Tiree Music Festival gets set to take the island by storm
The countdown is on for the 12th edition of the Tiree Music Festival (TMF) this week, with artists Wet, Wet, Wet making their show debut.
The festival will officially kick off on Friday July 7, running until Sunday July 9, and promises to be "a weekend filled with unparalleled performances and a breadth of exciting activities".
The Hebridean island’s population of 600 will swell in size for the event with 2,100 festival goers – more than three times the usual population – as well as 70 volunteers, 80 staff, contractors and crew and 100 artists.
Since 2010, the festival has brought in excess of £8 million to the local economy with a boost of £1.5 million last year's event to the region.
For TMF 2023 early birds, a vibrant warm-up party on Thursday 6 July will feature a carnival fancy dress theme. Fèis Thiriodh will be hosting a family ceilidh. Fèis Thiriodh will be hosting a family ceilidh, where traditional music and dance will give a taste of the incredible entertainment to come over the weekend.
Festival attendees can take part in Friday’s fancy dress fun run on the beautiful Crossapol beach or start their day with beach yoga, explore the Tyree Distillery with bespoke tours and tastings, do a ARB Sand Art workshop or give back to the island in the Beach Clean. Fergie’s Fun Club offers children's activities by TMF mascot Fergie, while the Gaelic Book Club will run daily sessions in storytelling.
Daniel Gillespie, TMF artistic director, said: “Staging a festival on a remote island is no mean feat and we’re always so grateful to all our supporters, and particularly our travel partners, for making the event possible. We can't wait to welcome everyone to Tiree and share in the magic only TMF can bring.”
Sam Talbot, head of marketing and brand at TMF sponsors Loganair, said: “We’re proud to support entertainment and the arts through our network and are delighted to bring such an iconic Scottish act like Wet Wet Wet to a truly breath-taking Scottish destination like Tiree."
TMF also showcases Tiree's homegrown talent, with Trail West and Skerryvore and Highland sensations Tide Lines headlining on Saturday.
The Elevate Stage, supported by Creative Scotland will showcase emerging talent in Scotland, featuring Valtos, The Laurettes, Nati Dreddd, and Cammy Barnes, semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent.