Glasgow Letter
I SPENT last weekend at the Tiree Music Festival which, although many miles from Glasgow, is much spoken about in the city – not least because the Skerryvore boys (who put so much work into the organisation of it every year) reside down here.
There are also, as I wrote last week, many Glasgow-based bands that play at the festival. This is also the case with Hebcelt on the island of Lewis.
I heard from the Skipinnish boys, some of whom arrived a little the worse for wear after feeling the effects of a fairly rough crossing from Lewis, that it was a fantastic weekend.
The weather in Tiree certainly didn’t reach the sunny heights of the glorious and unforgettable TMF 2013, and the rain unfortunately forced the closure of the outdoor stage but, in true West Coast fashion, the party went on regardless in the Big Top tent – which saw some truly wonderful music over the course of the weekend and produced an incredible atmosphere.
A big moment was Trail West’s album launch on the Saturday night. It’s not always an easy thing to perform brand new material to a massive crowd, but Trail West had so much energy and, from start to finish, the boys had the crowd going bananas.
Nestled in among their set was the famous song from their debut album,
Island Boy, and the crowd’s enthusiasm to this remained right up until they finished off with their most recent hit
Close to Home – a release that I wrote about in previous weeks.
Heron Valley, a young band from Strachur, rocked the Big Top tent the following day with a highly dynamic set.
Both Trail West and Heron Valley are playing in the Park Bar this weekend which is a chance for those in Glasgow who didn’t make it up to TMF to experience a glimpse of what they missed.
Dùn Mòr and Gunna Sound were two other bands who regularly appear in the Park Bar who performed brilliantly at TMF.
Ceilidh King Fergie MacDonald’s set for dancing was another highlight, as was the Scott Wood Band, who were characteristically high- octane.
The Sunday of the festival was a memorable day for me personally, as my new band Tide Lines was launched. The atmosphere in the tent that day was electric due to the cracking bands that had played, and the crowd made our first ever gig a complete joy.
We all really enjoyed ourselves – particularly once our slot was over, and we could relax and enjoy the excellent Blazin’ Fiddles, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and my good friends the Skipinnish boys – who finished the whole festival off perfectly.
It’s back to Glasgow for me (and many others) this week, where things are beginning to return to normal: the students will soon be back and the football has started.
In the coming months, there will be plenty of great events in Glasgow, and I cannot wait.