Indie band the Kaiser Chiefs are to be the headline act for Saturday night at this year’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, which takes place near Beauly from August 6-8.
This will be their first appearance at any Highland festival, and their only appearance at a Scottish festival this year, although they have previously played gigs in the north.
Just over 10 years ago, before they really hit the big time, they supported the Ordinary Boys at The Raigmore Motel in Inverness then hit the headlines in 2008 when they appeared at the Strathpeffer Pavilion for two nights, with tickets for the shows selling out in just 10 minutes.
“The Kaisers 2008 gig at Strathpeffer has gone down in Highland lore as one of those epic ‘I was there’ moments. Much to my disappointment, I wasn’t, so I’m really delighted to be able to bring the band back to the Highlands for their first ever festival here,” said Belladrum promoter, JoeGibbs.
The band, who had massive hits with songs such as Ruby, I Predict A Riot and Never Miss A Beat, already have a shared connection to “Bella” as last year’s headliner, Sir Tom Jones, is currently a coach on the popular TV show The Voice, as is Kaisers’ lead singer Ricky Wilson.
Wilson said: “This year is going to be another big year for the Kaiser Chiefs and we’re thrilled to be invited back to play in Scotland, a place where we have had so many special shows. Our last show in Scotland is going to be hard to top. But let’s all give it a go!”
Celebrated Scottish singer, Eddi Reader, will also star at this year’s festival along with rising indie band, Honeyblood; Scottish popstar KLOË; Manran; Highland favourites Scooty & The Skyhooks, plus Martin Stephenson & The Daintees; MacFloyd; Tantz; Torridon; Coco & The Butterfields; The New Madrids; Blackbeard’s Tea Party; Dizraeli & The Small Gods; Goat Roper Rodeo Band and Rusty Shackle.
The Proclaimers have already been announced as the headliner of the festival’s new third day main stage evening programme on the Thursday. The fancy dress theme for this year will be superheros.
