Latest news with #KyleFalconer
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Celebrities set to line up at football fundraiser in aid of Maggie's
Celebrities, musicians and ex-professional footballers will team up in aid of Maggie's Centre next weekend - in what promises to be a truly unique event held at Armadale's Volunteer Park. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The game is part of an effort to raise £50,000 for the vital cancer charity. Names from across football and music have pledged their support to the event that will see the stars descend on Armadale on Sunday, July 27. Musicians taking part include chart-topping acts and fan favourites such as The Darkness, The View, The Snuts, Ben Walker, Luke La Volpe, Dictator, Tenement TV and Sergeant. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also taking part are a host of ex-professional footballers, including Charlie Mulgrew and Premier League winner, and ex-Scotland captain Colin Hendry. All the action is set to kick off at 12.30pm, with a full afternoon of football featuring teams made up of well-known musicians, local heroes and ex-pros. One of the organisers Michael Ward said: 'We wanted to create something fun and unforgettable that brings people together for a brilliant cause. Whether you're on the pitch or in the stands, Rock the Crossbar promises an incredible atmosphere, big names, and a huge amount of heart – all in support of a charity that does amazing work for those affected by cancer.' Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins is one of those lining up at Armadale's Volunteer Park on Sunday, 27 July | Justin Hawkins Michael, who runs songwriting camps alongside The View frontman Kyle Falconer, said a friendship with Justin Hawkins of The Darkness saw the rock legend appear on their six-a-side team at a London competition earlier this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Michael explained: 'The thing with The Darkness is a personal friendship with me and Justin, he came to my and Kyle Falconer's songwriting camp in Alicante this year and we became really good pals, really quickly. 'The Darkness played in our La Sierra Casa team at celebrity soccer sixes in London in May and won it. We've entered the same team into this, so they are flying from a huge gig in Cornwall on the Saturday and then back there the next day.' Following the football, players and supporters will head to The Regal Theatre in Bathgate for an awards dinner and live jam session, featuring surprise performances, guest appearances and a celebration of what's sure to be a standout day for the community. The event aims to raise £50,000 in support of Maggie's Centre, a charity that offers free cancer support and care to individuals and families across the UK. Maggie's Edinburgh operates out of the Western General Hospital. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An emotional video posted on Instagram by Michael's brother and fellow organiser Jonathan Ward, explains why Maggie's was chosen as the charity that the teams will line-up in aid of. In it Morris Schumacher describes the support provided for his son Jay, and both Morris and his wife Claire, while he battled cancer. Jay sadly passed away in 2015. Their story is just one of many highlighted in the video. Members of the public are welcome to attend, cheer on their favourites, and soak in the atmosphere – with food, drink, and entertainment on offer throughout the day. A limited number of places are still available for those who'd like to play or enter a team. For team registration, or to get involved as a supporter or sponsor, contact Mike Ward at mike@ . You can also pick up tickets here.
Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
TRNSMT day three as festival fans from across world soak up Glasgow sunshine
Festival-goers and performers have praised TRNSMT 2025 as one of the best yet. Music fans from around the world hailed TRNSMT a success as they soaked up the sounds and sunshine. The hottest weekend of the year provided the perfect conditions for revellers who basked in record-breaking temperatures. Over the three days, temperatures peaked at 30C on Saturday. And the unusually hot weather continued into Sunday, bringing tens of thousands of music fans to Glasgow Green in time for performances by dozens of top name and up-and-coming acts. Many had come to see yesterday's headliners Snow Patrol close the weekender's main stage and penultimate act Gracie Abrams. A number of homegrown acts including Dictator, who played the BBC Introducing stage, and Kyle Falconer entertained music fans from around the world yesterday. Postal worker Jack Martin, 28, from Austin, Texas, said: 'We flew to Scotland to enjoy a holiday because my wife is from here and wanted to see family. 'We realised our trip to Glasgow coincided with TRNSMT and decided to buy tickets and it's been one of the highlights of the trip so far. 