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Peat and Diesel to play The Loft, Kinloss as part of a UK tour


By Garry McCartney

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Accordion player Innes Scott, drummer Uilleam MacLeod and singer and guitarist Calum Macleod gearing up for their recent Barras gig.
Accordion player Innes Scott, drummer Uilleam MacLeod and singer and guitarist Calum Macleod gearing up for their recent Barras gig.

ONE of the most popular bands in Scotland is playing at The Loft, Kinloss on Friday, November 19.

As part of their 'Giving It Laldy' Autumn tour tour, three-piece islanders Peat and Diesel will perform in front of a sell-out crowd in the Cowshed section, rescheduled from last December due to coronavirus restrictions.

Having also recently sold out Glasgow’s Barrowlands, singer and guitarist Calum ‘Boydie’ MacLeod, accordion player Innes Scott and drummer Uilly Macleod are looking forward to showing Moray’s fans what they are all about.

Uilly said: “We can’t wait to play our first gig in Kinloss to a sell-out crowd! Some fantastic events have been held at The Loft so we’re looking forward to experiencing it.

“We’ve had to wait a long time for these gigs to come around. It’s been a tough two years for everyone in the industry.

“Since we’ve been back, we can see how much people have missed gigs and we’ve had some memorable nights on the tour ... Kinloss will be no different!”

The trio love sharing their unique sound with fans from all over.
The trio love sharing their unique sound with fans from all over.

The group formed over Saturday sessions at home in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis then grew in popularity via social media. Their initial instrumental jams inspired Boydie’s lyrics, mostly on island life, which include Gaelic phrases.

Uilly explained: “The songs won’t make much sense to the average person ... but the person behind the lyrics isn’t your average man. If you have a listen and you can relate, you’re a special breed!”

In 2019, the band won ‘Live Act of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards then, at the 2020 event, they won Best Music Video for ‘Calum Dan’s Transit Van’. Peat and Diesel were also nominated for Best Album for second album, ‘Light My Byre’.

Scouting For Girls at The Loft in 2019.
Scouting For Girls at The Loft in 2019.

Loft owner, Victoria Butler, first heard the lads on a previous tour - she asked the promoter to bring them to Kinloss as she knew they would be a big hit here.

“Much to our delight we were approached when the next tour was in the planning,” said Victoria. “The tickets sold out within a day or two of their release. All of their tour dates are sold out!

“Peat and Diesel is the first music event at The Loft since the pandemic started. We’re excited but nervous about what it will be like and how those attending will feel. At this stage, by regulations as a venue with under 500 capacity, we believe vaccination certificates are not required, however, hosting a band like Peat and Diesel will involve dancing and drinking so we advise all attending that masks are mandatory and that all attendees must bring evidence of having done a lateral flow test on the day or the day before.”

The Loft was closed for six months last year due to covid-19 regulations, during which time the activity centre, pottery painting and café shut permanently.

Victoria said: “It was devastating to close parts of our business that we had nurtured for so long but we saw no way of operating safely or in a financially viable way due to restrictions of group sizes and distancing. Our glamping and camping business has also been affected by numerous closures, lockdown, rescheduled bookings and cancellations. However, the staycation boom has made it possible to operate within guidelines keeping staff and guests safe as our accommodation is self contained cabins or accommodates people in their own tents, campervans or motorhomes. We’ve invested in additional facilities to ensure safe distancing of all guests.”

She added: “We‘re looking forward to being able to host more music and events in the years ahead. We now offer more flexible venue and rooms for hire options and are open to hosting more music and private events. So any bands or people looking for a venue to host a gig, wedding or a party, please get in touch!”



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