The Saw Doctors will return to Stornoway next summer as HebCelt unveils the first wave of artists for its 2025 festival.
The legendary Irish band will headline the Saturday night, marking forty years on the road and bringing their much loved anthems back to the island crowd.
It will be their third appearance at HebCelt, following unforgettable shows in 2004 and 2008, and the band arrives fresh from two sold out nights at Glasgow Barrowland.
Frontman Leo Moran said he was delighted to return, describing their 2008 HebCelt show as the band’s gig of the year and adding that if this summer comes anywhere close, “we’ll be more than delighted.”
The announcement comes alongside a vibrant mix of artists who reflect the breadth, humour and heart of modern Celtic music.
The Peatbog Faeries, long regarded as one of Scotland’s great genre bending bands, will return to the festival they were inducted into in 2010 when they joined the HebCelt Hall of Fame.
They will be joined by MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards Scots Singer of the Year nominee Jarad Rowan, the high energy quartet Mec Lir, and award winning harpist and former Merchant Navy navigator Chloe Matharu.
Kirsten Adamson and The Tanagers will bring their rich, melodic sound to Stornoway, carrying the legacy of her father, the late Stuart Adamson of Big Country.
Michelle McManus will make her first appearance at HebCelt, performing with The Flaming Blackhearts and promising a show filled with warmth, humour and big vocals.
She said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be coming to the island and spoke of the “incredible atmosphere, the stunning setting and the warm, welcoming audience” she had heard so much about.
All female powerhouse HEISK, the Siobhan Miller Band, Scottish Jazz Awards nominee Niamh Corkey, Gaelic Singer of the Year Emma Scalpay, and Danny Kyle Award winners Dàna add further layers to an already strong opening bill.
Local favourites The Tumbling Souls will return after a standout performance last year, with vocalist Willie Campbell describing the HebCelt atmosphere as “second to none” and speaking of the deep connection the band felt with both locals and visitors.
Sean Harrison and Band, Uist six piece Beinn Lee, Canadian songwriter Old Man Luedecke and acclaimed Glasgow folk singer Michael McGovern will complete the first announcement, with another headliner to be revealed before Christmas.
Artist programmer Michelle Shields, recently nominated as MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards Industry Person of the Year, said The Saw Doctors were always on her list to invite back.
She called the booking a “dream” and said it was an honour to welcome them as they celebrate forty years together.
She added that the line up already offered something for everyone, with more to come as the festival builds towards its thirtieth anniversary in 2027.
Last year’s improvements, including tap and go payments, upgraded family areas and new technology, will return with further enhancements promised for 2025.
HebCelt 2025 will run from 15 to 18 July and is supported by Creative Scotland, NHS Eileanan Siar, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Lewis Wind Power, SSEN Transmission and local organisations.
Tickets go on sale this Friday at hebceltfest.com.
