Scottish alt-folk favourites reveal how the Highlands festival shaped their sound and why they keep coming back.
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The Scottish alt-folk quartet rose to prominence in the early 2010s with their harmony-driven, melodic sound. Their 2011 debut “Hope St.” and 2012 release “One Man Army” both reached the Scottish Album Chart Top 10, and they supported major UK acts. With a strong Scottish identity and several Belladrum appearances, they’ve become beloved festival favourites.
We catch up with the band as they reflect on their first Belladrum performance and the festival’s atmosphere whilst they share how playing in the Highlands fuels their creativity, deepens their musical identity, and keeps them coming back for more.
Belladrum has grown into one of Scotland’s most beloved festivals. How has the atmosphere changed since your first appearance, and what keeps you coming back?
Belladrum was the first festival that invited us to come and perform at. I remember us stepping out of our wee van with all our gear packed in and just being immediately happy that we made the trip.
Our crew set the stage for us, we got up, and we played. There must have been maybe 50 people in this wee tent spread out, and those sweet 50 people made us feel at home.
And that’s what Belladrum’s atmosphere is—homey. I think we left a good impression.
Anyways, we spent the rest of the weekend there, and it’s just always been a place we want an invite back to. It’s the perfect musical utopia.
Your music has deep Scottish roots—does playing in the Highlands bring out a different energy in your performances compared to other festivals?
Absolutely. Our fans up in the north make us feel very special.
Performing in the Highlands feels like this mystical ancient tradition to just party and get loose. So it definitely has a distinctive difference to other festivals. It’s special.
Since the success of Hope St. and One Man Army, how has your songwriting and production approach evolved? Are there new influences shaping your sound today?
I think we’ve aged like a nice fine wee bottle of wine. And we’ve all had a good dose of different life experiences.
So now, being that little bit older—maybe a little wiser, haha—we’re better at listening to each other when we are creating anything new or rehearsing.
So we’re evolving all the time really.
Despite lineup changes and shifts in the music industry, Kassidy has kept a loyal fanbase. How do you balance evolving your sound while staying true to your identity?
That’s a good question.
Well… we’re a harmony band. So whenever the ether gifts us new material, I think the balance comes through our love of harmonising.
So it keeps the Kassidy sound that way. And basically, all we want to achieve is to give the fans music that will brighten up their lives a little.
Scottish music has a rich tradition of storytelling. Do you see Kassidy’s songs as part of that tradition, and are there particular stories you love to tell through your music?
It certainly does. Donovan is a huge influence on me.
He’s a Maryhill-born and raised psychedelic folk icon. But to answer your question, the songs are about everything and anything that every person on earth goes through internally and externally every day.
Your live shows have always had a strong emotional connection with audiences. How do you approach translating that intensity to a festival crowd?
You can’t help it. It gives you so much adrenaline, so much energy—sucks you right into the carnivalistic malaise of the place.
So it takes your performance to a higher level and makes you want to lose your mind in it. It’s great.
Kassidy 2012/2013
Belladrum is known for its eclectic lineup. Are there any artists on this year’s bill you’re excited to see?
Supergrass!! Davey Horne! Texas! Joy Hotel!
Your alt-folk sound has this cinematic, melancholic quality that would work perfectly in independent films. What type of movie would be the ideal showcase for Kassidy’s music?
Red Dead Redemption 3… I pray.
