Rumer has it that village arts centre will host top singer's gig

SHE plays some of the most prestigious music venues in the world and her voice has mesmerised A-list celebrities such as Elton John and Burt Bacharach.

But Rumer, whose debut album Seasons of My Soul sold more than a million copies, has opted to follow appearances at Glastonbury and the Royal Albert Hall with a gig at a small village arts centre in the Scottish Highlands.

The 32-year-old singer drew the Birnam Arts Centre, by Dunkeld, out of a hat yesterday as part of a competition on her website aimed at playing smaller, "more intimate" venues.

The announcement has sparked a rush for tickets by fans

The venue chosen for Rumer's "Off the Beaten Track" show has a maximum capacity of 250, while Glastonbury festival attracts crowds of more than 177,000, and the Albert Hall more than 5,000.

Tickets are being sold only on Ticketmaster UK for 25 plus 4 booking fee - more than double the average ticket price of 12 at the Birnam venue.

The performance, on 29 August, has been welcomed in the small rural community, whose local arts centre's other events that month include circus skills for children and a community theatre production of the play The Cemetery Club.

Immediately preceding Rumer's show is a "Knead To Dough" bread-making workshop, while "willow weaving" and a Beatrix Potter exhibition where children can dress as Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Peter Rabbit and Jeremy Fisher, are also on the list.

Rumer said: "I am so excited to be performing in Dunkeld. I love Scotland, as the Scottish audiences are so warm and friendly, not to mention the peace and quiet.

"This gig is very special to me, as the venue was voted for by the fans themselves."

Brit Award nominee Rumer's visit to Perthshire comes after the singer-songwriter asked her Facebook followers to suggest an out-of-the-way and intimate location where she could play.

Having been a gig promoter for years before she was signed, the importance of a local, independent music scene remains a huge passion for the performer.

Her appeal for suggestions of intimate venues across the UK received 500 gig ideas submitted by fans.

Potential locations ranged from small pubs to community centres, schools, church halls and tiny theatres across the country.

A spokeswoman for Birnam Arts Centre said: "We've had lots of phone calls already and there's a lot of excitement.

"We are thrilled that out of all the 'Off the Beaten Track' venues, fans have chosen our little arts centre in Highland Perthshire to use as a Rumer gig."

Dave McGeachan, promoter at Glasgow-based DF Concerts, said: "Playing small venues is a good way for successful bands and singers to keep their feet on the ground.

"This is not a new trend, but a lot of people don't see it because when big acts play a small venue the tickets are always sold out quickly."