Skye’s the Limit

SUSAN SZYMBORSKI looks ahead to the award-winning Skye Music Festival

THERE USED to be a time when the big question for music fans in the Highlands was whether to make the arduous pilgrimage to T in the Park or not. In recent years, however, with an upsurge in new, Highland-based music events such as Belladrum and Loopallu on our doorsteps, the latest hot topic must surely be, “which festival do I choose?!”

In terms of line ups, The Skye Music Festival must surely be one of the frontrunners for 2007.

The festival kicks off on Friday afternoon (25 May) by showcasing some of Scotland’s most exciting new bands. Edinburgh 5-piece The Vivians will inject some posering punk at the Non Stop Stage, while Skye’s very own eccentrics, The Injuns, are sure to gain cult status when they grace the Main Stage with their eclectic Indie Pop.

Mylo (photo - www.mylo.tv)

Over on the It’s On Stage, Rock fans can catch Highland youngsters Uncle Rocket and Aberdeen’s hotly tipped purveyors of angular pop/punk, The Needles. And, if all this rock is a bit much, you can chill out with a pint listening to Glasgow blues outfit Fortunate Sons, who also play the It’s On Stage on Friday.

The Shipping Forecast Stage, which provides a platform for more traditional Scottish music, also boasts a fine line-up. Talented Gaelic singer Fiona Mackenzie will perform a set with her husband, Irish musician Brian Ó hEadhra, Breabach will impress with their Celtic arrangements and, at the end of the night, The Incredible Flying Band will lead the crowd into a good old fashioned ceilidh!

With an exciting line up, stunning views and a friendly atmosphere, the Skye Music Festival certainly seems to be one of the gems of the 2007 festival season

But if you prefer Scottish dance to Scottish dancing, never fear. Mylo makes a welcome return to his local festival and Calvin Harris, whose recent computer generated single ‘Acceptable In the Eighties’ made it into the top ten, will also get the audience moving.

As darkness descends around the festival site, the big boys will come out to play. 90’s Indie popsters Ash are sure to draw a crowd on the Main Stage, but the real Friday night swagger will come from established punk acts, Buzzcocks and Echo and The Bunnymen.

Saturday will also see a line-up of traditional acts on the Shipping Forecast Stage, including Burach, Avernish and renowned fiddle ensemble, Session A9. Demonstrating the best of folk from South of the boarder, Seth Lakeman will close this stage with harmonious guitar, violin and viola-based songs.

Similarly, a day of thumping beats on the Non Stop Stage supplied by dance acts such as Soma DJs and Edinburgh groove trio, Gecko 3, will be rounded off by the more downbeat country of Mark Olsen and Scottish legend John Martyn.

Buzzcocks (photo - www.buzzcocks.com)

Rock fans won’t be disappointed with Saturday’s line-up either. The It’s On Stage will feature the “rawk and synth” infused music of Glasgow’s Darkwater as well as the psycadelic “proper” rock of The Mitsubishis.

The Main Stage will also play host to an array of up and coming Scottish bands. You can find out if the hype is warranted for Glasgow’s media darlings, Union of Knives, and investigate the newest musical incarnation for ex-Beta Band members with The Aliens, as well as catching Stereoglo, The Low Miffs and We Are The Physics.

Closing the main stage on the final night of the 2007 festival are Dirty Pretty Things and Primal Scream. Fronted by ex-Libertines member, Carl Barat, Dirty Pretty Things should whip the crowd into a rock and roll frame of mind. With the audience suitably prepared, pioneering Scottish dance/rock outfit Primal Scream are sure to provide a stunning, fitting and hedonistic conclusion to the two days of musical mayhem.

But the diverse and impressive line-up is not the only pull for the Skye Music Festival.

Nestled between the dramatic peaks of the Cullins and the West Coast sea, the festival site at Ashaig Airstrip, near Broadford, is a spectacular place to roam about in. It also provides a great starting point to explore one of the most beautiful Scottish Islands, complete with distilleries, potteries, fresh seafood and fantastic views.

As festival director, John Gilbertson readily admits, “the location has a lot to do with the success of the festival – Skye is the dream marketing tool.”

Another reason for the ever increasing popularity of the event, must surely be the organisers’ commitment to giving its customers the best experience possible.

Session A9 (photo - Session A9)

The festival collected the award for the most “Fan-Friendly Festival” at the UK Festival Awards last year, a title voted by the festival-going public themselves. The festival was commended for “going the extra mile” by expanding the site perimeters to offer full camping and parking facilities, adding new stages, providing dedicated shuttle bus services and promoting a sense of community spirit amongst its visitors.

With an exciting line up, stunning views and a friendly atmosphere, the Skye Music Festival certainly seems to be one of the gems of the 2007 festival season.

But, despite its impressive credentials, the fact remains that this event will still be in direct competition with a glut of other, highly rated musical events.

John Martyn (photo - www.johnmartyn.com)

Is Gilbertson worried? Not a bit. In true fan-focused, music-loving style, he explains how he doesn’t mind that many of his headliners have been scheduled to play at the Ironworks, Inverness, on their way up to Skye, – “we look forward to having nicely warmed up acts!” – and regards that festival competition in general as a good thing for the Highlands, saying “It reinforces the strong sense of musical community that has been the lifeblood for this area for hundreds of years.”

And he’s right. If you can’t make it to Skye, don’t worry. There are still have a whole host of other exciting Highland festivals to choose from, many that are probably only a few hung-over miles away from your bed come Sunday. Dig out your wellies – the Highland music festival season is well underway!

© Susan Szymborski, 2007