At the Heartland Festival, the Discovery Stage has always held a special place in our heart. It’s where music journeys begin, where new voices are heard, and where audiences get the chance to connect with rising talent in a way that feels both intimate and unforgettable.

For many of the artists, it’s the first time they’ve stepped out in front of thousands of people. They’re used to playing small venues across Scotland, to a few hundred fans at most. Suddenly, they’re facing the entire Heartland crowd — a sea of faces ready to listen.

It’s not just another gig; it’s a game-changing opportunity.

This is the essence of our new series, Being Discovered at Heartland — shining a light on the stories behind the Discovery Stage and the artists who’ve stood upon it. To begin, I want to focus on a band whose journey captures everything the stage was created for: Dundee pop-rock act Copper Lungs.

Who Are Copper Lungs?

Copper Lungs are a Dundee-based pop-rock band known for their anthemic, emotionally charged sound. 2025 has been a breakthrough year: they released their debut full-length album Broken Beautiful, sold out their album launch at Church Dundee, supported Elliot Minor at The Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh, and toured across the UK.

But perhaps the most defining moment of their recent journey was moving from Heartland’s Discovery Stage in 2024 to the Main Stage in 2025, where they played to 8,000 people. It’s the kind of progression we love to see at Heartland Festival — a natural step up that proves what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.

The Role of Discovery

To understand why Copper Lungs’ story means so much, you first need to appreciate the thinking behind the Discovery Stage.

Our Artist Liaison, Marion McDonald (Marz), is the driving force behind it. She listens to hundreds of submissions, scouts new talent at gigs, and curates a diverse lineup each year. But her role goes far beyond booking. On festival weekend, she’s the one making sure everything runs smoothly, keeping bands comfortable, and even ensuring they’re fuelled up with snacks — Haribo being a regular backstage request.

For Marion, the Discovery Stage is about levelling the playing field. Unlike other festivals where smaller acts might be tucked away in a tent, Heartland’s setup positions the Discovery Stage so the whole crowd can turn and engage. It makes the artists feel like part of the main event, because they are.

When I asked Marion about her proudest moments, her answer was immediate:

“Seeing David Delinquent and the IOUs, Forgetting the Future, and Copper Lungs graduate to the Main Stage in 2025. Copper Lungs’ performance was particularly breathtaking — they owned the stage and delivered an unforgettable performance.”

Her admiration for the band goes back years. She first saw them in 2016 at Fat Sam’s in Dundee and tried to book them for March into Pitlochry that same year. They weren’t available then, but her persistence paid off when she re-approached them in 2024. “I might have been done for stalking,” she laughed, “but it was worth the wait.”

Why Discovery Matters More Than Ever

The opportunities for up-and-coming acts have never been more restricted. Across Scotland — and the UK in general — the number of pubs and clubs offering live entertainment has dropped sharply in recent years. For new artists, those small venues are where they traditionally learn their craft: how to play live, how to deal with a difficult room, how to engage an audience, and how to bounce back when a gig doesn’t go to plan.

Any established band will tell you the same story:
“When we were on the road, that’s where we really learnt how to play.”

But today, those early stepping stones are disappearing. Without those smaller gigs, gaining the experience needed to truly grow becomes much harder.

That’s exactly why Heartland Festival takes such pride in giving emerging artists something rare — a chance to put their hard work to the test in front of a large, supportive, and genuinely engaged audience. Very few festivals take that chance on unknown talent. It doesn’t sell tickets.

But at Heartland, supporting new Scottish artists isn’t a risk — it’s part of our DNA. It’s what the Discovery Stage was built for.

A Full-Circle Moment

For Copper Lungs themselves, that invitation from Marion was the start of something special. Darren Lindsay recalls:

“We actually first got the opportunity because Marion reached out to us. Looking back at our old Facebook messages, it seems she’d seen us live years ago at Fat Sam’s before we went on hiatus. It was one of those full-circle moments where someone remembered us from way back, and it led to us stepping onto the Discovery Stage.”

It’s moments like this that remind me why the Discovery Stage exists: to connect dots, to revive opportunities, and to give deserving talent the stage they need to shine.

Discovery to Main Stage in 12 Months

When Copper Lungs first set foot on the Discovery Stage in 2024, they had only a handful of songs released. Fast forward just one year, and they were stepping onto the Main Stage with a full album behind them, a UK tour lined up, and a growing online following.

Darren describes that 2025 main stage moment vividly:

“We arrived the day before and spent the whole Saturday just staring at the stage, knowing we’d be up there soon. We’ve always believed we’re a main stage-worthy band, so instead of nerves, it was pure excitement. We just wanted to go out, make a statement, and love every moment together. Judging by the crowd reaction, we feel like we did exactly that.”

That balance of ambition and gratitude is exactly what we hope Discovery ignites in artists — the belief that they belong, paired with the hunger to prove it.

(Photos taken on 30th June 2024 on the Discovery Stage)

The Heartland Difference

Every artist will tell you there’s something unique about festival crowds. But Copper Lungs found Heartland to be different.

“Festivals always have something in the air that feels special. The crowd was so responsive — we came out in a big way, caught everyone’s attention, and they were with us for the entire set. On top of that, we’ve built real friendships with the Heartland team, so it honestly felt like everyone wanted this for us. That made it incredibly special.”

That comment struck a chord with me. At the Heartland Festival, we don’t just book artists and leave them to it. We build relationships, we invest in them, and we want them to succeed. Hearing that the artists feel it too means we’re on the right track.

(Photo taken on 30th June 2025 after performing on the Main Stage)

Life After Discovery

The ripple effects of Discovery are clear in Copper Lungs’ story. Since their Heartland Festival debut, their social media following has grown dramatically, their fanbase has

spread across the UK, and they’ve been able to embark on a nationwide tour. At their Scottish dates in particular, they recognised familiar faces from the Pitlochry crowd — proof that discovery isn’t just about one weekend, but about creating lasting connections.

“For us, being discovered means people finding our music and connecting with it in some way, shape, or form. But more than that, we don’t want people to just be passively listening, we want people to join us on the journey and become part of the Copper Lungs family. That’s what makes it meaningful.”

The People Behind It

Copper Lungs are quick to credit those who’ve supported them.

“There really aren’t enough words to praise Marion. She genuinely believes in Scottish bands, and it’s so refreshing to see someone who cares that much. With all the effort we put into Copper Lungs, having people like Marion fighting for bands is something truly unique. We absolutely love her and the whole Heartland team for everything they do.”

As someone who works alongside Marion year after year, I can echo that sentiment. Her dedication, taste, and sheer enthusiasm are what make the Discovery Stage such a vital part of Heartland Festival.

Closing Reflection

Copper Lungs’ story is everything the Discovery Stage stands for: belief, opportunity, growth, and connection. From a chance reconnection with Marion, to a breakthrough performance, to a UK tour and a Main Stage slot — it’s proof of what can happen when talent is nurtured and given the right platform.

For us at the Heartland Festival, it’s more than just music; it’s about creating moments where artists and audiences truly discover each other. Copper Lungs seized that opportunity and made it their own — and I couldn’t be prouder to have witnessed it.

Stay tuned as we continue to shine a spotlight on more up-and-coming Scottish artists in this special series of features.

*Since this article was written, Copper Lungs have continued to go from strength to strength including a UK tour. Please support them by giving a follow here on Facebook and Instagram.

Written by Simon Clark