The Southern Fried Festival free Outdoor Stage on Perth Concert Hall Plaza has become a firm festival favourite since it launched in 2014. Now, thanks to a new sponsorship agreement, Southern Fried 2016 will introduce a second free daytime stage, The John Ross Hi-Fi Acoustic Stage in association with Goldrush Records and Naim Audio in Perth Concert Hall’s Norie-Miller Studio. And, the Charlotte Street Hi-Fi, Home Automation and Audio Visual store will also be hosting two free Classic Americana Album breakfast sessions during the Southern Fried weekend.
Compered by Scottish singer/songwriter Findlay Napier, the Southern Fried Acoustic Stage will be an intimate showcase for a sizzling selection of talent from home and abroad during the afternoons of Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July. The stage times between the free stages will be staggered so that there is a non-stop programme of music on offer in and around Perth Concert Hall from 1pm - 7pm on both days.
Singer, guitarist, fiddler and mandolinist, Skip Gorman opens the show at 1.30pm on Saturday 30 July with his deep authentic blend of traditional, old-time and western American folk music. Johnny Smillie and Monica Queen’s new venture, Tenement & Temple creates something beautiful with two acoustic guitars and voices, followed by a combination of folk, country and indie influences with Norrie McCulloch. Compere Findlay Napier will perform a special Americana-friendly set and the day concludes with a celebration of Scots and American folk traditions with Mairi Orr.
Sunday’s Acoustic Stage line-up from 1.30pm includes soul blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Reece Hills, one of Scotland’s finest Americana acts, Doghouse Roses, the classy original songwriting and vocal chemistry of The Bevvy Sisters, a return for Tennessee indie-blues artist Amythyst Kiah, a bit hit at last year’s Southern Fried Festival, concluding with Austin-based country duo Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay.
Goldrush Records founder and one of the UK’s Americana pioneers, John Thomson introduces one of his favourite records before playing it through one of John Ross Hi-Fi’s top-of-the-range systems on Saturday 30 July. On Sunday 31 July it is the turn of Texas songwriter Bruce Robison to introduce one of his favourite albums at these free sessions with breakfast.
Southern Fried Festival director Andy Shearer said:
“As a registered charity, Horsecross Arts is reliant on external funding for much of its operations. Sponsorship is a key funding source for the Southern Fried Festival; allowing us to continue to expand the festival, providing performance opportunities for both local and visiting musicians, entertaining our loyal audiences, bringing visitors to the city and adding to the festival buzz. We are also keen to build relationships with local businesses, so we are delighted that John Ross Hi-Fi and Goldrush Records have got involved and that they’re equally motivated by raising their business profile and a desire to support Perth’s creative community, which is the ideal combination. We hope their commitment will inspire other local companies to follow suit.”
John Ross and Billy Hosie, company directors of John Ross Hi-Fi said:
“We are delighted and extremely excited to be part of the Southern Fried Festival this year - and hopefully for many years to come!"
Compered by Bruce Fummey, this year’s Southern Fried Festival Outdoor Stage kicks off on Friday 29 July from 5pm until 6.30pm and then again on Saturday and Sunday afternoons featuring an exciting mix of musicians from both sides of the Atlantic including local guitar legend Pete Caban, rockin’ country, blues and rock’n’roll from Texas Martha, Southern Fried Rock Shop, The Andy Gunn band, The Black Diamond Express, The Dreaming Spires, local youngsters Longstay and more.
Southern Fried, Perth’s festival of American roots music takes place in Perth Concert Hall and other city centre venues from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July. Headliners include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nick Lowe, Andy Fairweather Low & Paul Carrack, Imelda May and Gretchen Peters. Click here for full Southern Fried Festival line-up.