Music boost for Southern Fried
Time to enjoy free sessions at festival
If you didn’t see Fred MacAulay perform in Perth in June, there will be another chance to catch his 2017 Summer Comedy Showcase at Blairgowrie Town Hall on July 15.
With so much happening politically at home and abroad, there’s no shortage of material for comedians and Fred plans to make use of it all in his new stand up show that’s heading for the Edinburgh Fringe.
As well as the usual suspects from UK politics, he’ll be putting President Trump in the frame -“Every comedian worth his salt has Trump material,”said Fred.
“I’m probably the only comic who has suffered personally as a result of his election.
“Turnberry is one of my favourite golf courses, but as a small personal protest against Trump’s blatant racism and misogyny I’ve decreed that I’ll never play the course again whilst it’s under his stewardship! It’s this kind of gesture that will hopefully make Trump think again!”
Fred might not have the answers to political questions, but one thing is for sure, after nearly 30 years on stage, he’ll have a good laugh about it all. Next month’s Southern Fried Festival is shaping up to be another great one for music fans and regular festival-goers.
And organisers have just announced that a selection of free music is being made possible thanks to support John Ross Hi-Fi and Goldrush Records.
The Charlotte Street store will sponsor the Southern Fried Festival’s free Acoustic Stage in Perth Concert Hall’s Norie-Miller Studio on Saturday 29 and Sunday, July 30 as well as Sunday’s Open Mic in The Venue.
Running alongside the free Southern Fried Outdoor Stage on Perth Concert Hall Plaza, the acoustic stage will be compered by Roberto Cassani and feature an eclectic mix of local and visiting singers and musicians with an Americana influence. The stage times between the free stages will be staggered so that there is a non-stop programme of music on offer in and around Perth Concert Hall from 1pm - 7pm on both days.
Glasgow songwriter Steve Grozier, one of four artists chosen in association with the Americana Music Association UK will open the stage on the July 29 at 1.30pm.
Northern English ‘celtic soul man’ Gary Hall gets the party started on Sunday, July 39 followed by leading UK Americana artist Danni Nicholls.
There is a solo debut for Red Pine Timber Co and First Ladies of Country singer Katie Whittaker. New Glasgow duo Saint Huck bring tight old-school harmonies to their fresh songwriting style and the afternoon ends with acclaimed UK folk players with a shared love of American roots music, Jenn Butterworth and Laura-Beth Salter.
Once again, John Ross Hi-Fi will be hosting free album listening sessions which this year will take place with Gary Hall on Friday, July 28 at 3pm and breakfast-time slots at 11am with Jim Lauderdale and Rab Noakes respectively on Saturday 29 and Sunday, July 30.
John Ross of John Ross Hi-Fi and John Thomson of Goldrush Records said: “We are delighted, and extremely excited, to once again be part of the Southern Fried Festival. We are looking forward to welcoming music lovers to our classic album events and catching up with some good music over the weekend. And we are also keen to see what the Open Mic brings as last year’s entrants were of a very high quality hopefully we will see similar this year.”
Southern Fried Festival director Andy Shearer said: “We were delighted with our first year of partnership with John Ross Hi-Fi last year. In its first year, the Acoustic Stage was an instant success and it couldn’t have been staged without their support.
“The Classic Album events in their shop were a great new addition to the programme and proved very popular with our audience so we plan to increase the number of those this year. Sponsorship is a key funding source for the Southern Fried Festival and we are grateful to John Ross Hi-Fi and Goldrush Records for their continuing support.”
An increasingly popular fixture in the festival schedule, the free Southern
Southern Fried Festivalgoers and passing music fans will be treated to another exciting selection of free music this year thanks to renewed sponsorship from local Hi-Fi, Home Automation and Audio-Visual supplier, John Ross Hi-Fi and Goldrush Records Fried Sunday Open Mic returns on Sunday, July 30 at 2pm. Hosted in The Venue by Red Pine Timber Co’s Gav Munro, visiting musicians and singers can join local acts in what is always a fun-filled afternoon. Performance slots can be booked via southernfried@ horsecross.co.uk or acts can take their chance on the day.
Compered by Bruce Fummey, this year’s Southern Fried Festival Outdoor Stage kicks off on Friday, July 28 from 5pm until 6.30pm and then again on Saturday and Sunday afternoons featuring an exciting mix of musicians from both sides of the Atlantic. The Outdoor Stage line-up will be announced in due course.
Nick Lowe, Loudon Wainwright III and Beth Nielsen Chapman headline the 10th Southern Fried Festival which will also feature Andy Fairweather Low and The Hi Riders and an all-star cast of singers in Rock ‘n’ Roll Music: The Songs of Chuck Berry and North Star: Scotland Sings Canada, a celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary. 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.
The Southern Fried Festival is funded by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s events directorate.
For tickets and info contact Horsecross Arts box office on 01738 621031 visit www.southernfriedfestival. co.uk. Make sure you are a Southern Fried Facebook and Twitter buddy for all the back stage chat.