Musicians set to transmit Bowie tribute into space
● Band filmed video at site of proposed Scottish spaceport in Argyll
Scottish musicians are to send their version of the David Bowie classic ‘Space Oddidity” to the International Space Station – from the site of a proposed spacesport.
The Slainte Davaar Allstars performed the late singer’s 1969 hit at Machrihanish Airbase, near Campbeltown, in tribute to astronaut Chris Hadfield’s own famous cover version.
They band worked with the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival and the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company to record the track and make the video after the enforced cancellation of the annual event they perform at in Campbeltown.
The band’s version will be beamed into the space station this Saturday evening when it is unveiled on the festival’s Facebook page.
Events manager Iain Johnston said: “The festival has encouraged people to visit Kintyre from all parts of the globe since its inception 28 years ago and we were naturally disappointed, like every other event organiser up and down the country, to have to cancel this year.
“However, what better way to turn it into a positive than to take our music interstellar.
“We hope the astronauts enjoy their Scottish welcome just as much as we enjoyed making it.
“As far as stage backdrops go, it might not be quite as impressive as Chris Hadfield’s, but it’s still pretty unique.”
Band member stephen johnson said :“As one of the most remote community in the UK during a pandemic, the song’s themes of isolation and helplessness seem really relevant but we hope that our version puts a smile on people’s faces and raises awareness of the festival and this beautiful part of Scotland.”
The music festival is also staging five virtual concerts in the wake of the cancellation of this year’s event.
It is hoped the Space Oddity cover will raised awareness of a new campaign to raise awareness of the new “Kintyre66” project, created to showcase the Kintyre peninsula as a holiday destination.
Set to officially launch in January, the circular route will take in 66 miles around on the A83 and B834, including Southend and Machrihanish, Campbeltown, East Kintyre including Carradale, West Kintyre, Gigha and Tarbert, and will be promoted via downloadable visitor guide.