FIRST HEADLINERS FOR BELLADRUM 2025
We’re so excited to announce the first artists set to appear at Belladrum 2025, Scotland’s most loved family-friendly music festival.
Historically we always have a Scottish legend closing the event on Saturday, and 2025 will see one of Scotland’s most loved acts TEXAS. You asked, we listened, Texas were by FAR the most requested act in our post event survey from 2024, with requests for them being more than double the 2nd and 3rd requests…
The band, fronted by Sharleen Spiteri, will be making a very welcome return to Highland Festival having last appeared back in 2011. Texas have sold in excess of 40 million albums worldwide and have recently completed a critically acclaimed sold out arena tour of the UK (including 2 nights at Glasgow’s Hydro!!).
The band continue to resonate with fans across the world with their mesmerising live shows featuring classics including, ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’, ‘Say What You Want’, ‘’Summer Son’ & ‘Inner Smile’ along with their modern-day hits of ‘Mr Haze’ and ‘Keep on Talking’. We cannot wait to be in the fields singing these live, alongside all 25,000 of you!!
Headlining Thursday night is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters with over 15 million album sales with his bands The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, solo and in recent years with Jacqui Abbott, the one and only PAUL HEATON.
Heaton’s talent was recognised at the prestigious Ivor Awards in2022 where noted author/radio DJ Stuart Maconie presented him with a long overdue gong for ‘Outstanding Song Collection’.
His songwriting back catalogue includes many hits such as ‘Happy Hour’, ‘A Little Time’, ‘Perfect 10’ and ‘Rotterdam’. Sounds great, doesn’t it!?
Paul Heaton will perform with Scottish artist and special guest singer RIANNE DOWNEY.
Also appearing across the weekend is singer, rapper and musician EXAMPLE. Since achieving success in 2010 with his second studio album ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ Elliot Gleave, well-known as Example, has since achieved multiple UK number ones and sold out arena tours around the world.
He will be sure to bring the dance bangers from his prestigious career to Belladrum, such as ‘Changed The Way You Kiss Me’, ‘Kickstarts’ and ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’. What could be better than dancing the night away with your friends and family with these tunes in the background, in the heart of the Highlands!?
‘We are delighted to unveil or first batch of acts who set to join us for the biggest party in the Highlands next summer. Both Texas and Paul Heaton will be guaranteed to deliver some of the biggest singalong moments in Bella history, plus there are so many other incredible acts to check out across the weekend – and this is only the first announcement! We can’t wait to party at Bella with our wonderful Bella family.’ Dougie Brown - Festival Producer
Other acts announced include, Glasgow based folk-pop band and festival favourites TIDE LINES; indie-rock act THE PIGEON DETECTIVES; multi-award winning Scottish songwriter, folk-singer and storyteller KARINE POLWART; winners of the Scottish Music Awards ‘Barrowland Spotlight Award’ BELUGA LAGOON; pop-rock band known for their huge hit ‘Goodbye Mr A’ THE HOOSIERS; recently reformed alternative folk rock band KASSIDY; British electronic dub/reggae act DREADZONE; a group who are a longstanding part of the Bella family COLONEL MUSTARD & THE DIJON 5; an iconic artist THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARHTUR BROWNknown for their 1968 released no.1 hit ‘Fire’ and 80’s indie pop act who broke through with their international smash hit ‘Crash’ THE PRIMITIVES.
Highland folk rock act TORRIDON will also be joining the bill as will seven piece alt-rock band THE JOY HOTEL; three-time winner of the Young Blues Award Artist of the Year TOBY LEE; from Antwerp – three piece girl band BLUAI; a massive hit at last years’ festival and a band we had to have back PORK PIE; Scottish accordionist and singer on the rise CALUM MACPHAIL; highly acclaimed indie rock four piece OCTOBER DRIFT; up and coming all female band THE LAURETTES; Innes Strachan from Niteworks new project LUSA; one of BBC Introducing ‘ones to watch’ FINN FORSTER; electronic artist and producer FOURTH DAUGHTER; Highland Folk band HO-RO; CHRIS MANNINGS HIGHLAND SWING & SOUL BAND will be performing a special ‘at the movies set’; RHYTHMNREEL will return to their usual slot closing the Grassroots Tent on the Thursday night.
Final acts for this announcement are Americana artist and Texan THE LIBBY KOCH BAND; local upcoming singer-songwriter DYLAN JAMES TIERNEY; Perth-shire rock n roll band THE CARLOWAYS; Ness Factor 2023 winner Joanne Ross and her band JOHN B’S DAUGHTER; five piece local band fusing rock, metal, funk and everything in between THE IDIOTIX; and FEIS ROIS CEILIDH TRAIL.
TICKETS:
Our tickets for 2025 have been selling incredibly fast off the back of such an incredible 3 days in 2024. You can purchase them over on our website – for those looking to spread the cost you can make full use of our payment plan. We’ve even introduced a YOUTH ticket for Belladrum 2025!
https://tartanheartfestival.gigantic.com/belladrum-tickets