So any festival that features corgis is fine by me, but over and above that Ralph's Life favourites Stanley Odd and The Draymin are playing there too! The good news is it's one of their best line-ups ever, bad news is if you don't have a ticket it's SOLD OUT.....or even worse if you're me.....ye canny bastardin' make it this year!
So for everyone that is there, here's a bit of a swatch at (nearly) everyone that's playing over the weekend.....and for everyone that's not there.....here's what you're missin'.....
Scots indie stars Travis will headline Bella’s Garden Stage on Saturday 4th August 2012. Travis front man Fran Healy said;
‘Travis are super excited to be invited to play at Belladrum Festival. We are looking forward to our headlining slot this August, see you there!’
The Wombats
Liverpool popsters The Wombats headline Belladrum on Friday 3rd of August 2012. The Wombats come to the festival with a raft of hit tunes including ‘1996, ‘Techno Fan’; ’and on the back of barnstorming performance of RockNess 2011. Bella fans, are most definitely in for something special.www.thewombats.co.uk
Award winning queen of soul, Beverley Knight makes her debut at Belladrum playing hits for her platinum selling 15 year career and British soul classics from her latest album, ‘Soul UK’. Beverley will perform on Garden Stage on Saturday night.
‘Apparently Nothin’www.beverleyknight.com
Frightened Rabbit
Scots indie band Frightened Rabbit will be making an exclusive Scottish appearance at Bella this year. In doing so, the band are making good a promise to attend the festival after they had to cancel last year’s apperance due to US touring commitments.
Up tempo U.S songsmiths, We are Scientists revisit the Highlands after their performance at RockNess in 2011, ready to entertain the Bella crowds with hits such as ‘Great Escape’ and ‘I Don’t Bite’.
The South
Formerly known as ‘The Beautiful South’, comprising of two lead singers from the original band – Dave Hemingway and Ali Wheeler plus other original members, The South will delight the Bella crowds with sensational hits such as ‘Perfect 10’ and ‘Rotterdam’. As ‘The Beautiful South’, the band produced ten studio albums, five greatest hits compilations, 34 chart singles and 15 million record sales over 10 years. 
Buzzcocks
Legendary punk heroes Buzzcocks will headline Bella’s Hothouse stage on Friday night. With a string of hits such as ‘Ever Fallen in Love’ and ‘Harmony in My Head’ to their credit, the band are sure to have a wide appeal amongst the Highland crowds.
Vintage Trouble
After VT’s simply phenomenal performance at Bella 2011, we just had to invite them back. The US soul and rock band from Laurel Canyon, LA, Vintage Trouble will wow the audience for a second year running with their speakeasy style music.
Roddy Frame
Aztec Camera founder Roddy Frame willl headline Black Isle Brewery Grassroots Stage on Saturday, 4th of August. Inspired by David Bowie at the age of 16, and attention drawn from former BBC Radio DJ, John Peel, ‘Aztec Camera’ released hit singles such as ‘All I need is Everything’ and ‘Somewhere in my Heart’. Having worked with the likes of Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and Mick Jones of The Clash, we are absolutely thrilled to have Roddy at the festival this year.‘Somewhere in my Heart’
Willy Mason
New York singer-songwriter Willy Mason headlines Black Isle Brewery Grassroots stage on Friday night.
Juan Zelada
Singer songwriter from Madrid , Spain. Primarily a vocalist/pianist but he also accompanies himself with the acoustic guitar. After almost 8 years as a musician, Juan has recently signed a record deal and has Record of the Week on BBC Radio amongst other achievements. He is definitely not to be missed at Bella.
Lanterns on the Lake
Newcastle sextet ‘Lanterns on the Lake’ who combine beautiful folk melodies with light electronic instrumentation.
Fink
Fink are the crafters of beautiful folk rock; fronted by the incredibly talented, Fin Greenall who has produced with Amy Winehouse and Professor Green, found a techno label in Berlin.. and much more.
Ryan Keen
Hailing from South Devon, singer songwriter Ryan as played alongside a number of other artists who have played Bella including Lucy Rose, Newton Faulkner, Ben Howard and Ed Sheeran. His 2012 self released EP ‘Focus’ has been exceptionally well received, and we can’t wait to have him at the festival this year.
Slow Club
Slow Club are a 2 piece indie folk band from Sheffield. The duo comprises of Charles Watson (Vocals and Guitar) and Rebecca Taylor (Vocals, Guitar and Percussion).
Treacherous Orchestra
TO are a twelve strong testostrone fuelled, high octane, premier league cocktail of tunes. Hot melodies, chunky grooves, a mighty wall of acoustic driven sound that'll leave your chest bone throbbing, this band have the sonic ammunition to finish off any festival. You have been warned, miss them at your peril.
Nina Nesbitt
Edinburgh based singer/songwriter Nina Nesbitt will be making her debut at Bella this year. Having just returned from a European tour with Ed Sheeran, Bella HQ predict a very bright future for Nina. The singer/songwriter has recently released an EP titled ‘Apple Tree’ which is quickly becoming a YouTube sensation amongst her other cover songs.
