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Perth’s famous Southern Fried Festival returns at the end of this month, and it looks set to be one of the biggest and best festivals yet! You can still by tickets for the festival and for more information you can head over to our 'Whats On' page.
Now celebrating its tenth year, there are a host of big names heading to our city this month to create an amazing Americana atmosphere, filled with great music and delicious Southern Fried soul food!
This year, the festival kicks off with a celebration of the American music icon – Chuck Berry. The show is at Perth Concert Hall on Thursday 27th July, and it will be led by a man who really needs no introduction to the Southern Fried stage. Andy Fairweather Low returns to the city with his Hi Riders band to lead a cast of singers from home and abroad in celebrating the influential singer/songwriter’s glittering career.
Known as the guitarist’s guitarist, Andy Fairweather Low’s CV boasts some of the biggest names in music with whom he has worked closely with, including the likes of Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and many more! I am honoured to be asked back to the Southern Fried Festival – the best run festival I have been involved with. He’s a well-known face at the festival and he’s absolutely delighted to be a part of the launch show.
“I am honoured to be asked back to the Southern Fried Festival – the best run festival I have been involved with. Together with my own band the Hi Riders, who will be the house band, and with some great guests involved it’ll be a fantastic evening to honour Chuck.
“It’s beyond words to sum up the effect that Chuck Berry’s guitar playing and life had on me.”
Festival director Andy Shearer echoed Fairweather Low’s enthusiasm and is very happy with the line-up for the opening show.
“We’re really excited to open this year’s festival with this fantastic celebration of an American music icon – even more so since we’ve got a world-class musical director in Andy Fairweather Low and his 8-piece soul revue to anchor proceedings.
“We’re also really pleased with the quality and diversity of the featured artists who cover a lot of musical styles and will showcase the breadth and enduring appeal of Chuck Berry’s music and influence.”
There are events across a variety of different venues in the city centre over the course of the weekend, including smaller gigs, open mic sessions, a free outdoor stage and a daytime acoustic stage too. The music and atmosphere is fantastic, and so is the delicious Americana grub which will be readily available every day of the festival!
Closing Southern Fried for 2017 is a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. On Sunday 30th July, some of our country’s finest musicians including the likes of Justin Currie, Karine Polwart and James Grant will team up our Canadian friends for a specially created show to celebrate the historic connection between our two nations.
Special Canadian guests Cyndi Cain and Joey Landreth join a house band led by Southern Fried regular and musical director, Stuart Nisbet, to explore the influence Canadian artists have exerted over generations of writers and performers across the world. Nisbet is another familiar face at the festival and he’s delighted to be involved with the 2017 closing show at Perth Concert Hall.
“It’s always a real thrill helping to put on of these big Southern Fried specials together – this show features great singers and great songs again.
“When we started talking about the idea we were astonished at the richness of song writing talent in what we lazily call ‘Americana’. This show will be particularly interesting given the close Scottish connection to Canada and its spirit.”
Nick Lowe, Loudon Wainwright III and Beth Nielson Chapman also headline the tenth Southern Fried Festival. Lowe is the main attraction on Friday 28th July at Perth Concert Hall and will be joined on stage by Jim Lauderdale. Loudon Wainwright III and Beth Nielson Chapman are two US singer/songwriter’s in what will be a fantastic double bill on Saturday 29th July, also at the Concert Hall.
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For more information on how to purchase tickets, you can visit our 'Whats On' page or you can visit the Horsecross website.
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