The Collective: “All Killer No Filler” for Belladrum’s 21st
Highland band discuss their late-night reputation, secret new tunes, and keeping the crowd dancing until dawn
The Collective have become synonymous with Belladrum’s late-night energy since forming in 2018. Made up of seasoned local musicians including Rory Baldwin, Iain “Huggy” Howie, Stewart McArthur, Bev Fraser, Terry O’Connell and Russell Montgomery, this Highland covers band has built their reputation on high-energy performances and an “All Killer no Filler” approach to their setlist.
As they prepare for another late-night slot at Belladrum 2025’s 21st edition, the band reflects on their journey from pub conversations to their spiritual home at the festival, with some top secret new material brewing in the background.
You’ve been playing together since 2018 and have become a fixture of the local scene—what brought the band together, and how did things take shape in those early days?
All of us were friends already and had considered playing with each other many times (usually in the pub over a spiced latte or two!)
It all kind of fell together very quickly, we assembled the original line up with Sean Fleming (Swamp Radio) on Drums and Derek Urqhuart (Lush Rollers and many more!) on guitar.
Despite us all being in quite different genres of band we were united simply by just “good music” as it were and the desire to entertain and have a good time doing so!
So we got a set together, took it to the Legendary Market Bar, then were lucky enough to get a slot at our other spiritual home Belladrum and the rest is history!
You’ve got a reputation for high-energy covers and late-night slots—how do you choose your setlist, and what’s the secret to keeping the crowd dancing ’til the end?
The motto is “All Killer no Filler!” The aim is to have a set of songs you would gladly play as the last song or as an encore not just to pad out a set. We’re getting there and if nothing else Terry and Bev will be dancing ’til the end
You’re made up of seasoned musicians like Rory Baldwin, Iain “Huggy” Howie, Stewart McArthur, Bev Fraser, Terry O’Connell and Russell Montgomery—how does that experience show up on stage?
Not only is it amazing to play music with your friends but to be comfortable knowing that individually (and Collectively ) they can pull out all the stops and keep the machine running smoothly makes for the best of times.
Belladrum’s 21st edition and another late-night set for you—what does the festival mean to you, and how does it feel to be part of that closing celebration?
We absolutely love being there! Watching the festival grow over the years and simply get better and better has been a blast. To be able to be a part of the fun is incredible and we can’t wait!
Is there a track you’re especially excited to play this year—a real crowd-pleaser or one that gets you fired up every time?
We have a few top secret new tunes brewing away right now, looking forward to unleashing them !
Covers are your bread and butter, but if you could claim one song from this year’s Belladrum lineup and call it your own, what would it be?
Rory-Pumping on your Stereo-SG
Terry-Caught by the Fuzz-SG
Bev-Happy Hour-Paul Heaton
Stew-Get Away-The Dihydro
Huggy- Fire-Arthur Brown
Russell-Symon-DDA
What’s on the horizon for the band once the Belladrum dust settles—anything exciting brewing, or are you just looking forward to playing it by ear?
As always, playing it by ear! Would like to do some more new festivals next year, so organisers if you’re reading this shout us up!!
Their approach remains refreshingly simple: create sets where every song could be an encore, keep the energy high, and trust in the collective experience of friends who know how to keep the machine running smoothly. With top secret new material ready to unleash and their sights set on more festivals, The Collective continue to embody the spirit that makes Belladrum’s late-night slots legendary.
Explore more Belladrum 2025 features, interviews, and artist previews on our Belladrum Festival hub.
