goNORTH’s Local Heroes Stage champions James Mackenzie, Naked Red, ROADWAY and He Slept on 57 at The Exchange on Wednesday the 6th of June 2012.
A plethora of local acts will be on show throughout the showcases including ain McLaughlin & The Outsiders, Whisky River Band, Them & Us and Team Kapowski (for the full timetable of events including details of appearances please click here).
In addition the Local Heroes Stage sees 4 further bands play the event on the 6th of June at The Exchange. The 4 bands are:
He Slept on 57, the Inverness based trio will bring their brand of what Hercules Moments described as “dynamic pop”. The band drawing comparisons with Twin Atlantic and Biffy Clyro, He Slept on 57 are Inverness based trio Stuart Nelson, Kyle Campbell and Ewan Cruikshank.
Their 2011 EP release ‘Childsmile’ is still winning fans including Rick Fulton of the Daily Record who described it as “Ripped up fuzz-faced guitars slams you into a wall of sound as the beat swaggers like a sweaty gorilla”.
Second is Naked Red, certainly evolved and redefined over the years bringing in a combination of styles a clear mission to intrigue and entertain whilst genre jumping, as the band said themselves, “It has no right to work it really shouldn’t work at all”.
The current line-up is Andy Forbes (singer/songwriter/guitarist), Garth Coates (Bass) Jamie Douglas (Drums) and Tony Baxter (Guitarist). Described by a fan as “melodic rock” the band endeavour to bring a mix of genres together resulting in a set that “keeps people interested,, and on their toes”.
James Mackenzie whose hard working ethic and addictive tunes has seen him gig extensively this year, building his profile as he goes he has played venues from Thurso to London. James will be playing the main stage at both Belladrum and BFest this year.
ROADWAY finish the quartet of acts, a recent accident has seen the planned set reduced as Ross MacEwen and Ross Elder recover. When they were initially announced for the event Ross MacEwen said “I can speak for all the gents in the band that we in ROADWAY are very happy indeed to be part of the event, and will certainly be giving it our all come the night!!”. The sentiment will, no doubt, remains for this acoustic set.
Needless to say anything that helps boost the profile of local bands is welcomed with both hands and we look forward to supporting the night whole heartedly….
Please support the event by sharing the Facebook event here and of course coming along.
Our last interview with He Slept on 57 is here, with Naked Red is here and we have plenty coverage of James Mackenzie here and ROADWAY here.