PLAYING AT #HF26
We are delighted to announce the following artists will be playing on the Scottish Citylink Discovery Stage at the Heartland Festival in 2026.
(Order of announcement)
ANT THOMAZ
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
Ant Thomaz is an artist and singer-songwriter based in Glasgow. His musical approach is distinguished by a diverse mixture of indie soul, pop & rock which lends his creations a genuine and inviting essence. Thomaz embarked on his artistic path performing in the streets of Glasgow, where he attained recognition and established his band. A significant chance arose when he performed on The Celtic Connection’s Danny Kyle stage, which allowed him to open for the band Big Country at O2 Glasgow. Since that pivotal moment, he has performed at numerous prominent venues throughout Scotland and Northern England, such as Hydro, O2 Glasgow, Edinburgh, SWG3, Usher Hall,Pavillion festival, Belladrum festival, Fringe by the Sea, Kelburn Garden Party and Eden festivals, BBC Upload festival.
He has supported a variety of notable artists, including Sandi Thom, Eddi Reader, Manran, Kool & the Gang, Starsailor, Georgia Cecile, Rusty Shackle, The Wailers, Roy Ayers, and Shaun Ryder's Black Grape. Their notable song "We Are One," featuring the distinguished BAFTA-award-winning actress, comedian, and singer Karen Dunbar, was named Song of the Week on BBC’s Afternoon Show, along with being featured on BBC 6 Music and The Kaye Adams Programme.
CONNOR LIAM BYRNE
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
Connor Liam Byrne and The Bad Kissers are an unapologetically bombastic, junkshop, glam rock, extravaganza with big guitars and bigger choruses with a sound reminiscent of both 70s American FM radio and that racket your neighbours are making next door.
After recently appearing at No. 14 in the Scottish album charts with their debut record ‘In Hell’, Connor Liam Byrne & The Bad Kissers continue to spread their lipstick stained message of love and rock and/or roll.
THE CARLOWAYS
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
The Carloways are BACK! After a brief hiatus, the boys are back together and are proud to present their new music.
The band has enjoyed many successes throughout the years including performing at 17 sold out Edinburgh Fringe shows, playing at Scottish festivals such as Eden Festival and Kelburn Garden Party, being a main stay act at their second home Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival and creating a debut album, from which each single received BBC Radio Scotland airplay (among other radio
The debut self titled EP and debut album ‘Resuscitator’ were recorded at 45-a-side Recordings with producer Paul McInally. All songs were written by Maclennan with the album featuring an eclectic range of musicians.
In 2025, The Carloways enjoyed a sold out hometown reunion show at Perth Theatre, a slot on the iconic Garden Stage at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival and have been working on material for a second album.
Here’s THE CARLOWAYS!
ISLAY CROWE
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
Islay Crowe is a young singer/songwriter. Spending most of her time running around Pitlochry she found a love for nature which is expressed in her songwriting.
She was gifted her first guitar when she was 7 and has been hooked on music ever since.
Her music is influenced by many artists including Dolly Parton, Beluga Lagoon and Chuck Berry.
MELLOW PARTY
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
Mellow Party are a lowlander alternative folk band. Their 1st release was a tribute to comedy legend Billy Connolly for the Friends of the People's Palace. The single was passed onto the big yin by Glasgow acting legend Gavin Mitchell, it received play on the Iain Anderson and Travelling Folk show on BBC Radio Scotland. They have influences as varied as Flatt and Scruggs, Flight Of The Conchords, The Mighty Boosh, Robert Burns, The Proclaimers, Simon and Garfunkel and the Humble Bums. 'If It Gets You Where You're Going' was BBC Radio Scotland single of the week April 2023 after which they flew out to New York Tartan week playing gigs at Club Cumming, Bryant Park and The Sony Music Hall main event as well as a detour to play The Fire Philadelphia with collaborators The Laurettes and Gleadhraich..
Follow up single 'Stand In The Moment' released Fri 3rd May 2024 lead to the band being artist of the week with The Scotsman/ Scotland on Sunday and Number 1 in the Itunes Singer Songwriter chart.
Mellow Party debut album 'The Love You Have Inside Of You Is All That You Truly Own' released 2025, features two BBC Radio Scotland singles of the week 'If It Gets You Where You're Going' and 'Go On Yourself' as well as brand new unreleased tracks with lead vocals from 3 different band mates John McMustard on album opener 'Losing Streaks and Shaky Knees' Ayrshire polymath Colin Hunter on 'Follow Me I'll Be Right Behind You' and Perthshire multi instrumentalist heartthrob Gordy Duncan on 'Where I Belong'.
'Go On Yourself' a collaboration with Dumfries Community Choir reached Number 42 in the official UK single charts in June 2024 and was single of the week on BBC Radio Scotland with the song being launched at Hampden Stadium at poet friend Julie McNeils 'This Is Scottish Football' book launch and was a feature on ITV News during the Euros.
New tunes a plenty to be released in 2026 including a banjo banger written by For The Love Of Shane McGowan and Back Green Singers banjo belter Garry McFadden.
