Nina Nesbitt, Skerryvore and Lulu join Tide Lines for HebCelt's summer of fun 2025
Scott C Park is back with new music, Aurora marks ten years of Runaway, new film out tomorrow from King Creosote and DF Concerts and Events are recruiting now
All roads lead to HebCelt this summer with stars Lulu, Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Nina Nesbitt, Beluga Lagoon and The Tumbling Souls performing.
Scots pop icon Lulu, best known for her ten Top 10 singles including the chart-topping Relight My Fire with Take That, Eurovision-winning Boom Bang-A-Bang, James Bond theme The Man With The Golden Gun, and her iconic debut hit Shout - will take the main stage on Friday, July 18.
The Scots legend, who wowed crowds at Glastonbury last year and announced that this will be her final year of touring, shared her excitement at coming to HebCelt. She told fans: “I’m looking forward to visiting the Outer Hebrides and performing at HebCelt in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis - see you in July.”
Joining Lulu are festival favourites and Celtic rock superstars Skerryvore, who will celebrate their 20th anniversary as one of Scotland’s best loved exports by taking the crowd’s hand with a full-band performance on Saturday, July 19.
Known for electrifying audiences worldwide, Skerryvore promises to deliver a high-energy set filled with fan anthems and special guests. Accordionist and founding member Daniel Gillespie said: “This is a special year for the band as we celebrate 20 years of Skerryvore.
“To headline the Saturday night at HebCelt means the world to us as we remember playing McNeils Bar all those years ago and dreaming of playing the main stage of the festival. We can’t wait to see everyone on the island in July and have a very special show planned to celebrate 20 years.”
‘Mountain Music’ star Nina Nesbitt, who has racked up more than a billion streams on Spotify with her previous album ‘The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change’, and a string of hits including ‘The Best You Had’ and ‘Luv Me a Little’, will also make her HebCelt debut and said she was delighted to be performing back in Scotland.
Nina, who has been supporting Snow Patrol on their sold out UK and Ireland tour which ends in Belfast tonight, said: ”I’m looking forward to visiting HebCelt for the first time - it’s always a pleasure to play for a Scottish crowd.”
The fan-fuelled 2025 line-up also features headliners Tide Lines who will play to a 67,000 sell-out crowd ahead of the Scotland v Wales Six Nations rugby clash at Murrayfield next weekend, and Brit Award-winning Eddi Reader. Other must see performances revealed today includes Kassidy, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes, TRIP, Astro Bloc, Isla Scott, Laura Silverstone, Cassie and Maggie, Alasdair White & Keith Morrison, Ciorstaidh Beaton, Iona Mairead, and Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich.
They join previously announced Beluga Lagoon, Lauren Collier, LUSA, El Sartel, Samba Sene & Diwan, The Tumbling Souls, Josie Duncan, Madison Violet, Elias Alexander, Cala, Trail West, Ruairidh Gray, Malin Lewis Trio, internet sensation NATI. and Gaelic TV icon Donnie Dòtaman.
A record 70% of those acts performing at HebCelt this year are female led or have female members, affirming the festival’s long standing pledge to Keychange, the international campaign to address gender inequality in the music industry. HebCelt Festival has proudly ensured it has had at least 50:50 gender balance every year since 2014.
HebCelt’s Artist Programmer and Director Michelle Shields highlighted the diversity and richness of this year’s line-up, saying: “This year’s festival truly celebrates music across generations, from trailblazers like Lulu and Eddi Reader to the next generation of stars including NATI., Josie Duncan, and Lauren Collier.
“Our Celtic roots are proudly represented with Skerryvore marking their 20th year and consistently one of our most requested acts by fans, Highland heroes Tide Lines, and festival favourites like Trail West, Cala, and The Tumbling Souls. We’re also thrilled to spotlight talents like LUSA and Elias Alexander, alongside live sensations Beluga Lagoon, Tom McGuire & the Brassholes and Kassidy.
