Scottish music top ten(ish!)

Winnie · July 2016

I still smile when I hear Danny Wilson's 'Mary's Prayer' - it is occasionally played on the radio and I'm reminded of my youth! Deacon Blue, Hue & Cry and Texas - I saw them all live at the Caird Hall in Dundee

J.Mo · July 2016

You simply cannot discuss Scottish music without mentioning the fantastic Glasgow based indie label Postcard Records. Postcard created pop magic in the early 80's with bands like Orange Juice and the wonderful Aztec Camera - and although they're not Scottish (from Brisbane actually) the Go Betweens must also get a mention as they were also signed to Postcard and based themselves here in those days. It also wouldn't be right not to mention the late great Billy McKenzie and The Associates, The Bluebells, Strawberry Switchblade, Cocteau Twins, Teenage Fanclub, The View, The Delgados, and Camera Obscura.

gillcmcc · July 2016

James Yorkston another #Fife gem

Leodhasach · July 2016

JenniferM said:

You simply cannot discuss Scottish music without mentioning the fantastic Glasgow based indie label Postcard Records. Postcard created pop magic in the early 80's with bands like Orange Juice ..... Cocteau Twins, Teenage Fanclub, The View, The Delgados, and Camera Obscura.

In my defence I did mention Orange Juice but didn't add one of their tracks. However I have no excuse for forgetting the Cocteau Twins!! Heaven or Las Vegas is one my favourite albums.

VisitScotlandRuaridh · July 2016

It's a case of where do you start for me when creating a top 10 in Scottish Music. I always think like this when making my list:

1. Breabach
2. Julie Fowlis Band
3. Runrig
4. Manran
5. Rura
6. Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham
7. Capercaillie
8. Battlefield Band
9. Kan
10. Lau

You can find out more info online at https://footstompinrecords.bandcamp.com/

VisitScotlandRuaridh · July 2016

Another great gig was Runrig 'Party on the Moor' at Muir of Ord in the Highlands. A night to remember celebrating there 40th anniversary.

KatieMacLeod · July 2016

There can't be a Scottish music top ten without Runrig - at least not for me! As a (mostly former) melodeon player from the islands, I've got a soft spot for traditional Gaelic tunes, and I'm a big fan of the likes of Julie Fowlis, Skerryvore, and Manran. I'm really enjoying the music from the recently formed Tide Lines too (the lead singer was in Skippinish until this spring).

(And thanks, @Leodhasach, for reminding me of some old favourites - Idlewild's 'You Held The World In Your Arms' was on repeat on my iPod a good few years ago!)

Leodhasach · July 2016

For something a bit louder we could also include Perth's finest Pirate Metal band Alestorm. In fact I'd even go as far as to say they're the World's finest Pirate Metal band. It's not like there's a huge amount of competition in that genre...

johnmurrayjnr · July 2016

Loving the Idlewild chat. They are the band I've seen more than any other band and Scottish Fiction is still my fave although 100 Broken Windows takes me right back to my high school days.

Roddy Woomble's first solo album (My Secret is my Silence) was great and features the beautiful voice of Karine Polwart.

ScottieDoll · July 2016

I love Amy MacDonald's version of 'Caledonia'. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's tongue-in-cheek rendition of 'Dancing Cheek to Cheek' is another favourite

OutandaboutElaine · July 2016

Completely random but do you remember The Time Frequency? Scottish techno band. They were filling the student unions and nightclubs across Scotland in the early to mid 90's! This track is from 1992.

Leodhasach · July 2016

@VisitScotlandElaine That's a blast from the past! I'm sure I saw them in the Ministry nightclub in Aberdeen. Probably the same night that I saw The Grid... (I know!)

Which reminds me, I used to work with the original drummer of The Shamen after he left the band. They were formed in Aberdeen and I worked with Keith a few years later in Triple Kirks.

3penny · July 2016

Two more to mention must be Eddie Reader and of course, Fish, ex-lead singer with Marillion who went on to record on his own after leaving them.

