SKYE Live 2018 on September 21 and 22, sees the festival enter its fourth year, and organisers are looking to build upon a highly-praised 2017 return to its original home – The Lump in Portree – with special treats in store for the iconic surroundings.
Once again, the Friday will be firmly focused on DJs, with Saturday dedicated to the bands. Leading the way on the DJ front is one of the hottest names in electronic music, Denis Sulta. Hailing from Glasgow, he last appeared at the festival in 2016 before going on to claim the highest new entry in the acclaimed Resident Advisor Top 100 DJ poll later that year – he’s sure to get the party going!
Heading up the band side are Leeds-based electronic post-rock band Vessels, whose live shows are renowned for leaving audiences mesmerised and energised in equal measure. Making the short journey from the Isle of Eigg will be Pictish Trail, bringing his folk electronica to Skye for one of his incredible full live band shows. Scottish super group Session A9 have been described as “tighter than James Brown” and with a line-up packed full of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians, they know how to put on a show.
Fresh from soundtracking the Edinburgh Hogmanay Fireworks, and with a highly anticipated second album in the works, local favourites Niteworks will bring an exciting new live show to a special late-night slot at Skye Live 2018. They’ll be joined on the Main Stage by Kinnaris Quintet (see story left). Alongside them will be another all-female band, the Glasgow-based six-piece Heisk, who combine their roots in Scottish traditional music with punchy riffs and grooves to create a relentlessly energetic sound. Singer-songwriter Tamzene, the first signing to Belladrum’s new record label, rounds off the first announcement of live artists.
Rounding off the DJ side of things will be a carefully curated mix of some of the UK’s finest talent. From the melodic house sounds of Fort Romeau, to the kaleidoscopic sounds of Or:la, the eclectic selections of former Radio 1 DJ Moxie, to the soul-tinged party music of Dan Shake. From Edinburgh, after an incredible debut last year, Eclair Fifi returns to curate a selection of her favourite artists with DJs Saoirse and Big Miz joining a special live set from Afrodeutsche. Finally, capital record label Firecracker Recordings will be bringing their Mac-Talla Nan Creag project to life, with a special live/DJ hybrid set in the Apothecary Tower above Portree Bay. Conceived in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, Mac Talla Nan Creag is part heritage study, part whisky-sozzled travelogue, featuring the results of a road trip between Iron Age forts, ruined brochs and sites of ancient rock art.
Festival co-director Ali MacIssac said: “We’re beyond excited with this year’s line-up. There’s something for everyone, from the world-class trad musicians Session A9 to the amazing electronica of Vessels. Even if you don’t know any of the acts, we’ve made sure they’ll still get you dancing.
“This year we’ll also be looking to light up The Lump like never before, working with an amazing team of lightning engineers and projection specialist to create a visual spectacle for all to enjoy!
Tickets are available online at www.skyelive.co.uk
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