Savour some sweet sounds online

I’ll start this week by blowing my own trumpet... Not only have I released my new CD in the last fortnight, which is available from me through Facebook, I have now set up the Velocity Café acoustic music night online. I’ll be introducing local and worldwide artists who will play 20-minute slots of music and songs every Thursday evening from 7pm till 9pm.

It has the same format as the “live in the cafe” version that takes place regularly in Inverness, but with each of the artists performing from the safety of their own homes.

For Thursday May 21, artists already booked so far include Kenny MacDonald, from Elgin, Graham Cairns, from Dunbar, Alice Brown, from the Black Isle, Siobhan Neylon, from Ireland, and Davy Cowan, from Invergordon.

All will beam in to be part of a great musical selection, and you can join us through my Facebook page or a watch party run from the Velocity Café Facebook page.

MacGregor’s Live at Five online virtual pub traditional music session continues with Bruce MacGregor and Anna Massie presenting a now daily, entertaining show with many interesting guests joining them.

Get into the gig by searching for #ScotlandsBigSession.

This

1pm,

Saturday, all those from who miss the afternoon sessions in Gunsmiths Bar in Inverness can log on to the bar’s Facebook page and get a wee reminder of the atmosphere.

All the regular Gunsmiths singers – Martin Bannon, Dave Levon, Brian Elrick, Jenna Ross, Andy Duncan, Colleen Murphy, Bedhead, Paddy Farrell and Miss Scarlet Diamonte – will be doing a set each, finishing up with the bar’s very own Miss Victoria Sandwich.

If you’ve never been to one of these sessions on a Saturday afternoon, but have been in town, you will definitely have heard them from the street.

Sounds like an absolute hoot. Moving on to news of other things taking place locally, Monstersfest is still on schedule for the Inverness Ironworks in November.

Rockers The Wildhearts headline on Friday November 13, while FM top the bill on Saturday November 14.

This will be the first time performing in the Scottish Highlands for both bands.

On the Friday, fans will also see

Norfolk’s Bad Touch, along with Chemia and Tomorrow Is Lost. Saturday’s line-up includes Marco Mendoza, and melodic rockers VEGA, among a range of other acts appearing over the weekend.

Tickets are available online from www.monsterfest.rocks or the Ironworks.

Don’t miss next week’s your life for columnist Marie Q’s take on the north-east music scene.

Enjoy Bruce MacGregor’s daily show