INVERNESS venues are preparing to host more than 50 local live music acts for the inaugural NC50 Music Fest on October 26-27 this week.
The event has been organised by local Hootananny bar manager, Steve Robertson, with the support of Inverness Pub Watch and Inverness BID.
The festival will showcase Highland musicians across 13 venues in Inverness in a series of free gigs, including sets from the likes of The Whiskys, Space Van, Dorec-a-Belle, Chancers, The Vandal, Sarah Gallagher, and Ashley and the Cosmonauts.
Robertson said: “Our Highland music scene has always been popular with locals and visitors alike, and we hope that by making the NC50 Music Fest free to the public, it will encourage more people to turn up and show their support.
“With gigs taking place in several popular venues across the city, featuring top acts from across the Highlands, our aim is to provide a platform for musicians and music fans to get back to what they love doing post-pandemic.
“Despite several years of doubt and uncertainty within our local business community, followed by the current financial crisis, the city of Inverness has shown that it can come together and build back stronger. Now it is time to do the same for our local musicians.”
The venues involved in the NC50 Music Fest 2022 will host up to four live performances during the two-day event on Wednesday and Thursday between 5pm and 2am. Those involved include Johnny Foxes, Gellions, Highlander, Hootananny, Market Bar, Jimmy Badgers, R&B’s, MacCallums, So*bar, Platform 8, Mad Hatters, Tooth & Claw, and Mercure Hotel.
Don Lawson, chairman of Inverness Pub Watch and owner of Johnny Foxes, said: “The NC50 Music Fest 2022 is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and show its support for our local musicians.
We have always had a strong relationship with our local artists and music has always played a lead role in shaping the culture of our city. It will be great to welcome back that joy and sense of community during this two-day musical extravaganza.”
For more information on the acts that will be performing across the two-day NC50 Music Fest 2022 and where to find them on the event, visit www.nc50musicfest.co.uk – or follow the festival on Facebook.
