Local Heroes to Be Showcased at The Ironworks This Summer

Rock and Acoustic

MUSIC’S local heroes will be in the spotlight at The Ironworks this summer.

Over July and August, the Academy Street venue is hosting its Summer Showcase, a series of special concerts featuring some of the most exciting emerging talent in the Highlands and Islands.

Summer Showcase will run every Thursday night from 14th July to 25th August and will celebrate the quality and diversity of the current contemporary music scene across the region.

A wide range of genres is guaranteed across the seven week programme, from electro producers and heavy metal to singer-songwriters and the area’s latest indie contenders.

"We are delighted to be showcasing some of the very best acts propping out in the Highlands just now and this is a great opportunity for people to come and experience some incredible music being made in the area," Ironworks booking assistant Steve Robertson said.

Shaun Arnold, project director with HAIL (Highlands and Islands Labels), added that the north music industry association was also delighted to be supporting such a vibrant series of shows.

"Summer Showcase will provide emerging artists from throughout the area a fantastic opportunity to develop audience and the programme in general is an excellent advert for new Highlands and Islands music," he commented.

Ironworks Summer Showcase programme:

• 14th July — PAWS, Fallen Riot and Jam Reid.

Originally from Tain PAWS are now Glasgow based and recently performed at the Gonorth Festival, they will also perform at T in the Park on the T-Break stage and Wickerman Festival over the summer.

Fallen Riot are a passionate young band playing screamo metal and determined to give their audience the best live show they can.

Jam Reid is a determined singer/songwriter from Caithness and former North Highland College last year and was part of the Scottish Art Council’s Youth Music Initiative touring project earlier in the year.

• 21st July — Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders, Swamp Radio, The Ball Deep.

The Outsiders recently played RockNess and will perform at the Belladrum Festival (main stage), B-Fest and Wickerman Festival.

Swamp Radio are a highly energetic prog influenced band.

The Ball Deep have supported The View and are made up of former members of Lymerick Smith and Stetsonhead.

• 28th July — Ashley Mackay, Sara Bills & The Has Beens, Emily Louise Mackinnon, Megan Blyth.

A great bill of four of Inverness’s rising female singers.

• 4th August — Zombie Militia, Seed of Sorrow, Toby Michaels.

A night influenced by old school metal with performances from Bloodstock Battle of the Band winners Zombie Militia, fast rising Inverness metal act Seed of Sorrow and former Stolen Order frontman Toby Michaels.

• 11th August — Parmaviolets, Whisky River Band, Red Kites.

Parmaviolets feature former members of The Now, The Jyrojets and Steel Crows and are producing some of the freshest sounding music in the Highlands right now. Whisky River Band have been wowing crowds across the land with their folk rock sound and great live act. Red Kites are the new project from former member of The Soundtrack songwriter Moteh Parrott.

• 18th August 18th — Little Mill of Happiness, KOBI, Graham Brown.

Featuring members of Lowtide Revelry, Shutter and Lush Rollers, Little Mill of Happiness have some of the most talented musicians in the Inverness area.

KOBI recently reformed after a seven year hiatus, bringing with them a set of new musical.

Graham Brown is a gifted singer/songwriter and tipped as one to watch in the months to come.

• 25th August — The LED, Count Clockwork, Liam Macleod.

The LED have performed at the Belladrum and RockNess Festivals and have appeared on bills with acts such as Erol Alkan and Dot JR, blending electro and dubstep. Count Clockwork and Liam Macleod are part of the generation of electro influenced teenagers coming through the Inverness dance scene.