'My wife has been to TRNSMT twice before and she thinks this is the best one yet.' Shop worker Sarah Brown, 38, from Renfrew said: 'I've been to five TRNSMTs and this one beats all the others. Some of the festivals have had bigger or better headliners but for the fun atmosphere I don't think anything can beat this weekend. 'I've enjoyed all three days and knowing that one of my favourite bands, Snow Patrol, would finish things off is the icing on the cake. Temperatures touched 30C on Saturday, cooling to a mere 26C on Sunday. Taylor Dylan, 26 from Dundee, said: 'We came to our pal Nxdia play. It was a brilliant set on the King Tut's stage. 'I love TRNSMT but they need to do more as a Glasgow festival to promote local talent. We need to see more Scottish talent and more non-males playing the festival. It's a very male dominated line-up.' Emma Kooij, 22, from the Netherlands had flown to Glasgow to see Gracie Abrams for the 20th time this year. She said: 'I absolutely love her music and I couldn't pass up the chance to see her amongst other artists at TRNSMT. She never disappoints'. Mag, 47, travelled all the way from Osaka, Japan, to see Kyle Faulkner – making it her third visit to TRNSMT. 'I'm a huge fan of Scottish music - and this is the festival that really brings it to life,' she said. 'I never feel alone when I'm here because people are so friendly. I love coming over - I'll be back next year'. Scottish drag artist Lola Fierce, 30, from Paisley, flew in from Gran Canaria. They said: 'This is the second time I have played at the Hangout. I did it last year. It's a ball and I would definitely say this is the best gig I've ever done which is why I flew 2,500 miles to come back and do it again. 'You get more variety of acts and stalls each year and there is definitely something for everyone to come along and have a ball and have fun. Beatson volunteers, IT worker Kirsty and wife, salon owner Jennifer Storrie, both 44, from Glasgow, helped people out on the disabled platform during the sets by artists such as . 'We are helping people by running to get their drinks and food so people can enjoy the music. It seems a lot bigger this year and a lot better. There are a lot more places for people to chill out. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'I thought we were maybe too old but there is something for everybody ' 'My sister passed away last year with ovarian cancer and Kirsty's mum is going through ovarian cancer so we are giving back. Kirsty climbed the Kelpies and I did the Beatson bobble appeal because last year I was 10 years clear. 'This festival caters to everybody which is great.' Paul Mescal - whose sister Nell Mescal and girlfriend, Gracie Abrams both played the festival yesterday - was also spotted in the crowd. Nathan Evans and the Saint Phnx Band pulled a huge crowd on the main stage. The singer also revealed he will stage a concert at the Ovo Hydro on October 25. He said: 'To be able to announce that I'm playing the Hydro on stage at TRNSMT, in front of the fans who've helped make it happen, is the stuff that dreams are made of. 'Everything these days is about social media so there's something special about telling folk about it live during a show, especially in the beautiful sunshine.' Tom Walker brought Cammy Barnes onto the main stage to play bagpipes during his breakthrough single, Leave a Light On. Tom, 33, said: 'What an amazing crowd and awesome to finally take the main stage at TRNSMT. I brought Cammy Barnes on for the bagpipes on the last song Leave A Light On. 'He's a great artist and a great singer who slams it on the pipes. Bringing the pipes out in Scotland always gets everybody going and Cammy was having the best time of his life. 'The weather has been great and everybody has been really lovely. I love coming here.'
Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Singer of huge Scottish band draws crowd for solo TRNSMT show
Taking to the King Tut's stage, the 38-year-old Dundonian brought the best of his solo career and The View hits to an initially modest crowd which only got bigger as he ramped up the atmosphere. Opening up his set with the 2021 single Stress Ball, he was on top form vocally with his unmistakable tone. READ NEXT: I saw Jake Bugg at TRNSMT - he should have been on the Main Stage READ NEXT: Singer surprises with secret TRNSMT show - and Lewis Capaldi tribute was backstage (Image: Kyle Falconer played the TRNSMT King Tut's stage on Sunday, July 13 2025.) (Image: Kyle Falconer played the TRNSMT King Tut's stage on Sunday, July 13 2025.) The View banger Grace, quickly followed. Taking a minute to fix his guitar, he then admitted: 'This is my old View guitar, I only bring it out for special occasions, hence I need to tune it, man.' Face for the Radio then had the crowd singing in unison with the star, whose voice was packed with power for the rock ballad. His family was watching from the side of the stage when he dedicated Family Tree to them before he rounded off in style with Same Jeans.
