Darvel Music Festival

Eddi Reader 1st May

Honey-voiced Eddi Reader has been around several blocks, musically speaking. A native of Glasgow, she has been well known and loved in Britain for years. This wonderful singer has wowed audiences since her early days with Fairground Attraction right up to the present day with her solo recordings Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns in 2003 and Peacetime in 2007. Eddi's new CD will be out to coincide with her Scottish tour and available to buy at her Darvel concert.

Eddi and her fantastic band will be supported by three of Scotland's hottest musical prospects namely; Roddy Hart, Esther O' Connor and Adriana.




The Hamish Stuart Band with Jim Mullen and Ruby Turner 2nd May

Since he first rocketed to fame in the 1970s as the falsetto voice and rhythm guitarist for Scotland's own Average White Band, Glasgow native Hamish Stuart has written for and performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Chaka Kahn, George Benson, Aretha Franklin and Paul McCartney are just a few of the artists who have relied upon Stuart's soulful vocal talent and musical versatility. Jim Mullen (guitar) has been a major figure on the European jazz scene for many years, perhaps best known for his long and fruitful association with the late Dick Morrissey in Morrissey/Mullen.

Ruby Turner is one of the UK's finest Soul Singers and has recently launched her long awaited CD, "Live at Ronnie Scott's". Ruby has also been invited to sing on releases by such musical icons as Bryan Ferry, UB40, Stevie Winwood, Jools Holland and Mick Jagger's solo album. Tracks by Ruby are featured on the last three "Jools Holland & Friends" Platinum-selling albums - "Nobody but you", "I'm Waiting" and "Count Me In". She is a regular guest on Jools Holland's Hootenanny (BBC). Ruby sings lead vocals on "The Informer", the title track of Jools Holland's latest album.

Hamish and Ruby will be on the same bill as the multi-talented Texan blues-soul guitarist and vocalist, Hamilton Loomis.




Martin Taylor's 'FRETERNITY' 3rd May

Described as "Europe's finest guitarist" by Jazz Times Magazine, the multi-award winning Dr Martin Taylor MBE (to give him his full title) has been at the top of the musical tree for many years. His inimitable style has gained him a well deserved reputation as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing; his approach is unique, his style dazzling, his technique formidable.

Martin's new group 'FRETERNITY', is a joyful collaboration with his long time friends and esteemed colleagues Mercury Prize nominee Guy Barker (trumpet) and David Newton (piano). This will be the first jazz group Martin has put together since the highly successful "Spirit of Django" and the new line-up will also introduce fast rising British jazz vocalist Alison Burns.

Freternity will be ably supported on the night by Rainy and the Dust plus Joni Keen and the Euan Stevenson Trio.




Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly with Blues n' Trouble and the Seventh Sons 7th May

Maggie Bell, Scotland's Queen of Soul and founder member of Stone the Crows, later had an incredibly successful career on both sides of the Atlantic and now back once again on the music scene after a twenty year sojourn.

Dave Kelly is London's slide king, having learned his trade in the backing bands of, and recording with, Son House, Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells to name but five blues legends. Dave has been a member of The Blues band for the past twenty eight years. Blues n' Trouble were formed in the early 80 's Constant personnel changes were to eventually lead to a permanent line-up, which encouraged the band to turn professional & saw the release of their debut album in 1985. During the next ten years Blues n' Trouble toured & performed with many blues greats including BB King, Robert Cray, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells.




Attic Lights 8th May

Attic Lights are an indie rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005 by Kevin Sherry (vocals, guitar), Colin McArdle (vocals, bass) and Jamie Houston (guitar, keyboard, vocals), and later joined by Tim Davidson (guitar, pedal steel) and Noel O'Donnell (drums, glockenspiel, vocals). The four-part harmonies in a number of their songs have led to frequent critical comparisons to Teenage Fanclub.

A series of independent releases and live performances, including a well-received appearance at the 2007 T in the Park festival, led to a bidding war between major labels. The band signed a five album deal with Island, and released their debut album, Friday Night Lights, in October 2008. The band recently had a massive hit with a re-working of the Minder TV theme, 'I Could Be So Good For You' and are currently finishing off their second studio album.

Attic Lights will be joined on stage by three excellent bands, Primary 5, Dropkick and the Parish Music Box from South-East England.




Gary Louris and Mark Olson (The Jayhawks) 9th May

Louris and Olson are the founding members and central song-writing team of the legendary Jayhawks from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and rock band. They released seven studio albums, including five on the American Recordings label. The duo has recently made a largely acoustic album entitled 'Ready for the Flood' and it has all original material and a fine vocal blend that makes you think of old-timey and bluegrass brother teams like The Monroes, The Delmores, and The Louvins. Add in some English folk finger picking influence by guys like Roy Harper and John Renbourn, stir in some current-day surrealist points of view a la Dylan, and you're on the way to where the album resides.

The fabulous Endrick Brothers, Eileen Rose and the Holy Wreck and Hey Negrita will be appearing on the same bill.




10th May! (SIMPLE MINDS, H20 AND OWEN PAUL)

If you like the Simple Minds and H20 then you will love Four Good Men. This 'Supergroup' of musicians have sold 25 million records between them and they perform a mix of classic and new material all of which will rouse the Darvel audience and bring the 'Homecoming' Festival to a fitting climax. Bass player Derek Forbes played on the classic hits of Simple Minds, Guitarist, Frank O'Hare had an illustrious career with Glasgow band H20, Drummer Smiley performed with Robbie Williams and Joe Strummer and Vocalist, Owen Paul is best known of his massive 1980's hit, 'You're My Favourite Waste of Time'.

Support will be provided by JJ Gilmour (ex - Silencers), the Garrett Wall Band and TV21.