The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
March into Pitlochry
Town Hall and Mackay’s Hotel, March 24-March 25
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, audiences at the second annual March into Pitlochry festival should be bursting anticipation for this weekend’s event at the town hall and McKay’s Hotel.
Likewise, the acts at this year’s line-up, some of whom were standouts last year, are looking forward immensely to their sets.
One of these is Saturday’s headliners Hunter and the Bear, who have been asked back by popular demand after a blistering performance in 2016.
Lead singer Will Irvine recognised last year’s show as one of their defining moments in a great year overall for the band.
Now back with their new album Paper Heart, due for release in May, Will knows expectations will be higher for them this year.
“We had such a good time last year and we are looking forward to going back,” he said.
“We will be playing the songs from the album at Pitlochry. We need to be on our A-game with the UK tour in mind.
“We have supported Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Simple Minds. It was such a huge honour getting those slots.
“They all took a chance on us and in a small way, put their reputation on the line by saying they think our fans will like this new band. Luckily for us, it went really well.
“The Clapton tour was a real coming of age for us. At that point we had been playing very small venues. Then all of a sudden we are at the Hydro in Glasgow with 12,000 or whatever there and travelling around the country playing these big arenas. “It was ridiculous. “When we did the Clapton stuff he was mostly in and out of the arenas.
“But we had a chat with him in one of the catering areas one night and he was very supportive, saying he was enjoying what we were doing.”
Headlining the Saturday afternoon acoustic session is Peter Bruntnell.
He has taken to the road with a trio comprising himself on acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals and accompanied by Danny Williams (ex- Black Grape and St Etienne) on double bass, with Iain Sloan on pedal steel, guitar and backing vocals.
The full line-up reads: Tonight, Pitlochry Town Hall: Altinak, Dannie Smillie, The Carloways, Jericho Hill and Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove;
McKays: King of Birds and Dead Man Fall.
Tomorrow, McKays: JC and the Hopeless Sinners, Peter Bruntnell, Stetsonhead and The Lorelei; Town Hall: Purple Felts, 100 Fables, MIR, James Mackenzie and Band, Miracle Glass Company, The Dunwells and Hunter and the Bear.