Irish folk heroes The Mary Wallopers are joining the headline bill at HebCelt Festival this July, completing a powerful trio alongside The Saw Doctors and Mànran.
The Dundalk group recently became the first band ever to sell out a five night run at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, earning a place in the venue’s Hall of Fame, only weeks after The Saw Doctors themselves played back to back shows there.
With the Irish double bill now confirmed for Stornoway, organisers say demand is already strong for what has become Scotland’s third biggest summer music festival.
Skye born electronic Celtic duo Valtos are also set to return with their dynamic, award winning fusion sound, while French electrobrass collective FÜLÜ add their brass heavy, percussive carnival energy to the weekend.
Valtos co founder Martyn MacDonald said:
“When we played HebCelt in 2024 we didn’t know what to expect but it turned out to be one of the best festivals we’ve ever played.
“The crowd, the setting, and the line-up are next level and we loved every minute of it.
“Also as a half Leòdhasach myself, I feel like I’m coming home.”
Acclaimed fiddle player Laura Wilkie joins the programme, alongside Orkney quartet Fara, Lewis singer songwriter Colin Macleod, indie trad stars Dlù and Harris based music pioneer Iain Costello Band.
There is also a debut for emerging local band Emberline, while award winning singer, piper and accordion player Calum MacColl will perform in the Isle of Harris Gin Ceilidh Tent.
Emerging talent remains central to the festival’s identity, with Glasgow based singer Kirsteen Harvey joining the bill alongside BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Rachel Groves.
HebCelt Festival’s artist programmer Michelle Shields said:
“We’re overjoyed to have The Mary Wallopers making their HebCelt debut this year and completing our amazing trio of headliners along with The Saw Doctors and Mànran.
“It’s an unashamedly upbeat line-up of high-tempo, Celtic roots and trad with a huge Irish infusion too, a dash of French, hint of Canadian and an extensive line-up from Lewis too.
“We’ve got some wonderful songwriters joining us, a whole host of absolutely beautiful vocalists, and we will be showcasing a range of pioneering, adventurous and emerging artists too, so there really is something for everyone.
“Our partnership with BBC Radio Scotland to bring the Young Trad Musician of the Year here is also something very important to us with our emphasis we have on showcasing emerging new talent, so we are thrilled to be welcoming Rachel Groves.
“We are very proud of our record platforming female talent across our stages too, so we are delighted the likes of Kim Carnie, Michelle McManus, and Kirsteen Harvey are among all those performing.
“The response so far has been brilliant, especially for weekend tickets, so our advice is not to leave it too late because demand is already proving higher than some previous years, which we’re grateful and delighted about.”
Also appearing are Emma Scalpay, Dàna, Kirsten Adamson and The Tanagers, Michelle McManus and The Flaming Blackhearts, HEISK, Siobhan Miller Band and Niamh Corkey.
Local favourites The Tumbling Souls, Sean Harrison and Band, Beinn Lee, Old Man Luedecke and Michael McGovern and Band will also perform, while previously announced acts include Peatbog Faeries, Jarad Rowan, Mec Lir and Chloe Matharu.
This is shaping up to be one of HebCelt’s most energetic and internationally flavoured line ups to date, blending island roots with Irish fire, French brass and homegrown Highland talent.
More details and tickets are available now at hebceltfest.com
