Del Amitri to play intimate Orkney gig as part of celebration of grassroots music venues

Scottish rockers Del Amitri will play a special gig in Orkney as part of a nationwide celebration of grassroots gig venues.

The band will be at Kirkwall’s Sound Archive on Saturday January 15 as part of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour, which sees a variety of acts play shows a smaller venues in conjunction with the Music Venue Trust.

Frontman Justin Currie said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Orkney for the first time since 1992 when we were bowled over by the scenery, hospitality and Highland Park flowing like water. It will be wonderful to play there again.”

Tickets for the intimate gig will be on sale from Friday December 3.

Sound Archive’s owner Neil Stevenson said: “We are delighted to host Del Amitri as part of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour. Being a small venue on an island we have struggled to get back on our feet since restrictions were lifted.

“This gig is a welcome boost for us at a traditionally quiet time of year, it’s a great bonus for both the venue and the gig going community on the island. To be able to book Del Amitri is amazing for us as we would normally not be able to attract this level of band.”

Speaking about the importance of grassroots music venues Iain Harvie, guitarist and co-founder member of Del Amitri, said: “No grassroots, no grass. We cut our teeth playing self-promoted shows in cafés and bars around Glasgow — places that held fifty people. It’s part of who we are.

“There can’t be a performer in the world who wasn’t inspired by going to see shows in a local venue. Glasgow’s Burn’s Howff, The Rock Garden, Paisley’s legendary Bungalow Bar (all only memories now) were the places I was led astray.

“King Tut’s, Nice N Sleazy, Stereo, The Old Hairdressers, are places you will see the city’s finest now.”

Shows will be taking place across the country, with National Lottery players having a chance to bring a ‘plus one’ for free.

This extension of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour follows the overwhelming success of the inaugural tour during the summer which saw The National Lottery contribute £1m to directly underwrite the touring and production costs of hundreds of live performances.

Other acts playing one-off special shows include Enter Shikari, Becky Hill, Maisie Peters, The Coral, Feeder, Kojey Radical and Bastille.

Touring artists, who will play a number of dates including venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, include Abbie McCarthy’s Good Karma Club, Cultdreams and The Howl & The Hum.

Del Amitri, Sound Archive, Kirkwall, Saturday January 15, tickets at Ticketweb