Millport country music festival returns this year and with a truly fabulous line-up! 37 artists will appear on five stages at this year’s festival, of which 11 will be from the US, 11 Scottish and the remainder from the rest of the UK and Ireland, representing a huge range of the country, Americana and roots genres. The focal point of the Saturday will be the Nashfield main stage which is headlined by the one and only Drake White and the Big Fire. However, there are some fantastic acts on stage in the Maverick acoustic tent. Sandy McLelland Millport have done a fantastic job of promoting the talented country artists that come from the home nations and Sandy McLelland is one of those. McLelland has a wealth of experience within the music industry having worked across numerous genres including pop, rock, film music and symphony orchestras. Although McLelland says it was all rewarding, going back to his routes it’s country and soul music that really captivates him. His latest single, ‘When The Hurt Is Done’ is a real gem in his repertoire. Jessie G Coming from a family of fishermen, Jessie G is used to working hard for what you want, but her life was changed after she entered a Battle of the Bands contest which she won. She went out on tour with country icon Gretchen Wilson who encouraged her to make the move to Nashville and now she is signed to her Redneck Records label. Robert Vincent With a new album coming at the beginning of September, we may hear some new music from Vincent! He was crowned 2021 UK Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Association UK and won 2021 UK Album of the Year as well. Since his debut album in 2013, the Liverpudlian has been one of the leading lights of the UK scene. Candi Carpenter Candi Carpenter made her UK debut last year at The British Country Music Festival where the audience found her humour and charisma endearing. She stayed behind for hours signing autographs and taking photographs with the crowd. She has famous fans such as Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile, the latter of which worked with Carpenter on her song ‘Dirt Around The Tree’. Chris Mossop Chris is about to become a father but as he prepares for parenthood, the Edinburgh native has chance to showcase his brand of acoustic country music as he kicks off the Maverick stage on Saturday afternoon! Again, it’s another example of the talented singer/songwriters that Scotland has and we’re really looking forward to hearing what Chris has to offer. Emma Moore Emma is one of my favourite UK singer/songwriters. Her brand of country music isn’t just honest and heartfelt but it also packs a punch and is so relatable. Her album ‘The Table’ was nominated for Album of the Year at the BCMA Awards, it is a fantastic record with some great lyrics throughout. Chase Stapleton Chase’s songs combine modern country with American roots music and a little southern California soul to create an engaging and thoroughly entertaining experience for his audiences. His performances combine the best of intimate acoustic moments with a genuine toe tapping party vibe. Arbor North This husband and wife duo based in Nashville Tennessee will capture the scottish hearts with their chemistry and harmonies. I remember seeing AC Jones in Scotland at a festival called Vamos and fell in love with her voice and songwriting but having teamed up with husband Michael Boris their is no limit to what they could do within the country music scene. They will be the talk of the festival I’m sure! Robyn Red Robyn Red is another homegrown talent set to grace the Millport stage. A successful cover artist, Robyn in the last few years, has begun to share her own songs to the praise and admiration of country fans across the UK. Her debut single, ‘Like A Bullet’ came out in June. Kezia Gill Kezia is one of my favourite UK Country artists. Known affectionately as the whiskey drinking woman, Kezia’s voice is perhaps the most powerful on the scene and her songwriting is compelling. Influenced and inspired by her father, a musician himself, Kezia was introduced to a wide range of artists and genres that has helped shape her unique style of country. Recently opening for The Shires, Kezia has impressed as she toured extensively across the UK. Kevin McGuire I first saw Kevin one year at C2C and was impressed by his stage presence. In fact, he is the full package – an entertainer, a songwriter and singer plus he too is from Scotland. Each time I have seen him since, he has gone from strength to strength and he is currently writing and releasing some of his best songs to date. Songbyrd Songbyrd is an Irish country trio that formed during the pandemic at the beginning of 2021. Kav, Michele and Glover have known each other for many years as friends but only ever worked together musically on a few occasions. But on those occasions the results were always explosive. During the pandemic, brought together by their love of country, Songbyrd was formed. Three very experienced stage performers and songwriters result in beautiful performances filled with pitch perfect harmonies and sophisticated story telling. Gary Quinn and friends Gary Quinn’s reputation proceeds him! A 7 time British Country Music Association Awards winner including most recently retaining ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ in 2021 with previous ‘UK Songwriter of the Year’ and consecutive ‘Song of the Year’ honours under his belt, Northern Irishman Gary Quinn has become one of UK Country music’s more established performers.
