The festival, which is being held at the Silver Sands Caravan Park and leisure complex, is being organised under the auspices of the Artistic Freedom Collective, a network of musicians and music lovers which developed from MySpace on the internet. Musicians from around the world often get together on line to entertain each other, although jamming together is difficult because of the time differences.

The bands, which come from the United States, England and Scotland, are stopping off on their way to the Belladrum Festival at Beauly on Friday and Saturday this week, the only difference being they are free to watch on Thursday.

Among the local bands performing will be the Jamie Rosie Trio, Shall, the Maria Hall Band and Chris Grant.

The bands, who will be playing a mixture of music, from folk to rock, from funk to blues, will be performing on two stages, both indoors, on opposite ends of the leisure complex.

"This was the only way we could fit in all the bans," said Maria Hall, who is organising the event as well as appearing with her own band. "Although there have been a number of similar festivals over the past couple of years, this is the first one taking place this far north. There is going to be something for everyone on the bill and the Silver Sands have also agreed to give discounted prices for people wanting to camp overnight."

The action starts at 12 noon on Thursday and runs through until 1am on Friday.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---