A new live music night starting in Forres this summer is looking for acts
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A PROFESSIONAL musician is starting a new regular music event in Forres this summer.
Dave Martin of electronic band Big Fat Eclectic plans to take over The Eagle Bar on Saturday, May 9 with 'The Weird Sisters Festival', then promote more opportunities for local bands to perform at the same popular venue.
He said: "We will have 12 hours of great music at the launch on May 9. It will be a wee fringe festival that will compliment 'Forres Live 2020: Party at Grant's' on the same day.
"Some people won't be able to afford a ticket for Forres Live so we are making ours £10 for live music on two stages upstairs and downstairs in the Eagle, which, thanks to Eric and Colin, is a great old-school rock venue.
"After the initial festival we will have regular Weird Sister nights there with my other band Hed Swim and guests. It's all about promoting positive mental health and creating a cool place for people to hang out and listen to live music."
Big Fat Eclectic played at The Eagle Sessions last year and were impressed by the PA system and lights owned by promotion team Eric Kleintges and Colin MacDonald.
Dave said: "It would be amazing to see The Eagle being used by even more people. I work all over the country but I love living here and would love to see a healthy music scene happening on our doorstep.
"I've worked with many bands, musicians and solo artists, and played in lots of different venues and festivals, but I want to work closer to home."
Big Fat Electric worked with the National Theatre of Scotland on the Big Fat Electric Ceilidh which won an award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012. Dave has worked with musicians, bands, solo artists, theatre companies, production companies, dance companies, on film and radio all over the UK and overseas. He is also involved in programmes run by Eden Court, Findhorn Bay Arts, Feis Rois, Aberdeenshire Council and more.
Dave is also part of local three-piece band Hed Swim, who will be performing at Weird Sisters.
He said: "Local bands will be able to use Weird Sisters to work on their stage craft and live performances. The organisers have all the skills required to be able to do it all ourselves: graphic design, booking bands, stage tech and management, live sound, equipment, marketing etc.
"It's the old punk ethic - just get on and do it: make, record and play live music, get a scene going and don't worry about what people think!"