NICK SHANE
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
Having recently reached 1 MILLION streams on Spotify, Nick Shane is a UK Mod/Punk/Indie singer-songwriter based in Scotland with singles and albums spanning the past decade.
Nick's songwriting covers a wide range of Acoustic/Soulful/Singer-Songwriter genres, to Heavy Mod/Grunge/Chaotically Psychedelic influences. Recent releases include GIMME SHELTER (with THE BELLE STARS), FEVERLAND, LONG BROWN HAIR and THE GIRL WITH THE FREAKY GUN.
Nick has also released celebrated tracks such as STRANGER TIMES (featuring Texas guitarist and founding member, Ally McErlaine), SHINE OVER ME (with the video featuring Scottish TV legend Gail Porter) and the massively successful 2022 album WIRED TO THE MOON.
REBECCA CONNELLY
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
Hailing from Arbroath, singer-songwriter Rebecca Connelly has built a career that spans continents, combining honest storytelling with a blend of pop, country, and rock. With a voice that’s been praised for its warmth and clarity, Rebecca’s music has found audiences from Southern California to the Scottish Highlands.
After early performances with acts like Dropkick and Tumnus, Rebecca moved to California, where she held a residency at Palm Springs' Riviera Resort, performed for stars like Harrison Ford and Avril Lavigne, and was named Best Female Artist in the SoCal Music Live Competition. Her debut album Coming Home and EP Days Like This led to performances at the House of Blues, Hollywood, and a Scottish tour, bringing her band over from the U.S.
Rebecca returned home to Scotland in 2013, reconnecting with her roots and the local music scene. She recorded vocals with Del Amitri keyboardist Andy Alston and was featured on The Coaltown Daisies’ critically acclaimed album Listen.
She released her second studio album California in 2020, just before lockdown. The album was later nominated for Best New Album at the Scottish Album of the Year Awards.
In 2021, Rebecca took a step back from performing to welcome the birth of her son. Her return to the stage has been marked by powerful live sets, including recent performances at the Randan Festival and Bellrock Music Festival, where she shared the bill with Kyle Falconer of The View.
Rebecca is currently writing her third studio album and co-directs Red Rock Music in Arbroath, mentoring young artists and helping shape the next generation of Scottish talent.
THE PAINTING
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
Glasgow’s The Painting are carving out their place as one of Scotland’s most exciting new pop‑rock outfits. Formed in 2024 from the ashes of Arcade State, the six‑piece bring together songwriter Ciaran Murray (vocals/guitar), Jordan Murray (drums), Marta Leslie (keys/vocals), Jonny Emerson (guitar/vocals), Lewis Taylor (bass), and Cameron Roxburgh (guitar/vocals). Hailing from across Scotland - Drumchapel, Clydebank, Shetland, Oban, and Glasgow, their diverse roots feed into a sound that is both widescreen and intimate, blending pop immediacy with ambient textures and cinematic scope.
Their latest album, 'Before The Rain', released independently on October 3rd, 2025, is a shimmering, emotionally charged journey through heartbreak, hope, and sonic exploration. Recorded at Mark Morrow Studios in Leith, the record was forged under pressure, with songs written and reshaped in the studio. “Like coal turning to diamonds, it’s the pressure that produced our most surprising results,” says frontman Murray.
The album’s four singles, Imprint, Scarlett, Two Weeks, and Waiting On The Storm each reveal a different facet of the band’s identity. From the driving hooks of Imprint (praised by Northern Exposure for its charisma and energy) to the stripped‑back vulnerability of Two Weeks, the dreamy chaos of Scarlett, and the cinematic tension of Waiting On The Storm, The Painting showcase versatility and emotional depth in equal measure.
Already making waves live, the band have sold out Glasgow’s Hug & Pint with a double set, packed out St Luke’s and King Tuts for their headline shows, and earned BBC Introducing Scotland support. Their first UK tour includes dates in Edinburgh, Aberdeen (supporting Admiral Fallow), Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, and London cements their reputation as a band on the rise.
For fans of: The 1975, Sam Fender, Fleetwood Mac, The War on Drugs.
THE KILLING TIDE
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
The Killing Tide are a four-piece rock band from North-East Scotland, delivering anthemic, emotionally charged performances that have been making waves across the Scottish music scene.
With towering guitars, marching drums, and textured, heartfelt vocals, their sound is as vast and dramatic as the coastline that inspires them.
Drawing influence from the rugged landscapes of their home, The Killing Tide’s music captures both the calm and the chaos of the sea — moments of reflection that swell into powerful, soaring choruses. Their songs carry a raw honesty that resonates deeply with audiences, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and full of energy.
Renowned for their passionate and high-energy live shows, The Killing Tide have built a following through their ability to connect with crowds and turn every performance into a shared emotional journey.
Their self-recorded tracks have received play on BBC Introducing that have cemented their reputation as one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging acts.
The band are set to release their debut album, Carry Us Across the Sea, in early 2026 — a powerful collection of songs that capture their signature blend of alternative and Scottish-inspired rock. With evocative soundscapes, heartfelt lyrics, and an unmistakably cinematic feel, The Killing Tide continue to rise, carrying audiences with them on a tide of sound, emotion, and connection..
