Award-winning Lewis music festival HebCelt, set to take place from 17th – 20th July 2024 in the picturesque grounds of Lews Castle in Stornoway, has unveiled its star-studded full lineup for 2024.
Taking one of the event's coveted headline slots is legendary alternative rock act James, who will make their HebCelt debut as they perform in the Hebrides for the very first time this summer.
With 16 studio albums under their belt and 25 million album copies sold worldwide, this certified success story of the UK music scene celebrated 40 years in 2023. Their special performance at HebCelt will come hot on the heels of a 2024 summer UK arena tour.
One of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary bands Skipinnish are also set to headline this year’s festival, along with Scottish legends Del Amitri, who were previously announced as headliners. Celtic icons Skipinnish are celebrating 25 years at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene in 2024, having kicked off the year with a sold out Celtic Connections show in Glasgow.
Keen festival-goers from around the world, as well as local music lovers, flock to Stornoway each year to enjoy the celebration of music and culture, with early bird tickets for the 2024 edition selling out in a record time of three hours last summer. General weekend tickets are on sale now and are expected to head out the door in a similar fashion with the latest raft of names added to the lineup.
Esteemed multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie, acclaimed Scottish fusion band Gnoss, Irish and Scottish trio Alana, Aoife agus Caitlin, and Lewis singer Alice Macmillan also join the bill, along with Lewis talent Alasdair White and Keith Morrison.
Swedish banjo-punk trio Baskery are set to bring their playful sound to the festival, as well as Gaelic and Scots singer, BSL performer and fiddle player Evie Waddell, husband and wife fusion duo Ferris and Sylvester, and award-winning blues singer Elles Bailey.
Completing the lineup are traditional Québécois group Genticorum, along with local singer-songwriter Scott C. Park, and Hebridean fiddle trio Teud.
HebCelt Artist Programmer, Michelle Shields, said: "We’re beyond excited to share the full lineup for HebCelt 2024 – it’s shaping up to be one of the best festivals yet, with the team working hard behind the scenes to put together an incredible weekend of music and culture. We’re particularly excited to add some more extraordinary headliners to proceedings including the mighty James whose epic singalong hits will get a very warm welcome from the HebCelt crowd!
“As ever, we have sought to programme the festival in a way which caters to a whole range of musical tastes and helps create a warm, lively atmosphere that we think all ages will enjoy. Weekend tickets are available now but I would encourage people to be quick if they want to experience this amazing lineup in full. Information on day splits and individual day tickets will be available next month to allow people to plan their visit. We can’t wait to see everyone in Lewis this July!”
Bass guitarist and original member of James, Jim Glennie, said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be playing at this year's HebCelt Festival. What an amazing part of the world to be playing a gig! I'm a big fan of Lewis and very much looking forward to another visit.”
The new acts join legendary Scottish band Del Amitri, acclaimed Irish musician Sharon Shannon, and winners of the 2022 MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards Album of the Year Elephant Sessions on the bill. They will be joined by local electro-Celtic band Face The West, celebrated indie-soul outfit Brownbear, award-winning Scottish trad group Kinnaris Quintet and Isle of Skye electro-trad duo Valtos, who were all announced last November when weekend tickets went on sale.
Also previously announced are Gaelic singer Katie Macfarlane, up and coming Glasgow indie-rock duo Low Light Listening Lounge, Canadian traditional fiddle and step dance group The Lumber Jills, Dumfries-based band The Lucky Doves, and celebrated fusion group Mec Lir, along with up-and-coming Scottish duo The Laurettes, Manchester indie-folk group The Deep Blue, talented Gaelic group Sian, and The Willie Campbell Band, fronted by the esteemed Lewis singer-songwriter.