Foy Vance
Returning to Bella is Northern Ireland’s incredible Foy Vance, who has been handpicked by Ed Sheeran to tour with him this year. Foy last played the festival in 2005, and we are delighted to have him back performing on Friday night on the Hothouse stage
Rae Morris
Rae Morris is a 19 year old musician from Blackpool. Learning piano at an early age and forever underestimating her ability, Rae recently found a voice she didn’t know she had. Make your own comparisons, but be sure to notice a girl of maturity beyond her years.
Karima Francis
Karima Francis is a singer songwriter from Blackpool, based in Manchester. Her sensational voice promises to bring out goosebumps at Bella this year.
Smoke Fairies
Smoke Fairies is a british blues and folk musical duo formed by Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies. In recent years, the duo have supported Laura Marling, Bryan Ferry, and more. Additionally, Fairies have performed at festivals across Europe, as well as sell out tours in the U.K.
Bwani Junction
Queensferry Quartet Bwani Junction are going places fast. Scottish Alternative Music Award winners, and recently awarded a grant from Creative Scotland that allowed them to record their first album with award winning producer Paul Savage. Not to mention that countless as festivals and gigs across the country under their belt; Bwani have been tipped by many music critiques to be the breakthrough band of 2012
Rachel Sermanni
Local favourite, Carrbridge based singer songwriter Rachel Sermanni returns to the festival after a triumphant appearance last year. We are delighted to have her back.
Bastille
Bastille are a South London based band comprising of four members and melodies that swoop and soar interchangeably between them onstage. Bastille will perform on Black Isle Grassroots Stage.
Torridon
Local band Torridon return to Bella to perform their fired up, foot stompin’ ceilidh set.
Macfloyd
Pink Floyd tribute band who will perform the whole of Dark Side of the Moon in all its glory.
Red Kites
Guildford based indie outfit Red Kites make fronted by local favourite, Moteh Parrot will make their festival debut at Bella’s Garden Stage on Saturday afternoon.
The Draymin
Ralph's Life favourites and winners of RockNess Sound City Unsigned 2011, 5 piece indie band make play Bella for the first time in 2012.
Whisky River Band
Local folk rock band that return to Bella after their fantastic performance at the Go North Seedlings Stage in 2011.
Stanley Odd
Stanley Odd is another Ralph's Life favourite who are an alternative hip-hop group based in Scotland combining instrumentation with samples and loops. Check them out, they're mental!
Sweet Billy Pilgrim
Sweet Billy Pilgrim is an English experiemental rock band, composed of bassist/banjo player Anthon Bishop, guitarist and singer Jana Carpenter and singer/guitarist Tim Elsenberg.
Rhythm N Reel
Highland based, local favourites, expect to hear the very best of celtic rock from this 8 piece.
Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders
Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders is a 4-piece Rock band hailing from Inverness. Built around the no nonsense song-writing style of singer/songwriter front man Mclaughlin, the band take their music to a stratospheric almost glacial new level that unashamedly combines layer upon layer of sound and catchy melodies with something darker, something dirtier. The Outsiders are hugely popular in the local music scene in Inverness, and we are delighted to have them back at Bella.
Jericho Hill
The music of Jonny Cash! One of the finest Jonny Cash tributes around.
Hoodja
Hootananny residents, regular ceilidh party hosts in the local area, will turn up the heat in our craic it open ceilidh on the Thursday night of the festival.
The Rogues
One of the best ceilidh bands around, award winning; ‘The Rogues’.
Feis Rois
Feis Rois return to the festival with their ceilidh super band extravaganza including fiddlers, guitarists, pipers, clarsach, flute and bodhran players, gaelic singers and more!
Bombskare
Scotland’s Ska Juggernaut band, Bombskare.
Grousebeater Sound System
Their sound brings together traditional and original tunes on fiddles, whistles and pipes with many contemporary styles of music, from 80’s electro hip hop to D ‘n’ B..
Dog is Dead
The young Nottingham five piece take big pop songs and wrap them up in the trappings of art-rock. They know their way round a tune, and they know just where to hang the right baubles to enhance it.
Ellen and the Escapades
Ellen and the Escapades is an acoustic/pop rock band from Leeds. In recent years, the band have a wealth of festivals and gigs under their belts, including appearances on BBC introducing stages. In 2010, they won the Q magazine emerging talent competition. The band also receive regular plays on BBC 6 and BBC Radio 2.
Magnetic North
Magnetic North are a collaboration comprising of 3 members; multi intstrumentalist Simon Tong, former of The Verve, Blur, The Good, the Bad 7 The Queen. Orcadian musician Gawain Erland Cooper and composer/orchestral arranger Hannah Peel. Their debut album was released May this year, ‘Orkney: Symphony of the Magnetic North’.
Bobok
Bobok are a new band based in Edinburgh. Founded by Doumnov Borthers (Russian ex-pats) and playing mostly original songs by composer Misha Doumnov, the band comprises vocals, accordion, violin, guitar, trumpet, trombone, bass and drums.