With their debut album on the horizon and a growing list of live performances alongside acts such as Big Country, Mànran, and Torridon.
The Killing Tide a band whose sound, spirit, and storytelling continue to carry audiences across every shore.
THE CASTROS
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
The Castros are a 5 piece indie and alternative rock band hailing from Fife, Scotland. The band was formed in the middle of 2022 between friends and quickly built up a reputation around Scotland with their energetic and vibrant live performances.
The Castros possess a swagger that engages the audience anywhere they go. This fantastic on stage presence and persona has seen them take advantage of some big support slots including Inspiral Carpets, The K’s, Shambolics, and the Lafontaines.
Taking inspiration from a wide range of genres and artists. You can clearly hear different influences dripped throughout each song. The guitar melodies chime and glisten. The vocals ooze in indie swagger that dance and flutter amongst the sparkling riffs.
The rhythm section produces thumping yet melodic bass lines that pirouette amongst intricate and versatile drumming. Together, this creates the Castros sound. A unique sound that is hard to pin point. This originality invokes an excitement that you do not want to miss.
RUVELLAS
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2026
Emerging in 2017 from Dundee, United Kingdom, Ruvellas blends indie rock and indie pop into a genre-defying sound.
Ruvellas are a four piece band hailing from Dundee, Scotland consisting of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Aiden Stuart, lead guitarist Lewis O'Farell, bassist Ben Gowans, and drummer Ali Ferguson.
Some of Ruvellas’ highlights so far include appearances at Belladrum Festival and The Isle of Wight Festival, as well as a main support slot for successful Scottish band The Snuts at a sold out Fat Sam’s show.
Ruvellas are fast becoming one of Scotland’s most thrilling new guitar bands. With a sound rooted in britpop and indie rock, the band deliver driving guitars, soulful vocals and thunderous, show-stopping anthems that channel the raw spirit of classic rock ‘n’ roll. Their textbook live performances are already earning them a reputation for being one of the most electrifying acts on the Scottish circuit.
Ruvellas released their much anticipated debut EP ‘Modern Way Of Loving’ on the 12th of September 2025 which reached number 13 in the Scottish Album Chart. The EP includes four brand new tracks as well as two previously released ‘fans favourite’ songs on either side of the vinyl. The band deem this project as some of their best work to date with every track bringing its own unique sound whilst being mindful not to veer far from their distinctive indie rock sound. Frontman Aiden Stuart describes ‘Modern Way Of Loving’ as an ‘EP that captures the complexities of present day relationships’.
GLASS CHEQUES
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
In an age where ‘virality at any cost’ dominates the current musical landscape, Glass Cheques, the Glasgow-based duo of Jamie Keenan and Darren McCaughey, keep it simple - prioritising sound over spectacle.
With nods to fellow Scots, Teenage Fanclub and Mogwai, the duo’s concise and honest songwriting stands out as a breath of fresh air in today’s musical climate.
ELLIJAI
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
Born and raised in Scotland, Ellijai grew up with music in her blood. As the daughter of a well-established singer-songwriter, she spent her early years side-stage watching live music unfold up close — the chaos, the emotion, the power of connection.
She wrote and recorded her first song at seven and has never stopped. Classically trained in voice and piano and also a guitarist, she began performing at festivals and venues across Scotland by thirteen, developing a natural stage presence and a deep love for live performance.
Ellijai’s sound blends alt-pop, dark-pop, and indie rock with unapologetically honest lyrics. Her songwriting explores identity, resilience, vulnerability, and the struggles of growing up in a world that feels overwhelming — yet her music is never without hope. Think Billie Eilish meets Wolf Alice with flashes of Olivia Rodrigo, yet unmistakably her own voice.
Since releasing her debut single Floating in the Flood at 15, followed by multiple releases backed by BBC Introducing, she has continued to build momentum leading into her first full-length project planned for 2026. On stage, she is fearless, expressive, and emotionally connected — not just performing her songs but living them.
With growing support, new music, and more live shows on the horizon, Ellijai is quickly becoming one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging alt-pop voices.
CARL MARAH
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2026
Carl Marah, born in Dunbar and now rooted in Edinburgh, is carving his path as a singer-songwriter of rare cinematic resonance. Having long been a grounding force in the local music scene through his co-leadership of psychedelic pop band Logan’s Close, Marah now additionally reemerges as a solo artist intent on sharing his unmistakable storytelling voice.
His sound draws from the golden thread of classic troubadours - a fusion of Rodriguez’s haunting edge, Donovan’s poetic flair, and Paul Simon’s melodic lightness, while retaining a timeless, dust-tinted warmth.
“Siren Song”, his debut solo single released 14 February 2025, immersed listeners in a dreamlike, Lynchian world, displaying the dynamism and melodic exploration which would become a mainstay in his solo music.
Following this, Marah toured widely across the UK, bringing his evocative narrative-driven songs into warm, intimate venues, inviting fans new and old to join his new musical narrative.
