Tartan Heart 2008

[bunter]

Just back from working at the SFG gig @ barra's

80% of the crowd were 14/15 year old screaming girls (Bunter.. jailbait )

[thedementedpoppet]

Oh dear oh dear, there is not a lot of love out there at all for scouting for girls. Despite limited denials, this I feel is musical snobbery, this is a family festival, but heaven forbid if the headliner appeals to the younger audience. Last year saw big audiences for Sandi Thoms and Kate Nash in the small tents, which did lead to uncomfortable scenes (previously documented in earlier discussions), these could be seen as artists for younger folk. It makes sense that given their success that the main act be more kiddie orientated and that this should be put on the main stage.

I am not convinced that Belladrum is turning into a mini T in the park or that by naming one band that Bella will now fail and fall into the abyss. I think if you are going to a family orientated festival you really need to expect that some of the bands will not appeal to all and certainly not to the muso elitist out there. Scouting for Girls have been described as a guilty pleasure and for those that have open minds I certainly feel that they will contribute a positive dimension to the festival (even if it is to keep away all the grumpy nay sayers that are refusing to ever come to belladrum ever ever again because they dont like an act).

I dont think it is possible to convince those that are negative about the decision, but I guess I am in a position of thinking that it it makes sense and I am looking forward to it.

[Paul ™]

^^^ Are you Robert Hicks in disguise?

Going by comments on here, myspace and talking to various other people... you are the only person who thinks they are a good thing

[irons]

As I said it's a gamble, we'll see if it pays off.

Have to admit I'm liking that James Bond song thou.

[Paul ™]

dont tell me the other 20% was their dads/chaperones?

Anyway, lets not trust pauls judgement too much lads, they were probably 16/17 year olds...

Wid love to know what the 1 1/2 songs were you stayed for and was there any toe tapping/ swaying/jigging around being done by your good self??? hmmmm? was there?????

[thedementedpoppet]

^^^ Are you Robert Hicks in disguise?

Going by comments on here, myspace and talking to various other people... you are the only person who thinks they are a good thing

[/quote)

Is this the same bloke who attended an SFG gig tonight, has been checking out the SFG myspace and has been talking about them all day.

I think you protest too much

[irons]

Last year saw big audiences for Sandi Thoms and Kate Nash in the small tents, which did lead to uncomfortable scenes (previously documented in earlier discussions), these could be seen as artists for younger folk. It makes sense that given their success that the main act be more kiddie orientated and that this should be put on the main stage.

[Paul ™]

Is this the same bloke who attended an SFG gig tonight, has been checking out the SFG myspace and has been talking about them all day.

I think you protest too much

[Paul ™]

That's actualy a fair point. (Amy Macdonald could be included too). But the atmosphere has been so good at Bella recently why mess with it. Just a bit more thought to the line-up placing would cure it.

[irons]

Exactly, 2nd or 3rd top would have been a much more realistic billing, I really wonder what the line up will be like below them

[Paul ™]

I know and your probably 100% right. But SFG are realy big just now, so I'm gonna wait and see. Have to admit thou I'm not exactly brimming with confidence Paul.

Edited March 29, 2008 by Paul ™

[thedementedpoppet]

As I have already stated, I work for DF concerts and was working at the gig and have been on the Belladrum myspace not SFG

[irons]

Never stopped you last year at all the festivals we met at

[Paul ™]

more escuses, from your vitriol I I thought you would have refused to work on moral grounds

[irons]

more escuses, from your vitriol I I thought you would have refused to work on moral grounds

[Paul ™]

Don't suppose Paul has a choice of what gigs he works, he's telling the truth. I'm sure he wouldn't go to see SFG if he wasn't working for DFC.

[irons]

http://www.myspace.com/belladrumfestival

Few opinions on there today... and on the blog

[Paul ™]

ignore me was confusing SFG with that other pap group.. The Hoosiers

Edited March 29, 2008 by Paul ™

[irons]

ignore me was confusing SFG with that other pap group.. The Hoosiers

[Paul ™]

So the band you seen tonight weren't SFG? Can see how you would be confused mind you. Think SFG are a wee bit better than Hoosiers mind you, just.

[irons]

No.. it was SFG.. I deleted a post which refered to The Hoosiers

[Kowalski]

Article from the Press and Journal:

Belladrum organisers scout out London-based act to headline festival

THREE-PIECE WILL RETURN TO TWO-DAY EVENT TO PLAY MAIN STAGE IN AUGUST

POP group Scouting For Girls will headline this year’s Belladrum festival, the Press and Journal can reveal.

The three-piece, which has scored major hits with Elvis Ain’t Dead and She’s So Lovely, will play the main stage at the festival on Friday, August 8.

It will be the second time the London-based group will perform at the two-day Tartan Heart festival near Beauly, in Inverness-shire. They showcased their debut album as relative unknowns on a second stage last year.

Last night, festival founder Joe Gibbs, who runs the Belladrum Estate where it is held, promised a series of big-name announcements in the run-up to the event on August 8 and 9.

He said: “Belladrum 2008 promises to be the best yet. There are so many exciting developments in this our fifth year and once again we can’t wait to bring Scottish music lovers the very best acts along with lots of surprises.

“We are proud to be a truly independent festival, offering Scottish fans a fresh unique festival experience and always pursuing an eclectic and inspired music policy.

“We are really thrilled to have secured Scouting For Girls as our Friday Main Stage headliners, especially after their storming set last year as relative unknowns. The fact that Belladrum is their favourite festival is sure to make it even more special.”

Last year’s festival was headlined by Magic Numbers and James. Kate Nash, Amy MacDonald and Martha Wainwright were among those who also performed at the increasingly-popular event. Fondly referred to by some as a “Glastonbury of the North”, its organisers claim the festival has achieved cult status.

In addition to the main stage, a crowd expected to total 12,000 will be able to enjoy the cabaret, theatre and music at the Venus Flytrap Palais Stage, the best Americana, world and singer-songwriters on the Grassroots stage, and indie, alt-rock and trip hop music on the Hothouse stage.

The family friendly festival will also offer a range of children’s activities, including the annual Bella kids procession, alternative therapy zones, boutique cinema and puppetry.

Weekend tickets cost £80, plus booking fee, and they include free parking and camping. Day tickets cost £50 plus booking free and children under 12 get in free. For outlets, visit www.tartan heartfestival.co.uk

[Da_J_Doc-~]

My personal feeling is that i don't go to this festival for the headliners anyhow, i go with the kids and as such they won't stay for a full set anyway and we end up watching 4 songs before they get bored and want to wander about at night with glow sticks and see what strange goings on are happening in the smaller tents. SFG are well likedby my Mrs and my daughter so we will probably take in the end of there set for the ones we all know for a bit of a sing song.

I hope it doesn't preclude people from attending but i think it will have the opposite effect and drw out the families which is just as Bella seem to want it.

[johnnykipper]

I hope it doesn't preclude people from attending but i think it will have the opposite effect and drw out the families which is just as Bella seem to want it.

[Paul ™]

Although Belladrum is seen as a family festival unfortunately we live in a commercial world where at the end of the day the figures have to add up somehow, yes it probably will add a few more families but someone has to pay for all the free kids tickets somewhere along the line and families won't be spending too much time in the beer tent etc, the place where a large amount of the profits are surely made.