One of the most popular bands on the roots music circuit, The Wilders from Kansas City, Missouri, return to the UK at the end of April to embark on their most extensive tour to date.

…And the schedule includes a string of dates in the Highlands and Islands where they have a huge following.

The band flies in as one of the main attractions at this year’s Shetland Folk Festival and after appearances there, will return to play Inverness, Forres, Gartly, Stornoway, Isle of Skye and Oban before heading south and on to dates in England, Ireland and Wales.

One of the most highly-charged ‘live’ acts on the Americana circuit, The Wilders return with a brand new album (their fifth) in what is set to become the band’s busiest year ever.

Following their first sensational sell-out run at The Famous Spiegeltent during Edinburgh Festival Fringe, they carried off a coveted Herald Angel (the equivalent of an Oscar) for their outstanding contribution to the event, and collected a clutch of five-star reviews.

That led to television and radio sessions and many main stage appearances at major European festivals. They were declared one of the outstanding highlights of the Hebridean Celtic Festival in 2009 and they rocked Speyfest last year. After a headline slot at the prestigious Bath International Music Festival, they were declared “an absolute triumph” and invited back in 2011.

Following a sell-out tour, Culture Northern Ireland summed it up with one word: “Incredible”.

Their last album, ‘Someone’s Got To Pay’, carried them to the finals of the annual Independent Music Awards in America, and went on to win the Alt-Country Album of The Year title.

The Sold Out signs went up when the band last toured here. The Scotsman told readers: “They generate the kind of tunes that should by rights leave vapour trails”.

Long ago established on the US festivals circuit as a “white-hot” act, the Stateside quotes tell the same tale.

“If this were old Salem, they’d be burned at the stake. They play like they’re possessed,” said one reviewer.

The band performed in front of an ecstatic 1000 revellers at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket during Celtic Connections Festival in January.

Highalnds & Islands Tour Dates:

Thurs April 28 to May 2: Shetland Folk Festival

Wed May 4: Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Thurs 5: Universal Hall, Forres

Fri 6: An Lanntair, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Sat 7: Aros Centre, Isle of Skye

Sun 8: Skipinnish Ceilidh House, Oban

Tues 10: The Tin Hut, Gartly

Source: Bloody Great PR