Live events to support recovery of music industry planned for west coast
THREE live music gigs will be hosted on the west coast this November as part of an exciting initiative to support the recovery of Scotland’s live music industry.
Scotland on Tour will see the widely celebrated Opera Alba perform at Lochinver Village Hall on Tuesday November 22, while emotive alt-rock band Foreignfox and support act Sunstinger will take to the stage at Ullapool Village Hall on Friday November 25.
Foreignfox and Sunstinger will then play at Lochinver Village Hall on Saturday November 26.
Formed in 2004, Opera Alba aims to bring accessible opera of the highest quality to venues across Scotland. Each member of the group has extensive experience of performing on the operatic stage and on the concert platform, and does so in an entertaining and compelling manner. During performances, spectators can learn about the background of the characters depicted by Opera Alba, and the stories behind each song.
The group’s members, Catriona Clark, Christine Sjölander, Christian Schneeberger and Steven Faughey, perform some of opera’s best-known and well-loved songs, often accompanied by Derek Clark.
Baritone Steven Faughey said: “We can’t wait to perform in Lochinver thanks to Scotland on Tour. It’s a fantastic chance to bring opera to parts of Scotland that we might not normally have the chance to, and make opera accessible to everyone. We hope the audience will have as much fun as we do!”
Jonny Watt, Nick Hernandez, Lewis Hamilton and David McCulloch make up the Foreignfox four piece, producing music which is compelling, passionate and intense. Foreignfox performances are renowned for their raw and atmospheric emotion, as the band is unapologetic in its commentary on the hopes and fears of modern day living. Their tracks are anthemic and have real impact when performed live.
Fife-based alternative band Sunstinger are well known faces on their local music scene, growing in popularity thanks to their hardworking attitude and distinctive sound. Drawing similarities to the likes of Joy Division and The House of Love, the four piece takes influences from 80s alternative rock to create charismatic music which captures the talent of each member.
Lewis Hamilton of Foreignfox said: “Scotland on Tour is an amazing initiative that has given us the opportunity to get back on the road after a couple of tough years. We'll be travelling to new places we haven't been able to play before, and it is great to have Sunstinger with us at Lochinver and Ullapool. Ever since watching the Frightened Rabbit Highlands Tour documentary we've wanted to perform in more rural parts of the country, taking our music to brand new audiences.”
Scotland on Tour is taking place over a period of 12 months between April 2022 and 2023.
Helen Simpson, from the Lochinver Village Hall committee, said: "On behalf of Lochinver hall, I think I can speak for everyone when I say what an absolute joy it is to be able to help bring live music and touring bands back to Lochinver, and into the literal hub of our community that is Lochinver Village Hall. It's been a very long and painful absence which we've all felt keenly.”
Scotland on Tour supports the creation of hundreds of concerts and performances at much-loved arts centres, town halls and community venues across Scotland. More than 120 artists are set to perform at more than 100 venues across the country as part of the initiative.
The project, which has been created and managed by Active Events, was made possible by £750,000 of Scottish Government backing and focuses on increasing the number of opportunities to showcase and enjoy live music, while bringing exciting acts to the doorstep of city, towns, villages and rural communities.
The year-long Scotland on Tour bill includes both emerging and established artists with genre-spanning acts appearing across the breadth and width of the country, with rock, pop, jazz, classical, folk, trad and acoustic genres all being showcased.
Tickets for these and a raft of other shows are on sale now at www.scotlandontour.com.
