Belladrum x BBC ALBA Talent Search FINALISTS!
We recently teamed up with BBC ALBA to search for the best of Scotland’s up-and-coming musical talent!
Celebrating 20 years of Belladrum – and its longstanding support of Scottish artists – the search brings the spirit of the much-loved family festival to life to find the best talent ‘homegrown in the Highlands – and Islands’, with the winner given the opportunity to open the main stage.
We’re super excited to share with you now our 5 finalists, with voting now open!!
You can cast your vote up until Friday 12th July at 5pm.
Good luck to all our finalists!
Scotstown Dance Band
An indie-ceilidh group from the Western Highlands. The group began releasing music in January of 2024, with their debut single 'Shawfield Greyhound Stadium' - an original composition about the now derelict dog racing track in Rutherglen. This was followed by 'Scottish Country Dancing', released on the 12th June, which was a tribute to the many nights the band have spent at dances held in their local halls.
The group fuse accordion-driven ceilidh and Scottish dance music, so much part of the furniture in their west Highland homeland, with indie and guitar band influences they love just as dearly.
You can listen to Scotstown Dance Band online, here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Pk0eOOXEgxWOmvrW97Bhx
HJEM
HJEM are dynamic four piece band born and raised Inverness, Scotland. The line-up consists of Jack Gunn, Daniel Gunn, Conner Black and Connor Meeks.
Daniel has been active in the music scene for years, as a solo artist and in his former band Purple Divide alongside drummer Connor. Daniel wanted to bring his music a new sound with a full piece band and since then has been writing songs himself, giving HJEM a very dynamic and wide range of songs in their catalogue.
You can expect music with a variety of genres which is primarily rock, blues, alternative with the occasional country and pop elements.
Listen, here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7bv6chIVvB7VuI1MRGCp3e?si=5fKq1lupT8C8q1NUQSFsHQ
El Sartel
Introducing El Sartel, a Scottish indie band from Skye and Lochalsh - formed in 2023.
Starting off as a duo, El Sartel is now comprised of five talented musicians, who have quickly gained recognition locally in their native island and surrounding areas for their unique blend of catchy indie-pop sounds with Scottish indie-rock influences.
The band's sound is characterised by infectious rhythms, catchy melodies, and introspective lyrics that touch on themes of love, identity and life experiences.
Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences, including Scottish alternative-rock music and indie-pop music, El Sartel have created a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Their debut EP, "No Explanation" was released at the end of 2023 with 5 songs that showcase the band's range and versatility. More recently, they released their latest single 'Deep Blue Eyes’ in which they collaborated with another emerging talent from Skye, Ali Macfarlane. (Who is also one of our other short listed artists!)
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/user/31sie5f6b52jx3ivquttblnxfiiy?si=c27b69b640dd4cf6
Cameron Ferguson Music
Cameron Ferguson is a songwriter from Tain in the North of Scotland. Cameron's music encapsulates a punchy guitar style, with dreamy open chords and hard-hitting lead, combined with bass that locks in with the solidity of the drums. With lush synth sounds and cutting vocals, Cameron presents a unique style which is showcased in all performances and releases.
Since late 2022 Cameron and his band made up of Cameron Hill on drums, Calum Duncan on Bass and Katie Lindsay on synth have been tearing into the Scottish music scene, having played at legendary venues such as 'King Tuts' . To close 2023, Cameron Ferguson supported rising Glasgow stars 'Declan Welsh and the Decadent West' following their sellout Barrowlands show.
Now in 2024, Cameron is writing his most engaging music to date and working closely with his band to deliver a wall of sound that will be hard to ignore.
Ali Macfarlane
Ali Macfarlane is a singer songwriter from the Isle of Skye, who has been playing guitar for a few years and singing for as long as she can remember. Ali plays gigs by herself around Skye, including an impressive slot at Skye Live this year, and around the pub scene in Glasgow.
Ali has a debut song out at the moment alongside El Sartel (Deep Blue Eyes) and is working on recording more of her own music this year. Expect a wide mix of sounds from country, pop, folk, rock and anything else Ali decides to try!
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7e5e9vKlB7HGQ85jtCsSl5