Scotland

If you were asked “What do you think of Scottish music” I would expect most to bring to mind one of a few instruments such as the bagpipes, fiddle, accordion and, maybe, a harp. Asked “What do you think about Scottish bands” I would would suspect that many would imagine a military band or maybe a “Ceilidh Band” or, in other words, a Scottish folk group. However Scotland has produced a wide variety of music other than traditional Scottish dance, Gaelic songs and the likes. Some of today’s most popular musicians have Scottish roots such as Franz Ferdinand, KT Tunstall, Belle & Sebastian, Travis, Idlewild, Snow Patrol, Texas, Biffy Clyro, Ladytron, Mull Historical Society, National Park, Solus, Del Amitri, Delgados, The Pastels and so many more with some of them listed below.

Here are a few more Scottish bands, solo artists, singer songwriters and other Scottish music/musicians. See how many you can recognize? Simple Minds, Edwyn Collins, David Byrne & Talking Heads, Fish, Associates & Billy Mackenzie, Eddi Reader, Donovan (Philips Leitch), Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Bill Wells Trio, BMX Bandits, Danny Wilson, Rezillos, Teenage Fanclub, Shop Assistants, The Thanes, Wet Wet Wet, ACDC, The Proclaimers, Aztec Camera, Love and Money, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Bay City Rollers, Soup Dragons, Arab strap, Big country, Skids, Cocteau twins, Eurythmics & Annie Lennox, Orange Juice, Del Amitri, Bis, Mogwai, Deacon Blue, the Exploited, Josef K, Nazareth, Boards of Canada, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Trash Can Sinatras, Beta Band, Vaselines, Momus, Average White Band, Weather Prophets, Incredible string band, Hue & Cry, Altered Images, Fire Engines, Aereogramme, Blue Nile, Biff Bang Pow and a great many more, not forgetting Lulu! A very noteworthy mention must be made of Ivor Cutler, if you haven’t heard of him go check him out as soon as you can for some of the most interesting Scottish music you are ever likely to hear.

Obviously the above list of Scottish music is only really what could be considered “pop” and it is nowhere near complete (maybe one day I will pop back and add some more Scottish bands). It’s really only a small taste of the music which Scotland has brought to the world and I haven’t even begun to list traditional bands like the Old Blind Dogs or artists such as Alyth McCormack, Peatbog Faeries, Shooglenifty etc.

Scottish Music festivals

Last year saw an enormous number of music festivals in Scotland, many focused on Scottish artists and regular festivals such as Celtic Connections and the Hebridean Celtic Festival appear to go from strength to strength. For more mainstream “pop” acts Rockness (which I shall be going to for the first time this year) is becoming incredibly popular but is unlikely to eclipse the immensely popular T in the Park. However, my favorite music festivals are the smaller ones which are, nearly always, very family friendly. The Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum is very family orientated and has a wonderful atmosphere but my favorite music festival in Scotland has to be the Wickerman Music Festival which I will be attending again this year. Wickerman has the most amazing variety of acts and the most friendly crowd, a true celebration of music and musicians from all walks of life and from all regions of the world.