Voting opens for BBC ALBA Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival talent search

Voting has opened in the quest to find the best up-and-coming musical talent from the Highlands and Islands to perform on the main stage at this year’s Belladrum Festival.

Eight acts are in the running in the talent search run by BBC ALBA and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

The competition is open to solo artists and bands across all genres where at least 50 per cent of its members have a Highland home address.

People can cast their votes at tartanheartfestival.com/competition. Voting will close at 5pm on Friday June 20.

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This year’s festival, which runs from Thursday July 31 to Saturday August 2, will feature acts such as Texas, Supergrass, Paul Heaton, Tom Walker and Natasha Bedingfield.

The eight acts in the running to find a winning up-and-coming local act are:

• Low Light Listening Lounge

• Falasgair

• The Cherries

• Isla Scott

• The Chosen Lonely

• El Sartel

• Ró Ó hEadhra

• Scott C. Park

The winner will open the main stage at the Hot House Arena on Thursday July 31.

Last year’s talent search winner was Cameron Ferguson whose music was described as “encapsulating a punchy guitar style, with dreamy open chords and hard-hitting lead, combined with bass that locks in with the solidity of the drums.”

Known for its unique and diverse showcase of music and the arts, the Belladrum Festival has grown in popularity over the past 20 years, now attracting thousands of visitors.

Go to Tartanheartfestival to find out more and buy tickets.

Those unable to attend should go to Belladrum on BBC ALBA to watch live coverage from July 31, or on demand.

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