The Herald Scotland
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
BBC Scotland cuts coverage of Edinburgh's festivals
It will be staging only five days of events with ticketed audiences after deciding to share space with the Pleasance Courtyard and the EICC. Stand-up comedian Mark Nelson will also be returning with a festivals highlights programme, Edinburgh Unlocked, for the BBC Scotland channel. Read more: More than 100 shows have recorded or broadcast live across at least two weeks by the BBC since it started running its own pop-up venue during the summer festivals in 2011. The line-up had gradually expanded to include programmes for the UK radio network, the BBC Scotland TV channel and Radio Scotland, the iPlayer and the BBC Sounds platform. BBC Scotland is based at Pacific Quay in Glasgow. (Image: Newsquest) The BBC's pop-up venue drew thousands of ticket-holders to the visitor attraction Dynamic Earth every day during the 2023 and 2024 festivals. Special guests included singer-songwriters Kyle Falconer, Richard Jobson and Tom Robinson, authors Denise Mina, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Andrew O'Hagan, actors Brian Cox, Jack Docherty and Miriam Margolyes, comics Connor Burns, Frank Skinner and Susie McCabe, and theatre-makers Cora Bissett, Kieran Hurley and Gary McNair. The BBC's pop-up venue was previously set up in the grounds of George Heriot's School, and at sites at Potterrow and High School Yards. Stars who appeared in shows included comics Paul Merton, Nicholas Parsons, Tim Vine, Lucy Porter, Susan Calman and Russell Kane, writers Jackie Kay, Louise Welsh, Stig Abell and Alexander McCall Smith, and singer-songwriters Edwyn Collins and Rachel Sermanni. The cuts in coverage of the Edinburgh festivals, which have emerged a few months into the tenure of new BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine. A spokesperson for the BBC said: "The BBC will return to the Edinburgh festivals with shows coming from the EICC and the Pleasance Courtyard between August 4 and 8. "Our coverage will include ticketed events for audiences to attend recordings and live broadcasts of BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 4 shows. "Edinburgh Unlocked presented by Mark Nelson will also return to the BBC Scotland channel, giving audiences a backstage pass to all the best of the Fringe and the wider festivals. "We will also continue to provide special reports from the Edinburgh festivals across news tv, radio and online throughout August. "Details of our programming line-up will be announced in due course.' The scaling back of Edinburgh's festivals coverage has emerged following a number of recent controversies over the BBC's output in Scotland. There was anger last year over a shake-up in Radio Scotland's music programming and its impact on long-running specialist shows on jazz, classical music and piping. The BBC also came came under fire when it announced that its hour-long news programme The Nine would be scrapped just five years after its launch on a new BBC Scotland channel and replaced with a new early evening show, The Seven, which was launched in January. However fresh controversy erupted in March when the BBC announced that it would be bringing the long-running drama series River City to an end, with the budget for the show redirected towards three dramas. More than 12,000 supporters have backed a petition to save the show, while a politicians joined cast and crew to stage a protest outside the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood. The BBC said the show, which has been on air since 2002 and is due to end in the autumn of 2026, was no longer offering "value for money." The BBC spokesperson added: "The BBC works within an increasingly competitive marketplace and tight budget constraints. "We have to make tough decisions to ensure we are delivering value for money which inevitably means evolving our offer accordingly whilst remaining committed to covering the Edinburgh festivals across all platforms."
