Events

Meet the 2023 Acts at EDF

EDF 2023 was held at the end of July and was another year of fabulous musicians, hospitality, friendships, fun and the odd questionable dance move.
This year’s acts travelled via plane and ferry from all across the UK, some returners, some newcomers and some from right here in the Outer Hebrides, coming home to play to their fellow islanders.
During EDF weekend, we collated information on each of the acts, providing background and further info to the musical talents, hopefully making it easier for everyone to jump on Spotify and add them to their library.
Scroll below for information and how to find your favourite EDF Act.

Beinn Lee

Headlining Saturday Night EDF 2023, this band needed no introduction to everyone in Uist! Hailing from across different islands in Uist, Beinn Lee formed in 2013 and are rooted in the west coast style of traditional music. The collective inheritance of Gaelic song and west coast pipe music of Micheal Steele, Pàdruig Morrison, Mairi Therese Gilfedder, James Stewart, Anna Black, and Seoras Lewis provide a very strong Gaelic traditional backbone to their music. The band have played at festivals across Scotland and Europe and we were extra delighted to have them on home soil for EDF. Looking to catch them again? They are playing at Cowal Gathering at the end of August.

Click onto their website for more information on albums and upcoming gigs.

Bensider

“Bensider” is Graham Maciver, the bandname coming from the Village where Graham was brought up on the Isle of Lewis. Bensider music is original material and is influenced by many genres, probably best described as acoustic, swingy folk with a dark edge.

Find his Facebook here

Callum Beattie

Callum Beattie is a Scottish singer-songwriter signed to 3 Beat Records. He has released six singles, two EPs and in February 2023 released his second album, VANDALS that went straight to number one on the Scottish album charts.

Born in Edinburgh, Calum spent time living in London and Berlin before recently deciding to move back to Scotland. His music can be described as anthemic dreaminess as each song he creates carries romanticism and truth wherever they go

Cody Feechan

Cody Feechan is a singer and songwriter from Fife. She’s already had a busy summer gigging around Scotland and also has a new single out- “Home” Follow her on Facebook here

Chloe Matharu

Chloe Matharu is a Scottish Indian singer songwriter and harpist from the West Coast of Scotland. Many of her songs draw on her time as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world experienced at sea. She is one of six Scottish musicians to be selected for the WOMEX awarded Global Music Match 2022. Her award winning debut album, Small Voyages, was released in October 2022 and was selected for Celtic Music Radio’s Album of the Year and was included in the top 20 of the World Music Charts Europe.

Learn more about Chloe on her website here

Dylan MacPhee

Dylan MacPhee is definitely no stranger to a Uist gig… since he stays on Benbecula. We are lucky to regularly have him play across the islands at different hotels and bars. As well as playing on stage at EDF, he also had gigs in Creagorry.

Heron Valley

Hailing from across Scotland, including here in the Outer Hebrides, the five-piece group comprises, Abigail Pryde on Fiddle and Vocals, Keith Morrison on Keys, Nick Hamilton on Banjo and Guitar, Alastair Maclean on Bagpipes and Whistles, and Callum Cronin on Bass and Guitar. They have come a long way since forming in 2014 and have toured the USA!

Check out their website here

Katee Kross

Based in Glasgow, Scotland – Katee Kross is a talented singer songwriter whose music can be best described as a blend of Country and Americana. Growing up in a very musical family, Katee was introduced to a wide range of genres such as Folk, Country, Roots, Rock and Americana. Which now helps to flavour her original and standalone material Katee has been performing professionally since 2016 playing shows throughout the UK and Europe alongside her guitarist Ross Barron.

Check out her website here

Mairi McGillivray

Mairi McGillivray is a Gaelic singer from the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Mairi comes from a strong gaelic background and uses her heritage and musical influences to put her own style on songs, performing in gaelic and other traditional styles. Mairi graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2020 with a First Class Honours in Traditional Music. She also won a prestigious Danny Kyle Award in January 2021.

Check out her website here

Nati Dredd

Nati is a Scottish singer and songwriter who has rose to fame on her natidreddd TikTok channel. She has earned more than 1.8 million followers for her singing clips often featuring Celtic music with lyrics on-screen and featuring her signature greeting “hello, my wee darlings.

You can find Nati’s website here

Talisk

Talisk are a Scottish folk band composed of Mohsen Amini, Benedict Morris, and Graeme Armstrong. The band rose to prominence after winning the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards “Folk Band of the Year” category in 2017

Find out more about Talisk on their website here

The Tumbling Souls

The Tumbling Souls are a country music band from the Isle of Lewis, comprised of members of Face The West, Astrid and Ho Ro. Their sound is heavily influenced by the Country music and Bluegrass of America from the 50’s and 60’s with just more than a hint of Scottish Traditional music seeping in through the instrumentation of the band. The Tumbling Souls were formed in April 2017 and recorded their debut album on Stornoway’s Wee Studio Records, released 2018. 2023 sees the band recording and releasing their long awaited follow up.

Access their Facebook page here

Torridon

Torridon are a Scottish folk rock band from Ross-shire in 2005. The band have played throughout Europe and released their first album, Break The Chains, in 2019. The band includes co-founder Kenny Smith on vocals and guitar, Grant on bagpipes, Kenny Lyall on drums, Paul and Glyn on Guitar and Michael on Accordion.

Learn more here

Raintown

Raintown, duo Paul Bain and Claire McArthur from Glasgow, are known for shaking up the music scene with their explosive blend of Scottish rock and contemporary country. Boasting 16 awards and two critically acclaimed albums, with a new one on the way we can’t wait to see them live this afternoon.

Find out more about Raintown, music and upcoming gigs here

Rob Muir

Singer-songwriter originally from South Lanarkshire and now living in Skye, Rob’s combination of pop songs infused with blues and soul display his virtuosic guitar playing and create a sound completely original and unique. His first single- Someone New was realised in 2021.

Find his facebook page here

Rhuvaal

Rhuvaal are a young traditional band based in Argyll, Scotland. Originating in 2015, the band have grown and developed over the past 8 years and had an amazing year of festivals in 2022 including Tiree Music Festival & Cowal Highland Gathering. We can’t To see them kick off the Friday gigs.

Check out more dates and music from Rhuvaal here

The Ultimate Eagles

The Ultimate Eagles cast are definitive devotees to the music of The Eagles. Performing songs from every album and every era, delivering more than forty years of music. The band is comprised of International professionals who have spent their time performing alongside Queen, Paul Young, Roger Daltrey, Lulu, Cliff Richard, John Legend and Thunder.The Ultimate Eagles have performed to over 1,000,000 people worldwide,