March Into Pitlochry

The annual “March Into Pitlochry” Festival will be luring bands from all over the country to Highland Perthshire for a weekend full of the best in Scottish talent.

The March musical gathering will showcase the talents of more than twenty bands, with Edinburgh ska kings Bombskare and Glasgow Indie outfit Attic Lights topping the weekend bill.

Now in its third year, the voluntary group of organisers have pulled out all the stops to throw a festival that will have locals and visitors alike dancing into the wee sma' hours.   

Artists on the march to Perthshire hail from as far north as Stornoway to Dunbar in the south, and from Ayrshire to Buckie.

Stephen Carruthers, one of a six-strong team of volunteers who have put Pitlochry on the musical map, said: “Casting an eye over where the bands come from this year it seems as if we have looked at a map of Scotland and lured them from every point on the compass.

It is just a co-incidence but it underlines the array of talent Scotland nurtures and it’s not confined to the big cities."

Our name is out there on the circuit now and whether you’re a band or a member of the audience you know you’ll get a warm welcome and enjoy some fantastic music

We are delighted with the quality and range of acts and it’s great that the bands who have supported the festival over the past two years have been providing such positive feedback.

That has made it easier in terms of getting the weekend line-up together. Our name is out there on the circuit now and whether you’re a band or a member of the audience you know you’ll get a warm welcome and enjoy some fantastic music."

Nine-piece ska band Bombskare, past winners of Britain’s best part-time band title, will headline the Friday night.  Having featured at heaps of festivals, including Loopallu and Belladrum they were a popular choice amongst many of the locals, who had approached the organisers to ask if they could try to lure them into the town. Mission accomplished!

The Saturday headliners, Attic Lights, are working on their third album, with their debut on the Island label now 10 years old.

Stephen said: “They have supported the likes of Travis and the Fratellis and cite everyone from The Beach Boys to REM and The Lemonheads as influences. Mojo magazine memorably described their sound as ‘Irn Bru strength melodic sweetness.’”

GALLERY

One to look out for are Glasgow band Ashton Lane, a modern country acoustic line-up featuring husband and wife Esther and Tim O’Connor, along with her dad, Graeme Duffin, long-time guitarist with Wet Wet Wet.

Their album “Nashville Heart” attracted five star reviews and they have appeared at Country2 Country and were shortlisted at the British Country Music Awards.

“Among the other bands I’m looking forward to hearing again are Logan’s Close, a cross between The Monkeys and Beatles. They have a real sixties sound but it’s original stuff, not covers,” said Stephen.

Closer to home Perth outfit The Revivals will make the short trip up the A9 and another Fair City stalwart, singer Roberto Cassani, is handling a “Saturday Afternoon Acoustic” in his own inimitable style.

“Last year for first time we put on a Saturday acoustic afternoon which went down amazingly well,” added Stephen.

“So we have expanded on that at McKays Hotel and Roberto is the perfect compere. We have a few surprises lined-up.”

See www.marchintopitlochry.co.uk for full line-up and tickets details.