chuck Berry.
Southern Fried also includes smaller gigs in city centre venues, open mic sessions, a free outdoor stage, a daytime acoustic stage and various fringe events plus a generous serving of the famous Southern Fried soul food. More acts are still to be announced.
For tickets contact Horsecross on 01738 621031, or visit www. southernfriedfestival.co.uk