Battlefield Band in line for US award

Battlefield Band in line for US award

SCOTTISH folk music ambassadors Battlefield Band are in contention for a prize at one of the most prestigious awards on the US music scene. The band's song, Bagpipe Music, which is based on the Louis MacNeice poem of the same name and appears on their latest album, Room Enough for All, has been nominated in the World Traditional Song category at the 13th annual Independent Music Awards.

Votes are cast by a mix of music industry judges and the public.

independentmusicawards.com

Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Mela

SCOTLAND'S biggest multi-cultural festival has announced the Red Hot Chilli Pipers as one of its headline acts.

Glasgow Mela returns to the city for its 24th consecutive year on June 7 and 8. The free event is to be held in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park and features music, dance, exotic food and eclectic stalls.

The nine-piece band - named Scotland's best live act in 2007 and 2010 - are to play on the main stage on June 7.

Other headline acts include Dhol Foundation, the London band who performed at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony, and bhangra sensation Sukshinder Shinda, who are to perform with a live band. The Mela runs from noon until 8pm.

glasgowmela.com

Freddie King to play home dates

JAZZ singer Freddie King returns from foreign travels that have seen him perform across Asia and the Far East recently to play dates closer to home this month with guitarist Lachlan MacColl.

They're at Woodside Hotel, Aberdour for Fife Jazz Club this Sunday afternoon, then Crieff Artspace (April 12), Whighams Jazz Club, Edinburgh (April 20) and Moondogs, Galashiels (April 26).

whighams.com/edinburgh.php

Aida trio set for the Underbelly

THE full riches of this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe have yet to be revealed, but many attractions offered under the Underbelly banner at its various venues are already announced.

Among them is the return of Fascinating Aida, who were awarded a glowing review for their Glasgow Comedy Festival show at the King's Theatre in Monday's Herald.

The trio will be at the Underbelly for the duration of the Fringe, from August 1 to 25 - and have a date at Aberdeeen Music Hall on October 16.

fascinatingaida.co.uk

Fred Morrison

in solo concert

PIPER Fred Morrison is to play a solo concert at CCA in Glasgow on Tuesday, April 15, for the new Glasgow music-promoting organisation Glow Arts.

South Uist-based Morrison, who specialises in playing the reelpipes, the sweeter-toned, bellows-blown cousin of the Highland bagpipes, as well as featuring on the mellow, expressive low whistle, has recently enjoyed success in the USA, where he recorded his most recent album, Outlands, with bluegrass masters including Ron Block, of Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Tim O'Brien.

fredmorrison.com