Elbow for Belladrum!

Manchester megastars Elbow have been announced as the first headliners for Belladrum 2019.

The multiple Ivor Novello award-winning chart-toppers – whose last two albums topped the charts – will make their Highland bow when they close the Thursday night at next year’s Tartan Heart festival.

Promoter Joe Gibbs said: “Elbow have been at the top of our wish list for a few years now and we are delighted to have finally secured them for the festival. We can’t wait to bring them to the Highlands for the first time.”

The group head up a whole host of artist announcements for this year’s Belladrum – whose theme has also been announced as “Sci-Fi”.

The band will be joined by singer/songwriters Tom Odell, making his Bella debut, and Lewis Capaldi, making his first appearance on the main stage.

Also lined up are ska stalwarts The Selecter, Belladrum favourites Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, along with a whole host of other artists.

Celtic rockers Skerryvore, indie folk pop act Coco and the Butterfields, trad-folk band The Poozies and the Highlands’ own Torridon have all been lined up for the festival.

The Dangleberries will return once again, along with Scottish ska band Bombskare well as TOM MCGUIRE & THE BRASSHOLES who will close the Ice House stage on the Saturday night.

Rhythmnreel, Awkward Family Portraits, and Fun Box have all been announced, along with children’s Gaelic choir Rionnagan Ross who will open the mainstage in the Saturday night.

And the late night Grassroots stage slots will once again be taken up by tributes, with MacFloyd and the Sensational David Bowie Band booked to play.

Tickets are on sale now – go to www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk

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