Photos + text by Mike Rushby Photography
Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has been a beacon of musical celebration since its inception in 2004. Fast forward to this year celebrating its 20th anniversary, and this beloved festival has grown to welcome over 20,000 enthusiastic attendees to its vibrant grounds. Featuring a staggering lineup of more than 100 artists across many stages and genres, Belladrum promises a rich tapestry of sound and culture. And it always delivers! Renowned for its warm, community-driven atmosphere, the festival not only offers unforgettable performances but also champions smaller artists and interest, solidifying its place as a cherished staple in Scotland’s summer calendar. Families are also well-catered for, with a plethora of activities for children, including interactive workshops, arts and crafts, storytelling sessions, and dedicated play areas, ensuring that festival-goers of all ages have a magical and memorable experience.
There were some big names amongst the artists on offer: James Arthur, Deacon Blue, the Sugababes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and many more. But enough has been said about those in their time, so here are 11 eclectic picks from the festival to show off some of the phenomenal talent that was on display.
Lucia and the Best Boys
Lucia Fairfull doesn’t stand on a stage; she dominates it. For Belladrum she did it in a striking tartan dress. That visual impact was mirrored sonically with the help of her Best Boys. Precise, ethereal vocals were delivered over heavy and stylish electro-rock backing. Their debut album, “Burning Castles,” released in 2023, received acclaim for its emotional depth and expansive sound, and they seem to be going from strength to strength; look out for a new track “Picking Petals” to be released soon. Delicious tracks, served up with extra punch.
Ben Ottewell
Known for his powerful voice, Ben Ottewell truly delivered in a solo performance – captivating and engaging with the packed audience for his entire set. Having made his first impact as part of Gomez, Ben’s solo career started in 2011. His set was a masterclass in intimate acoustic stylings, coupled with some personal storytelling. There’s a rawness to his earnest vocals and relatable lyrics, which combined with the intricacy of his guitar performance left a sense that he’d been riding right on the edge… and nailed it. First class.
Kirsten Adamson & the Tanagers
Kirsten Adamson has things she wants to say, and the voice she uses to do it is sublime. Her country stylings are emotive and personal, with a deftly crafted tone that you find yourself holding your breath to hear a phrase resolve. Her latest album “Landing Place” is full of heartfelt lyrics that speak of longing, loss, and introspection. At Belladrum there was some of that in her performance, but also a heady mix of finding joy and letting loose – the emotional range that Kirsten can command with her voice is unbelievable. The Tanagers rounded out the arrangements well, and added a playfulness to the set that had people packing in to the Trailer Trash stage. We were all treated to a stellar performance. For the remainder of 2024 Kirsten has headline shows, as well as touring in support of Horse in the UK – seeing her would be a highlight of your year.
Nathan Evans and the Saint Phnx Band
Nathan Evans (yes, of Wellerman fame) performs with infectious energy, and teaming up with the full throttle brothers from Saint Phnx fleshed out his arrangements without diluting that buzz. His most recent track “Heather on the Hill,” showcased his ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds, and was delivered with enthusiasm that was echoed (literally) by the crowd. Phenomenal live.
Shrew and the Loveland Frogmen
Tucked away, The Burke and Hair stage hosts a wide-ranging set of acts at Belladrum. One of the most charming of the weekend was Shrew and the Loveland Frogmen – a folk act who produced beautiful arrangements of songs that originally came from all manner of genres. The strength of vocals was mind-blowing, with some astounding close harmonies throughout. Here’s hoping some of their original material makes it out into the wild soon, because it’s sure to be spectacular.
Kate Rusby
Kate Rusby is a legend in the folk music scene, with an ability to compose original or interpret traditional songs and render them in a crystal clear, emotive voice. Her album “Hand me Down” shows she can also reinvent modern songs with the same care and excellence, which she demonstrated live with an arrangement of Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”. Swinging easily from this to a folk staple such as “Blooming Heather” (Wild Mountain Thyme) I saw more than one tear among the audience nearest me. But Kate made them laugh too, with her feisty and fun-filled stories between songs. You shouldn’t be surprised – because that’s the truest description of what she is. A storyteller. And the journeys she takes us on are worth it every time.
Ocean Colour Scene
It’s hard to know what to say about a band with as storied a past as Ocean Colour Scene; they’ve done it all. The thing that struck me, was the easy confidence that the aging members displayed from the moment they took the stage – they are proper old rockers. Since their formation in 1989 in Birmingham, England, Ocean Colour Scene were a stalwart of the Britpop movement. They belted out their hits with undeniable charm. Particularly noteworthy was the groove they nailed in “The Riverboat Song”. Don’t believe me? Check out their live album from 2022, or better yet get along and see them live. Undeniable.
Torridon
Torridon has been making waves in the folk rock scene for 20 years. All joy and energy, their fusion of rock and Scottish trad has seen them excite crowds all over Europe. They’re a live band through and through, and can fill out any size stage they find themselves on. At Belladrum that was rewarded with a main stage slot, and they didn’t disappoint – soaring vocals, accented with pipes and whistle, while being underpinned with a gravelly-toned guitar. The most smiley folk to get me jumping all weekend.
The Shires
Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes are a UK country duo with 10 years of history together. The Shires played a heart-warming set with a mix of up-tempo songs and emotional ballads. Despite being on the large Garden Stage they created an intimate atmosphere, leaning into vocal harmonious and piano and acoustic guitar played delicately for effect. Their songs are each beautiful renditions, with a back and forth that speaks mature writing – something that is borne out in their latest album released this year: “Undone Vol. 1” Mesmerising.
Forgetting the Future
Forgetting the Future are a four piece from Thurso, in the most northern reaches of Scotland. They gave a high octane performance that confirmed they deserved their main stage slot, and looked good doing it. Their energy carried right off stage and into the crowd, with an indie-rock sound that saturated ears and rib-cages alike from the first note. They won over those who hadn’t heard them before in short order. This is a band with promising future ahead, so don’t forget them.
PorkPie
PorkPie is the best kind of ska – upbeat, in your face, and with a killer horn section. They delivered on their homages to the classics of Madness and Bad Manners, but it was their own material from their 2023 album “Skandemic” that was most intriguing. With a rhythmic intensity and groove that the band clearly enjoyed. Pure fun, and not a bad cardio workout!
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