Mad Dog Mcrea
Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique a mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass, fairies, legless pirates and black flies, Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs.
Red Sky July
Red Sky July is an alt country trio consisting of husband wife Ally and Shelly, and singer Charity Hair. Red Sky July is an entirely original debut album from a group with a phenomenal pedigree; all of whom have been steeped in music for as long as they can remember.
James Mackenzie
2012 has been a massive year for singer songwriter James Mackenzie from Inverness. James’s mini album ‘Curtain Road’ has recently been released on iTunes and in HMV stores, produced by Grammy Award winning producer Steve Orchard (Travis, Chris Cornell, Bela Fleck) James will kick start the action at Bella’s Garden Stage on Friday.
Twitter
Niteworks
Niteworks, also known by the Scottish Gaelic ‘Obair Oidhche’, is an electronic celtic fusion band from the Isle of Skye. The band are known for writing new songs in Scottish Gaelic and melding the bagpipes and traditional gaelic song with techno and house beats.
Zombia Militia
An old school metal band from Inverness who are set to well and truly blow the roof off Bella’s Hothouse on Saturday afternoon.
Ballachulish Hellhounds
Based in Glasgow, originally from Highlands, Ballachulish Hellhounds are a Scottish country blues/bluegrass trio who return to Bella after their fantastic previous performances.
The Little Mill of Happiness
Formed outside the Market bar of Inverness, indie rock 6 piece LMOH make their return to Bella.
To Kill a King
To Kill a King – not to be confused with ‘To Kill the King’ a hardcore band from New Jersey – are a five piece specialising in folk inflected pop-rock. Many music critiques comment that the band recall the endearing folk melodies of Mumford and Sons whilst capturing the emotional resonance of Frightened Rabbit.
Fatherson
Fatherson are a three-piece Scottish band currently based in Glasgow but formed in the small town of Kilmarock. In recent years, they have supported acts such as Idlewild, Feeder and Twin Atlantic. In March, the band received an award at Scottish Music Alternative Awards.
Gerry Jablonski and the Electric Band
Scottish Rock/Blues band packing killer riffs and striking solos; Jablonski and co have crafted a rocking set up the pushes all the right buttons.
 |
| big up to Al (lucky git) Donnelly who's there and I'm no' |
Davy is a popular celtic rock musician and songwriter from Invergordon, who regularly plays locally and at festivals across the country.
Marc o ‘Reilly
Marc o Reilly is an Irish artist who’s sound rest between old American folk blues an d The Black Keys. Marc is gaining a reputation as spellbinding live performer with his husky vocals complimented by scintillating guitar playing.
Federation of the Disco Pimp
Providing unstoppable grooves since 2005, Federation of the Disco Pimp are Scotland’s premier exponent of modern funk, featuring seven of the finest musicians in the country. Combining elements of old school funk, disco, psychedelic and jass, this 7 piece are legendary for their endless energy and blistering live sets.
Make Sparks
Hailing from Dundee, brothers Craig (Guitar and Vocals) and Adam (Drums and Vocals) Parker and long time friend Bobby Garland (Bass & Vocals) make up hook laden indie rock-pop trio, Make Sparks.
Man like Me
Man Like Me are the Camden town duo Johnny Langer and Peter Duffy. Sharing a penchant for North London boozers and old skool garage, the carnivalesque kings have dominated discerning dancefloors from Dalston to LA over the past 2 years, proving again and again why they’re the ‘best damn live act in the UK’ as awarded by Loud & Quiet.
The Blackout
Welsh post hardcore rock pop bruisers, The Blackout formed in 2003 after some time backing Lostprophets on their tours. In May 2012, the band released their 4th album. The Blackout will close Hothouse Stage on Saturday, and quite frankly.. we think that they may well blow the roof right off the tent.
The Milk
Essex 4 piece ‘The Milk’ promise to bring the very best in Soul/Pop and Rock N Roll. If you enjoyed the likes of Vintage Trouble last year at Bella, you will definitely enjoy these guys.
Kobi
Kobi are alternative indie-rock band based in the Highlands; in hiatus since 2005; a newly energised Kobi remerged in summer 2011 with a fresh set of material and renewed vigour to perform together.
Willie Campbell & The Open Rotation
The Open Rotation are a country/folk/rock super group based in Isle of Lewis. 2nd July this year, the band released their 2nd album. Recently, BBC2 covered a documentary about Willie.
BandeMcokie
Scots Karaoke band BandeMcokie will enable a late night listeners in the Black Isle Grassroots Stage to enterain their fellow audience members with band karaoke. The late night slot on the same stage on the Saturday night will be filled by MacFloyd playing the whole of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’.
As this is the biggest ever blog I've knocked off at short notice I've been a bit naughty and raided everyone's Facebook pages for piccys without getting in touch.....if anyone would like me to remove change or credit please get in touch, but my eyes are bleeding at the mo.....and big love to Belladrum..... Ralph x
No comments:
Post a Comment