Festival Review: Wide Days

Wide Days festival has an eclectic line-up, say Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon
By OLAF FURNISS AND DERICK MACKINNON
Published 7th Apr 2014, 01:00 BST

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Jellymans daughter. Picture: ContributedJellymans daughter. Picture: Contributed
Jellymans daughter. Picture: Contributed

Edinburgh duo The Jellyman’s Daughter – www.thejellymansdaughter.com – came to our attention two years ago when they presented us with an excellent collection of songs combining cello, acoustic guitars and male/female harmonies. We like them so much that we booked them to showcase at our Wide Days convention. An album is due soon, but in the meantime the track Carolina gives a taste of what is to come. Expect great things.

Gerry Loves Records is gearing up to host the latter leg of its Highlands & Islands tour, featuring Rick Redbeard (aka Rick Anthony of The Phantom Band), Adam Stafford and Yusuf Azak. The triple bill rolls into Inverness’s Madhatter on 8 April as part of a Netsounds Unsigned night, followed by a date at the Orkney Sailing Club and ending the week with two shows in the Shetlands. Visit gerrylovesrecords.com/shows/.

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Edinburgh venue The Electric Circus hosts the Big Day In festival later in the month (20 April) with a stellar line-up featuring Prides, Roman Nose, Indian Red Lopez, The Pictish Trail and Birdhead. Visit www.theelectriccircus.biz/live-music.

Aberdeen’s Big Beach Ball Festival returns for the third year on the city’s promenade and The Beach Ballroom venue on 4 May. The eclectic line up ranges from electronic acts Mylo and Optimo to live music from Admiral Fallow, Fatherson, Malcolm Middleton and track of the month providers Tuff Love. The local scene is representd by the excellent Little Kicks and Marionettes. Visit www.thebigbeachball.co.uk/.

Also taking place on 4 May is Stag & Dagger, spread over six venues around Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street. The line up includes the fantastic Honeyblood, Casual Sex and Model Aeroplanes. For details, visit www.staganddagger.co.uk/.

Young Highlanders Russian Ninjas have organised dates covering most of mainland Scotland this month, including shows in Stranraer and Oban, . Further details can be found online at www.facebook.com/RussianNinjas

•Details on the various Record Store Day happenings on 19 April are still a bit light, with the exception of Edinburgh shop Vox Box. It will host in-stores with Stanley Odd, Tuff Love, LAW, Book Group and The Pictish Trail.

And at a nearby venue from noon, author Simon Goddard is interviewed by Ian Rankin about his new book Simply Thrilled: The Preposterous Story of Postcard Records. In the Old Town, folk blues act King Elder follow up their album launch at the city’s Caves venue, with an acoustic appearance at Coda Music on the Mound. Check out www.recordstoreday.co.uk/events/2014/ for the latest news.l Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run Scotland’s only dedicated music business conference and showcase festival Wide Days. It takes place from 9-10 April at Edinburgh University’s Teviot Row House. Registration for the daytime event starts at £33. For more information and to find out how to get free tickets for the evening showcases on 10 April – featuring Tuff Love, LAW, The Jellyman’s Daughter, Model Aeroplanes, Birdhead, Angus Munro and German techno duo, Schwefelgelb – visit www.widedays.com.