Leodhasach · July 2016

I've created a public playlist on Spotify that you're all very welcome to add to or share/follow. I've asked my colleagues in the office to come up with a suitably pun-heavy name for the playlist based on #Scotspirit but some of the suggestions have been so heavy on the càise it's been enough to put me off cheese toasties for life

Some of the suggestions so far are:

It Scot to be....

Songs that Scot stuck in your head

Scot your feet tapping

VisitScotlandNikkiR · July 2016

Runrig - Alba - Edinburgh Castle.

VisitScotlandColin · July 2016

The Talking Heads could count

... well David Byrne WAS born in Dumbarton!

SuzieD · August 2016

Loving all the reminders of songs from my youth! Ones which stick out for me are the Associates "party fears two", Danny Wilson "Mary's Prayer", all of Blue Nile "Hats" album, Primal Scream "moving on up" and Aztec Camera "somewhere in my heart". Of today's Scottish musicians, my faves are Twin Atlantic and Calvin Harris.

ElaineR · September 2016

@Winnie @VisitScotlandRuaridh what about the Proclaimers! One of the most successful Scottish music acts ever

BobtheYank · January 2017

VisitScotlandMarina said:

I love Deacon Blue! Seen them live a few times now and it's always been a great show and a brilliant atmosphere!
There are loads of great Scottish bands but top gigs I've been to are Hue & Cry, Runrig, Wet Wet Wet and The Proclaimers!!
All this music talk - I want to go to a concert NOW!!! lol

I haven't visited Scotland in 25 years, but am finally going back in August. Loved The Proclaimers since Day 1, and finally got to see (and meet!) them a couple of months back when they were touring the US. Although they don't plan to tour in 2017, what are the chances they might play the odd gig in Edinburgh? I'd plan my whole trip around a show!

ejfraser94 · July 2017

ejfraser94 said:

There are lots of good Scottish music to feast your ears with. I would agree with Biffy Clyro and Simple Minds. Another great band, who performed at the Commonwealth Games ceremony is Deacon Blue, you can't beat a bit of Dignity or Real Gone Kid. They're going on a tour round Scotland in December, hoping to go to see them at the AECC. Runrig as well are great, their live albums especially.

KT Tunstall has been a favourite artist of mine from my childhood, she's also going on a tour round Scotland, gutted it sold out pretty quickly at Aberdeen's Lemon Tree! Possibly have to go to the Highlands to go and see her. Travis has the lead singer Sharleen Spiteri who's a great singer also, she has her own solo material. Franz Ferdinand were also popular 10 years ago, Take Me Out is always a good song to 'rock' to.

If anyone is aware of the Pixar film Brave, Julie Fowlis contributed to the soundtrack, she was born in North Uist but grew up in Ross-shire in the Highlands (fellow Highlander, whoop whoop!). She usually sings in Scots Gaelic but she has a lovely voice, great one to listen to.

As a recent music graduate who doesn't have a day where she doesn't listen to music, I had to post on here! But Scotland has a wide range of music all across the country.

Looking back on this a year later, I am so embarrassed that I wrote Travis instead of Texas. Absolutely shocking, worst excuse of a music graduate. hahaha.

italgirl83 · July 2017

I enjoy the music of Paolo Nutini.

Parsman · July 2017

I can't believe we got to page two and nobody mentioned the Sensational Alex Harvey Band! Maybe it is a generational thing but I will never forget to my dying day their performance of Delilah.

Parsman · July 2017

Oh and, OK a bit tenuous but Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was born in Dunfermline. That was the reason I first listened to their music, the quality kept me coming back.

Parsman · July 2017

Oh and, looking back, if we are allowing folk music on the list, we have to include Dick Gaughan. His performance of "Now Westlin Winds (Song composed in August) is beyond magical.

apetitdeux · July 2017

Pretty interesting things there ! I didn't know David Byrne was born in Scotland, he's definitely a great artist.
I would recommend King Creosote too (Diamond mine is a good album), and add Boards of Canada (try Geogaddi) if you like dreamy electronic music.
A little bonus: "Prickly thorn but sweetly worn" is a song about Scotland by the White Stripes, and it's a good song too !

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Scottish music top ten(ish!)

Comments