Artists reveal songs relay

Carrying the torch for festival - pass it on 

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS 

With the start of London 2012 fast coming into the home stretch, the Hebridean Celtic Festival has launched its own version of the Olympic torch. 

Some of the leading performers at this year’s festival have begun their own relay event in the run up to HebCelt which runs from 11-14 July. 

The artists are using social media to highlight what they love about playing the island festival and then passing the ‘torch’ to others by choosing their favourite three songs by those bands or singers. 

The choices are bound to start a discussion among fans who will be encouraged to list their own favourite tracks via Twitter and Facebook with some of the choices being highlighted on the HebCelt website.  

Festival director Caroline Maclennan fired the starting gun on the idea by choosing her three favourite songs by Julie Fowlis who is performing her show Heisgeir at An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway on 14 July. 

Caroline has chosen Eilean Uibhist mo Rùin (with Dochas); Lon Dubh and Bothan Àirigh am Bràighe Riathreach (from Uam). 

She said: “In the Olympic year we thought we would do our own version of the torch relay leading up to the big event in July. 

“There is a real community spirit amongst the HebCelt artists. They know each other’s music well and link together in the best way to make the festival the most enjoyable experience possible. 

“It will be interesting to see whether Julie’s fans agree with my choices and if the favourite music of other artists chimes with that of our festival goers.” 

Julie, from North Uist, regards HebCelt as a “homecoming”. She said: “It is a festival that draws you home year after year. The festival always has an infectious mix of music and song; an informed line-up that includes both the finest of local tradition bearers and the hottest big tent crowd pullers. 

“And all as part of a beautiful Hebridean summer - what more could you ask for?” 

She has chosen three Runrig tracks - Sìol Ghoraidh, Hearts of Olden Glory and The Old Boys- all songs, she said, that speak very powerfully to her. 

Calum Macdonald, from Runrig, will now take up the ‘torch’ and give his thoughts on the festival and choose his favourite three songs by Skye band Niteworks. 

In the coming weeks Niteworks will continue the relay, choosing tracks by the Peatbog Faeries, who in turn will select three songs by The Waterboys who headline the event’s final day on 14 July.

Lews Castle, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XRWed 11th to Sat 14th July 2012 TICKETS on sale via their website HERE