“There’s truly something for everyone at HebCelt, including cult Gaelic star Donnie Dòtaman who lit up so many childhood’s, and the talented young musicians from Fèis who once again are opening the Island Stage on Saturday afternoon.”
She added: “This year’s festival also has the strongest line-up of female performers any of us can remember, from our headliners Lulu, Nina and Eddi to the likes of Madison Violet who have just announced this will be one of their last shows, plus new and exciting talent such as Laura Silverstone, Iona Mairead, Ciorstaidh Beaton and Isla Scott.
“We simply can’t wait to welcome music lovers of all tastes to what promises to be one of the most eclectic, vibrant, and memorable festivals yet.”
This year’s festival will also feature a special celebration of An Lanntair, the renowned arts centre in Stornoway, as it marks 40 years as a cultural beacon for the islands. Details to be revealed next month will include unique one-off performances and collaborations, live band ceilidhs, and return of the beloved late-night festival club.
Since 1996, HebCelt has been a cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural calendar, attracting music lovers from around the globe to the stunning setting of the Outer Hebrides. It is on course to have helped generate more than £40m for the local economy by the time it marks its 30th anniversary edition in 2027.
Creative Scotland highlighted its importance by endorsing the festival earlier this month and securing its long term planning with a three year funding package. Sponsorship opportunities for businesses to partner the festival, including three year deals, are now available.
This year's festival will take place from July 16 –19 in and around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, combining world-class performances with the rich cultural heritage of the islands, and one of the most anticipated events of the UK’s festival season.
🎪 Later this summer Lochaber Live returns with Manran and The Peatbog Faeries among the names so far confirmed. (Lochaber Live)
MUSIC
🎵 Scott C Park has a new single out today called Under the Water. (thecstandsforcaravan)
🎵 Sweet Illusions is the debut album coming on 28 March from actor and director Peter Capaldi, who also plays this year’s Belladrum Festival. He talks about his return to music in this article by Pauline McLean on the BBC Scotland News website.
🎵 If you missed it, this piece for The Skinny by Nadia Younes examines The Curious Case of Gerry Cinnamon ahead of his second album The Bonny out on 10 April.
🎵 A fabulous reception for Constant Follower’s ‘The Smile You Send Out Returns To You’ album launch at Cottiers in Glasgow last night. Podcast.
Remember The MacDonald Brothers from X Factor. Well they are playing in Greenock this coming month. (Greenock Telegraph)
🎥 Dreel Halls in Anstruther is the place to be tomorrow for the first showing of KIng Creosote’s film Any Port In A Storm plus Q&A. (King Creosote)
🗞 NEWS
🎵 Congratulations to Jude Anderson recently named as the new CEO of Live Music Now Scotland. LMNS.
🎵 A wonderful read here by journalist Paul English behind the scenes of the enduring Wild Rose which is now Scotland’s newest musical. (The National)
🇳🇴 NORWAY
🎥 Aurora premiered a short film to mark ten years since the release of her mega hit Runaway last night. And who knew the director was Scottish? (YouTube)
🇳🇴 Must save dates in the Norwegian music calendar include 4 March which has been pencilled in for nominations being announced in Oslo for this year’s Spellemann prize, with the prestigeous awards night on 24 April. Spellemann.
🇳🇴 Norwegian-Irish combo Secret Garden will release a 30th anniversary edition of their debut album ‘Songs From A Secret Garden’ include a reworking of single ‘Nocturne’ which secured Norway a Eurovision win in 1995. That Eric Alper.
🇳🇴 Sigrid’s Instagram account has surpassed half a million followers with news of fresh music and tour dates expected to drop soon.
🤝 OPPORTUNITIES
🤝 Some good tips shared at Saturday’s Off The Record panel event for 16 - 25 year olds including the importance of networking, learning by doing and a plea by BBC Introducing only to share music via their uploader.
🤝 Today is the last day for WOMAX 25 proposals. (Hands Up For Trad)
✅ VACANCIES
✅ DF Concerts and Events are currently recruiting for a Senior Marketing Executive (Live Nation)