The Weekender

Steven Young is one to watch for 2023

The Weekender's 23 for 2023 - Scottish acts tipped for success
IF YOU’RE struggling to find great new music in Scotland… you are simply not looking hard enough.

The Weekender Awards returned for 2022, with female artists dominating the prize lists.

Seven different winners at The Weekender Awards 2022

ON FIRE: The View are preparing to make their big stage return later this month. Picture by Bazza Mills

The View are ready to 'set the world alight' once again

A TALENT: James Liandu reinforced his songwriting credentials with two releases this year. Picture by Marc Sharp

'Hold on to that light' – James Liandu reflects on tragedy, songwriting and the graft

LINE-UP: Box of Trash are made up of Barry Fisher, Lyle Kennedy, Jordan McKee and Aiden Davidson

'We just go for it' - The freedom to create with Box of Trash

DUO: Matt Hickman (left) of Brownbear and Mark Sharp (right) of Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves confess their 7 Deadly Tunes to The Weekender

7 Deadly Tunes – Matt Hickman and Mark Sharp

Weekender Awards 2022 - Album of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Album of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - EP of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - EP of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - Song of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Song of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - Single of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Single of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - Live Act of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Live Act of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - Breakthrough Artist of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Breakthrough Artist of the Year shortlist

Weekender Awards 2022 - Music Video of the Year shortlist

The Weekender Awards 2022 - Music Video of the Year shortlist

STATEMENT: Royal Bloom - Kyle McKnight, Lewis Wise and Aaron Dick - released their debut album Visceral recently.

Track by Track – Royal Bloom's debut album Visceral

GERRY SON: From left to right - Roddy Mackenzie (guitars/sound engineer), Gerry McGlade (frontman), Ross Pilgrim (drums) and Gez Schieritz (bass). Picture by Gerry Son and the Smokin' Gun

Stirling band launch charity single for Strathcarron

DREAM COME TRUE: Francesca Gray has signed with Tennessee record label MC1 Nashville as she chases her childhood dream

Dream come true record deal for Clackmannan singer

The Weekender returns for 2022 with Live Act of the Year introduced for the first time

Updated The Weekender Awards grows once again with Live Act prize introduced

Strange Dimensions will play the next episode of The Gathering later this month

Oran Mor to host next instalment of The Gathering mini-festival

DUO: Poster Paints is made up of Carla Easton and Simon Liddell. Picture by Craig McIntosh

Track by Track – Poster Paints give insight into debut album

Carrie Marshall, lead singer of HAVR, aims to change the narrative surrounding trans people in Scotland. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

HAVR singer aims to change the narrative around trans people

The top ten moments of the Scottish festival season

Top ten moments of the Scottish festival season 2022

ENTERTAINERS: The Stirling four-piece Gerry Son & The Smokin' Gun are natural born performers

'Make that connection' – Gerry Son & the Smokin' Gun on turning performances into shows

MILKING IT: Ewan Macfarlane will release his second solo album later this month, having drawn on his relationship with wife Jo for inspiration. Picture by David Stanton

Ewan Macfarlane on capturing a shared life on record

7 Deadly Tunes – West Lothian star Silvi

ICONIC: Guitar solos are responsible for the most memorable moments in rock 'n' roll, but the culture around lead guitar has changed in recent years. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Guitar solos - To shred or not to shred, that is the question

DEFIANT: Kiana refuses to accept limitations put on her by other people.

An unsilent voice: Kiana will not accept barriers in music

BACK FROM THE BRINK: Paul Hipson battle through his addictions, with music playing a major part in his recovery. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Music was a vital step on the road to conquering addiction

The Darkness delivered a killer headline set at Vibration Festival 2022. Pictures by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Vibration keeps Falkirk at forefront of Scottish festival scene

Swim School on the Guitar and Other Machines stage at Connect Festival.

PICS: Relive the return of Connect Festival in Edinburgh

Callum Beattie at Party at the Palace 2022. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Party at the Palace – a welcome return for jewel of West Lothian scene

Joesef is among those set to play the Tiny Changes X Gardeners Cottage at Connect later this month

Tiny Changes stage announced for Edinburgh's Connect festival

PERFORMANCE: Honeyblood, peforming at Doune the Rabbit Hole recently, will be back in the area later this month. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Honeyblood to play Stirling as part of Scotland on Tour

The Rain Experiment performing at Bute Fest. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Bute Fest 2022 now among the heavy hitters of Scottish festival scene

Corin on stage at Doune the Rabbit Hole. Picture by Iain Smith

Doune the Rabbit Hole comes thumping back for 2022

Tenement Trail returns with Vistas, Baby Queen and Dead Pony

Tenement Trail returns with Vistas, Baby Queen and Dead Pony

Pitch on the hunt for artists to perform at conference

Pitch on the hunt for artists to perform at conference

The 2022 ceremony takes place at The Albert Halls in Stirling this October.

Final call to enter Scottish Album of the Year

The Hug and Pint to host birthday night celebrations

The Hug and Pint to host birthday night celebrations

ON SONG: Anna on stage with Medicine Cabinet at TRNSMT last Saturday.

From Alloa to TRNSMT: Medicine Cabinet frontwoman charts her course

LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY: The Gator is raising £5,000 to perform the gig in Mississippi next year and is pictured at a recent Record Store Day performance in Stirling

Alloa's The Gator kickstarts fundraiser for 'dream gig' in Mississippi

Matt Hickman, of Brownbear, ahead of shows in Dundee, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Paisley and others.

Brownbear kickstarts Scotland on Tour dates

Aiitee will be among the performers at Pitch this summer

Pitch: A 'celebration' of hip hop and underground culture in Glasgow

There are a few bands not to be missed at this year's TRNSMT

10 acts to watch out for at TRNSMT 2022

HISTORY AWAITS: Connor Fyfe's TRNSMT debut will be a clear highlight of the three-day festival. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Connor Fyfe prepares to take next big step with TRNSMT debut

WinterStorm takes place in November at Troon Concert Hall

WinterStorm gears up for its return this November

Bute Fest returns at the end of July, 2022

Bute Fest: 'It's just a special place to be'

STAGE IS SET: Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 on stage at Party at the Palace in 2019. Picture courtesy of the PATP website

Emerging acts to catch at this year's Party at the Palace

Mark Sharp and The Bicycle Thieves at Vibration Festival in 2021. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

West Lothian's Party at the Palace set for 2022 return

Mason Hill singer Scott Taylor performing at Glasgow's King Tut's in late 2019. Picture by Iain Smith/The Weekender

Mason Hill begin work on second album

The crowds will flock to Doune the Rabbit Hole once again this summer. Picture courtesy of ReCompose

Doune the Rabbit Hole organisers waste no time for 2022

READY TO GO: Nina Nesbitt will open the main stage at TRNSMT on Sunday, July 10

Nina Nesbitt gears up for TRNSMT main stage set

Idlewild will perform The Remote Part in full when they play Connect in August

Roddy Woomble: Reflecting on Idlewild's The Remote Part, 20 years on

Frankie Poullain, performing on stage with The Darkness

The Darkness set for another Scottish chapter with Vibration Festival

Amy Papiransky with mentor KT Tunstall

Amy Papiransky aims to make the most of KT Tunstall support