Let’s get straight to the point. Here is our list of emerging and under the radar acts that we think you should catch a whiff of at Belladrum. We could make a never ending list for this year’s Bella, but we won’t. We genuinely believe your weekend will be better after this:
Anderson McGinty Webster Ward & Fisher
This Dundee rooted combo is going to be a real treat. The hugely talented and diverse quintet are a supergroup of sorts assembled from The Law, Luva Anna and The Lost Todorovs. Fans of The Band and CSN&Y should definitely put these guys on their watch list. Live highlight (Might As Well) Trust In Me is featured on our Belladrum MixTape.
Brown Bear & The Bandits
2012 has been a fantastic year for these guys already. They scooped the award for Best Acoustic Act at this year’s Scottish Alternative Music Awards, released their debut EP and we are told they delivered outstanding sets at T in The Park and Wickerman. Superb musicians who should deliver a rousing set at the goNORTH Seedlings Stage.
Cherri Fosphate
What have we not said about this Glasgow-based quartet? Purveyors of fine catchy high energy classic indie anthems. I don’t think we have said that before, so we are now. Watch these guys closely.
Chris Devotion & The Expectations
Rock ‘n’ Roll is alive and well and goes by the name of Chris Devotion & The Expectations. With sharp, clever lyrics wrapped in loud melodies with a nod to the likes of countless 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll bands fused with The Buzzcocks they are likely to deliver a rousing and stirring set.
Fatherson
We first met Ross from the band at goNORTH 2011 and last year at Belladrum where he recorded an early version of the Fatherson tune First Born. Such was the response to the video on goNORTH’s YouTube page that the band recorded a full version which became Radio 1 play-listed. Expect some of the most emotive, rousing and catchy as hell tunes you are likely to hear all weekend.
French Wives
Their debut album released earlier this year is simply one of the finest indie pop records of the year. They have been firm favourites on our podcast for a few years now and we pretty much guarantee that after seeing them live you’ll be off to buy the album to cure the infectious humming you are likely to be doing in the days and weeks after Bella!
Miss Irenie Rose
This talented young singer from the Isle of Lewis could easily be this year’s under the radar gem at Belladrum. Her compelling and beautiful songs will win over fans from Joni Mitchell to Rachel Sermanni.
Red Kites
Red Kites whose front-man Moteh Parrott hails from Inverness are a band on a winning streak right now following their wondrous sets at this year’s goNORTH and RockNess. Likely to create a euphoric and tight performance.
Team Kapowski
This Inverness 3 piece were allegedly raised on a diet of video games and Saturday morning television. Their quirky tongue-in-cheek rap, electro hooks and nuclear drums make them the perfect festival band. Beware of party poppers and other explosive stage props!
The Magnetic North
The side project of Erland Cooper of Erland and the Carnivals includes former Verve guitarist Simon Tong and folk pop singer songwriter Hannah Peel. Their album ‘Orkney: Symphony of the Magnetic North’ reflects Erland’s passion for his native home land of Orkney and has received glowing reviews. We think it’s an outstanding album to be listened to as a whole from start to finish, and then again.
Listen to some more emerging and under the radar acts on our Belladrum MixTape and check our previous Belladrum article for some more emerging acts to see at Belladrum.