Music of Scotland: Difference between revisions

Music in Scotland is celebrated and recognised in a variety of different methods such as music festivals and award ceremonies. The countries major music festival, [[TRNSMT]] replaced the former [[T in the Park]], and is held annually in July in [[Glasgow Green]]. Other music festivals include [[Celtic Connections]], [[Eden Festival]], [[Glasgow Summer Sessions]], the [[Skye Live Festival]] and the internationally renowned [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]]. Scottish music is celebrated through awards such as the [[Scottish Album of the Year Award]], the [[Scots Trad Music Awards]], the [[Scottish Alternative Music Awards]] and the [[Scottish Music Awards]].

[[Celtic rock]] developed as a variant of [[British folk rock]] by Scottish groups including the [[JSD Band]] and Spencer's Feat. [[Five Hand Reel]], who combined Irish and Scottish personnel, emerged as the most successful exponents of the style.<ref>C. Larkin, ''The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music'' (Guinness, 1992), p. 869.</ref> From the late 1970s on, the attendance at and numbers of folk clubs began to decrease as new musical and social trends began to dominate. However, in Scotland, the circuit of [[ceilidh]]s and festivals helped sustain traditional music.<ref name="Sweers2005pp31-8"/> Two of the most successful groups of the 1980s that emerged from this dance band circuit were [[Runrig]] and [[Capercaillie (band)|Capercaillie]].<ref>B. Sweers, ''Electric Folk: The Changing Face of English Traditional Music'' (Oxford University Press, 2005), {{ISBN|978-0-19-517478-6}}, p. 259.</ref> "[[An Ubhal as Àirde (The Highest Apple)]]" by Runrig made history by becoming the first song to be sung in [[Scottish Gaelic]] to chart on the UK Singles Charts,<ref>{{cite web |title=RUNRIG – The Story (Ridge RR078) |url=https://folking.com/runrig-the-story-ridge-rr078/ |website=Folking.com |access-date=2 September 2024 |date=22 January 2016}}</ref> peaking at number eighteen on the UK Singles Charts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Singles Chart on 30/4/1995 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19950430/7501/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=6 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> It also became a top five single for the band in Scotland, debuting at number three on the Scottish Singles Charts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 30/4/1995 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19950430/41/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=6 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> At the height of their success during the 1980s and 1990s, Runrig were described by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' as one of the "most celebrated" Gaelic language bands in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Billboard - May 6, 1995 |url=https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=vgsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA83&dqq=An+Ubhal+as+Àirde%C3%80irde+(The%28The+Highest+Apple)+runrig&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmg_WwuKeIAxUjSkEAHTQ3CZ0Q6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=An%20Ubhal%20as%20Àirde%20(The%20Highest%20Apple)29&fpg=falsePA83 |website=Billboard Magazine |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |access-date=3 September 2024 |language=en |date=6 May 1995}}</ref>

Though often derided as Scottish kitsch, the accordion has long been a part of Scottish music. [[Scottish country dance|Country dance]] bands, such as that led by the renowned [[Jimmy Shand]], have helped to dispel this image. In the early 20th century, the [[melodeon (accordion)|melodeon]], a variety of [[diatonic button accordion]] was popular among rural folk and was part of the [[bothy band]] tradition. More recently, [[Phil Cunningham (folk musician)|Phil Cunningham]] (of Silly Wizard) has helped popularise the accordion in Scottish music.

Scotland has long had a number of festivals that celebrate music of Scottish and international origin on an annual basis. [[T in the Park]] (1994–2016) was one of Scotland's largest music festivals,<ref>{{cite news |author=Barry Nicolson |date=10 July 2016 |title=T in the Park review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/10/t-in-the-park-review-calvin-harris-dizzee-jamie-xx-stone-roses |publisherwork=The Guardian |quote=Whatever its faults, [T in the Park] remains the biggest – and best – party on Scotland’s cultural calendar.}}</ref> drawing crowds annually during the second weekend of July since its inception in 1994. Featuring a lineup of some of the globe's biggest and most successful artists and bands, it held a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts. T in the Park was replaced by [[TRNSMT]] (2017–present) which similarly takes place in the second weekend of July and is held in [[Glasgow Green]].