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Heartland Festival 2025 given the go-ahead by Perth and Kinross Council
Skerryvore and Kyle Falconer are among the acts due to perform at next month's festival in Pitlochry The organiser of Pitlochry's Heartland Festival dreams of it growing to become a "mini Glastonbury for Scotland". Ticket sales for this year's festival are up 40 per cent on last year's which - while generating £1.8 million for the local economy - is expected to operate at a loss for the second year running. Organiser Graham Howie had not planned on running the festival for a second year - after losing so much last year - but agreed after festival-goers pleaded for the "best festival" to be repeated. The festival director made the revelation as he presented the public entertainment licensing application for Heartland Festival 2025 to Perth and Kinross Licensing Committee on Monday, May 12. It is due to take place at Pitlochry's Recreation Ground from June 28 to 29. Skerryvore, Kyle Falconer, Torridon and Nathan Evans and the St Phx Band are among the headline acts due to perform. Councillors unanimously granted a public entertainment licence for this year's festival. But Cllr Keith Allan challenged Mr Howie on running the festival at a financial loss. Mr Howie said: "In years to come, I think there's a capacity there to bring the event up to 10,000 but if you go over that, you start to lose the community feel. "If you get the ticket pricing right, there's no reason that the festival could be profitable. We have a little advertising this year. We haven't been able to get a sponsor so that's one of my key tasks for August onwards to try and find someone who will sponsor us, without us losing our integrity. It's a difficult call but I believe it's achievable. "The ticketing is a very difficult balance. I priced the early bird tickets too cheaply last year. They were £34 for the weekend so we sold a lot - but it's come back to bite me now because the demand was clearly there. I think if we had sold them at £45/50 - bearing in mind that was half the price - we would have sold the same amount. "I want to keep the prices low as it is a family event but it is a commercial event. If I don't make money then I can't invest in it and grow it." Presenting the application to councillors, Heartland Festival Ltd owner Mr Howie said "the response from the community and the public was absolutely overwhelming" following last year's inaugural event. He added: "One of the biggest compliments we got was that 'it didn't feel like a first-time event, it felt like an event that had been running for years and years'. "I wasn't actually planning to do a second festival because I lost so much money on the first one but that's my loss and my loss to take. "It became clear from the response on Facebook and with emails from people asking if we wanted to do this again. We actually put a post on Facebook asking that very question and - within 20 minutes - we had 300 replies saying 'please run the festival again - it's the best festival we ever went to'. "It will still make a small loss this year but nothing like the amount of money that was lost the previous year. I'd hope that for 2026 and 2027 we'll be into a small profit and then be able to grow it accordingly in conjunction with normal business practices." He cited a Scottish Government document which showed "a benefit of £1.8 million coming into the local economy this year". He added: "Ticket sales for 2025 are 40 per cent up on 2024. We're now expecting in the region of 5000 people on Saturday and nearer 7000 on Sunday so it's a huge improvement on the previous year and shows the popularity of the event. "Support from the community is even higher in numbers and stronger than it was the previous year and I'm very grateful to all the volunteers that help us put on the event." The family-friendly festival is free to children under the age of 13. Teenagers are admitted half-price. There is even a dedicated children's area. There is no camping on site but this year there will be shuttle buses running to four local campsites - Grandtully Station Campsite, Aberfeldy Caravan Park, Faskally Caravan Park and Blair Castle Caravan Park. In addition, there will be a link-up with FlixBus and Citylink which connect the Highland Perthshire village to Scotland's major cities. The festival will finish an hour earlier at 10pm - rather than 11pm - to "minimise disturbance" and allow revellers to leave by bus. The festival's exclusively all-Scottish line-up may however move towards being "predominantly Scottish". Mr Howie said: "I don't know for how long we can keep it exclusively Scottish acts because we're starting to run out already but it will always be a predominantly Scottish act festival." New and unknown acts can gain exposure on the Discovery Stage. Heartland Festival will then promote two of the best Discovery Stage acts to the Main Stage. This year sees last year's Discovery Stage acts David Delinquent and the IOUs as well as Copper Lungs take to the Main Stage. In terms of refreshments, organisers have teamed up with local brewers Wasted Degrees as well as local food vendors and a local gin company. Councillors were assured a "robust traffic management plan" would be in place and - while there will be some traffic restrictions in place to allow traffic to flow - there will be "no road closures". The application received just one objection. A neighbouring resident - who lives 25 metres from the venue - raised concern about noise and disturbance. An Environmental Health officer - who was on site throughout last year's event - said there were "no breaches" and the team received "no complaints". She added: "I spoke to a number of neighbours round about and I think most of them were at the festival." Appealing to councillors to grant the licence, Mr Howie said: "I could take this to Stirling or to Dunfermline but Pitlochry is my home. "And I hope - with the continued support from the council and volunteers - that we can continue this festival and we can grow it into my dream to be a mini Glastonbury of Scotland for future. "I have done everything I possibly can to minimise disturbance to the local community because I am part of that local community. "If you were going to design a park area to put a festival on, the Recreation Ground is the perfect location." The committee's convener, Highland Perthshire councillor Mike Williamson moved the application for approval. It was seconded by vice-convener Iain MacPherson and unanimously approved by the committee.
