As part of Scotland on Tour, the exciting initiative to support the recovery of Scotland’s live music industry, the ever-popular Blue Rose Code will play Dumfries’ The Venue on Friday 9th September; the following weekend will welcome award winning, traditional folk group The Paul McKenna Band who will play on Friday 16th September, and the weekend after will see energetic trad band Heron Valley take to the stage on Friday 23rd September.
Firmly established as one of Scotland’s musicians to watch, Ross Wilson, aka Blue Rose Code, creates music which deals with universal themes in a deeply personal way. The outfit seamlessly blends folk, Americana, jazz and pop influences into something truly unique.
Originally from Edinburgh, Ross spent many years living in England but, upon returning to his native Scotland, he began to develop connections with other Scottish artists to produce the sounds he is now renowned for.
Ross Wilson of Blue Rose Code said: “It’s fantastic to have the chance to play live music again. It’s been a tough few years but this initiative is such a brilliant opportunity to get out on the road. Having released my fifth album in 2020 it will be so special to be able to perform it live in Dumfries this September!”
The Paul McKenna Band, made up of Paul McKenna (singer/songwriter), Robbie Greig (fiddle), Conal McDonagh (pipes/whistles), Conor Markey (banjo/bouzouki/guitars) and Ewan Baird (percussion), draws on its Scottish and Irish roots, with a dynamic and full-bodied catalogue of original and traditional material.
As rhythmic as they are melodic; rustic as they are beautiful, the tunes played by this band encompass all the very best aspects of traditional Scottish music.
Paul McKenna said: “We are so pleased to be taking part in Scotland on Tour, it’s an amazing initiative. As professional touring musicians, getting the chance to perform in a range of venues across the country is a fantastic opportunity. This has been a great year for us so far and we have a great line-up of gigs coming up; we are really looking forward to playing in Dumfries!”
Heron Valley’s music takes inspiration from the beautiful places they have visited as a band, as well as the people they have met. Using the fiddle, drums, banjo, guitar, bass, bagpipes, whistle and vocals, Heron Valley transports audiences to many iconic places, through melodies and lyrics, from the rugged islands of the Outer Hebrides, to the mystical hills of Argyll.
When listening to their songs, you can tell this six-piece are passionate about their own heritage. They truly showcase the beauty of Scotland’s culture, language and sounds in their work.
Abigail Pryde, on fiddle and vocals for the band, said: “We are all delighted to be a part of Scotland on Tour. The whole initiative provides Scottish musicians with incredible opportunities to play in a wide range of venues, and it feels great to be performing again. We can’t wait to play at The Venue; it is such a cool space and we’re looking forward to connecting with a new audience.”
Scotland on Tour will take place over a period of 12 months between April 2022 and 2023. Still to play at The Venue are The Langan Band on Friday 7th October, Elephant Sessions on Saturday 22nd October, Foreignfox on Friday 28th October and James Grant on Friday 25th November.
Cal Reid of LAB Grown Events, promoters at The Venue, said: “Blue Rose Code, The Paul McKenna Band and Heron Valley are some of the finest acts in the country, particularly in the trad scene, and to have them all down in Dumfries is a huge boon for the area. I’ve just watched Blue Rose Code wow the crowds at Making Waves Festival and Belladrum and am very excited for Dumfries to experience one of the county’s best kept secrets!”
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 will focus 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.
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