.jpg) |
| Frightened Rabbit |
In 2009 we
celebrated 250 years since the birth of our national poet Robert Burns with many events and concerts across Scotland..
Today in
2015 rock bands like Frightened Rabbit can sell out US venues and are signed to
Atlantic records. They have developed their fan base worldwide while being
based in Scotland. Also the band The Errors, an electric rock band, say they
don’t need a London office to communicate today. According to radio DJ Vic
Galloway PR and Publishing continue to be based in London.
Scotland
over the past decades has hosted some of the world’s most successful arts
programs and events. T in the Park is the UK’s second live event; Celtic
Connections is one of the main worldwide roots music events. Edinburgh festival
is the worlds biggest arts festivals.
.jpg)
Twenty years
ago people might have mocked folk singer songwriters The Proclaimers Scottish accents
– and now it is normal for musicians here to sing with their Scottish accents
and write about where they come from and be proud!.
The band Twilight
Sad say that ‘American audiences sing back to us in pretend Scottish accents!’
Great!
Our main
festivals encourage a great deal of cross-collaborations which are highly
productive and illuminating. Folk singer songwriter Karine Polwart has spoken of the special musical collaborations
that are welcomed here between different artists. As long as we continue to
welcome and embrace other cultures – as we do whole heatedly at our arts
festivals.
The
internet has broken down barriers too and this cultural identity and pride in
your roots has been happening elsewhere.
 |
| Biffy Clyro |
The
question remains whether cultural revivals have driven devolution – I can’t
help but feel they have. It is part of the crucial debates over our distinctly
Scottish identity.
Today many young
musicians are less affected by the Radio One formula sound. It used to be
Scottish artists felt second rate, but no more!
Frightened
Rabbit, ‘Now there is more confidence about staying in Scotland. ‘
