It’s long been said that Inverness is a musical city. With a host of live music venues, the city is home to a huge number of talented home-grown musicians, while it also regularly attracts a wide and varied number of visiting musicians and bands, all keen to make an impression on the music-mad Highlanders.
Over the next few days, whatever your favourite style of music is, you’ll find something to get you singing or dancing along as there’s a pretty eclectic mix of shows taking place highlighting everything from old Irish ballads and folk songs to classic rock ‘n’ roll and music to bang your head to.
The first of these features Highland band Skipinnish, who play two nights at Eden Court Theatre in the city from Friday April 6.
Having started last year with the release of their hit single, Alive, which they followed with the album, The Seventh Wave, the band then played a string of headline appearances at some of Britain’s biggest music festivals. They ended the year in grand style when they were given the honour of being given the headline act at the Inverness Hogmanay show where they went down a storm.
Their unique mix of traditional and contemporary music has firmly established them as one of the most popular live bands to be found in Scotland today and they are powering their way through their biggest year yet., bringing with them an ever-growing list of fans.
Having sold out their show last year at Eden Court, a show that earned them rave reviews and a standing ovation, their return to the venue this weekend is greatly anticipated as fans clamour to see the band that’s riding high on the crest of a wave. Their shows take place at 8pm on April 6 and 7. Contact: 01463 234234.
PIPING AND DRUMMING
Piping and Drumming within the cadet forces in the UK (Army, Air Training and Sea Cadets) has gone from strength to strength and there’s now around 300 musical cadets drawn from all three services.
During the Easter holidays, the Cadet Pipes and Drums have been meeting at Cameron Barracks in Inverness for their annual camp, during which they’ve been receiving tuition and gaining qualifications through the QA and Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB).
This course used to finish with two beatings to retreat in Dingwall and Inverness, but the cadets are now entering a new era of where they are taking their live performances to the stage and performing concerts featuring a mixture of traditional and contemporary pieces.
On Saturday, April 7 at the Ironworks in Inverness, the ACFA Cadet Force Pipe and Drums are in concert, starting at 1pm. The concert, entitled, The Battle’s O’er will commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I.
For tickets contact The Ironworks, Inverness on 0871 789 4173.
A TASTE OF IRELAND
Eden Court is the place to be on Sunday night if you’re a fan of Irish music.
Following the sudden death of founding member Barney McKenna in 2012 and John Sheahans’ decision to retire, it was agreed that as a touring band, The Dubliners, would come to an end.
In its place, came The Dublin Legends. Between them, Sean Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, Paul Watchorn and Gerry O’Connor, have more than 60 years experience of performing with The Dubliners.
The ‘lads’ enjoy touring and entertaining, often meeting old friends and fans from all over the globe, and continue to play all the classic songs and ballads known the world over such as Whiskey in The Jar, Dirty Old Town, The Wild Rover, Seven Drunken Nights, The Rare Auld Times, Finnegan’s Wake, Molly Malone, The Monto, Hand Me Down Me Bible, The Irish Rover, Black Velvet Band and many, many more.
Late last year the band decided it was time to go back to the studio and record a brand new CD which is now ready for release. The Dublin Sessions will feature 16 newly recorded tracks and includes some old favourites and classics the lads wanted to record such as, The Leaving of Liverpool, Schooldays Over, Pub with No Beer, Rambling Rover, Hand Me Down My Bible and some scorching tunes from Gerry O’Connor: Billy in The Low Ground / The Temperance Reel and. Of course, Seven Drunken Nights.
This year, the band celebrated the St. Patrick’s Day period with a 10 date tour of the UK which they are following with a tour of Scotland in April. Promising fans one hell of a party, the Seven Drunken Nights and More Tour is at Eden Court at 7.30pm on April 8. 014632 234234.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL REMEMBERED
Last but by no means least, is Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise, a show billed as, “the concert that should have happened,” but never did.
It will be rocking the rafters of the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen tonight before raising the roof at Eden Court on Wednesday, April 11.
Now in its ninth year, the show that’s jam-packed with hits from the 1950s and 60s, is back in an exciting new format with the music taking the leading role as it takes audiences on a mystery rock and roll-a ride through an era that changed the face of music.
A talented cast, backed by the Paradise Band, bring to life the spirit of the rock ‘n’ roll era, reminding the audience why the music has stood the test of time.
Among the rock ‘n’ roll legends the show pays tribute to are, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Big Bopper, Carl Perkins, Del Shannon, Eddie Cochran, the Everley Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Ricky Nelson, Duane Eddy, Bobby Vee, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee and the king himself – Elvis.
Spencer Jordan takes the dual roles of Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent; Pete Gill plays Jerry Lee Lewis and Rebel Dean plays Elvis and Eddie Cochran.
As the jukebox makes the music choices, no two performances will be the same. The show starts at 7.30pm. Contact: 01463 234234.