The renowned Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean continues his adventurous route out of lockdown with a special performance at Dunfermline's Alhambra Theatre on Saturday, September 2.
MacLean's best-known songs include Caledonia, one of Scotland’s most popular contemporary songs, and The Gael, which formed part of the soundtrack for the film The Last of the Mohicans.
His songs have been covered by such artists as Paolo Nutini, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Keating and Frankie Miller.
Before 2020 MacLean toured the world continuously for almost 50 years, playing such venues as New York's Carnegie Hall, Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall London's Festival Theatre and the Sydney Opera House.
Now his music is reaching places where he has never even visited. Due to the success of his regular broadcast of live streamed concerts, which began on March 20, 2020, from his Old Schoolhouse in Perthshire, his worldwide audience has grown to a remarkable extent.
Celtic Connections star Dougie MacLean on music, family and Caledonia: the song that became a legend
Over 3.5 million people in almost 70 countries are known to have tuned in. Audiences have watched on phone, tablet, laptop or smart TV from every continent, from Iceland to India and New Zealand to Brazil as well as every part of Europe and North America.
MacLean also delivered live-streamed concerts from his atmospheric Old Farmhouse on the west coast of the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. He said: "The four camera broadcasts with great sound, lighting and staging, transport viewers right into my special spaces where I encourage involvement in my songs and stories".
Many viewers have responded to the live-streamed concerts by letter, email and social media.
“I’m amazed and still surprised at how much I enjoy these concerts", he added. "It’s definitely a very satisfying experience that continually brings out the unexpected and it’s somehow really gratifying to know that there’s an audience all over the world who genuinely appreciate my music … they choose to tune in and then they respond. It’s quite magical”.
MacLean has also hinted that a new album is on the way.
“I’m looking forward to the Alhambra concert", he said. "It’s one of those venues which still has that ‘old theatre’ feel, with the proscenium arch over the stage and seating in layers up to the gods, where even a big audience feels close".
* Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, 7.30pm, September 2. Tickets from £25. www.dougiemaclean.com
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