Thursday Gala Concert
Thursday 31st July 2008 7:00 PM
Venue: Tented Village
The opening concert at Speyfest 2008 sees Eddi Reader and her band travel north to remind us why she is rightly considered the
First Lady of Scottish music. In a solo career that has recently seen the release of her stunning interpretations of the Songs of
Robert Burns, an MBE for outstanding contributions to the arts and in 2007 the latest album "Peacetime", Eddi continues to sell-out concerts all over the world. Her band features Boo Hewerdine on vocals and
guitar, Alan Kelly on accordion, Roy Dodds on percussion and Kevin McGuire on double bass.
This evening with Eddi Reader will also
feature a guest performance from Orcadian Kris Drever, who for some time now has been recognised as one of the most talented
musicians on the traditional scene. But with the release of his debut solo album "Black Water" in 2006 and the BBC Radio 2 Folk "Horizon"
award that followed, Kris' vocal talents are now also winning him critical acclaim.
The concert will be opened by the hugely impressive pipes and drums of the award winning Grampian Police Pipe Band. Quite simply
one of the best competition pipe bands in the country, their surprising repertoire and performance will get the night off to a great
start.