STAGG debut on ‘new’ stage in his home city as Inverness musician Lewis Kane will perform at Mad Hatters in Hootanannys on Friday September 16

There will be a special homecoming gig for Inverness musician Lewis Kane, better-known as STAGG.

But unlike the old days when his music was part of the traditional music scene focused in Hootanannys itself, STAGG is making a significant journey – just as important to him as all the world-travelling that has helped develop his own sound since he last played in the venue.

He will be taking the few steps up the stairs to Mad Hatters for his first-ever gig there, showcasing his signature “nu folk-pop fusion”.

Now based in London, STAGG has taken his accordion everywhere from the South of England, to Canada and then on to Mexico – a country he loves and a country in love with the accordion.

But first, sitting outside a coffeeshop in Bethnal Green as rainy-day traffic swishes by, he explained why STAGG.

“When I was looking for an alias, STAGG came to the fore. I was wandering the world at the time, like a stag. To me the stag represents wild, natural Scotland, where I grew up and which continues to inspire me. You see a stag standing on a hillside and they are so poised and elegant, so in their element, like the environment is their stage, and that's what I try to channel when I'm performing my music. I also love how the stag is a powerful beast, but is also a herbivore: powerful yet peaceful - a good role model.”

Going back to the beginning, a fascination with music started young.

“I started out being driven to music lessons by my mum and dad, playing piano and classical piano.

“I got into traditional music and that is where my musical life opened up and it felt a bit more personal. Somehow classical music, it’s like you are reading the classics, but you can’t really contribute?

“In traditional there is so much more opportunity - especially around Inverness, things like the feis and the fact that around Inverness there is such a strong music scene and playing traditional music there are always quite a lot of opportunities to play.”

Since leaving the city to study architecture, Lewis has done a lot of travelling, allowing himself to be immersed in the music scenes and styles of other places.

“I do think I am a particularly ‘spongey’ person,” Lewis explained. “It's in my nature to soak up what is around me.

“Before leaving Scotland, all I knew was traditional Scottish music, but when I started living elsewhere, I felt a strong inclination to lean into whatever the local live music scene was and connect with those musicians, be it metal, bluegrass, hip-hop or norteño [in Mexico].

“I came to appreciate more and more how music is an international language where genre, style, heritage and ability level can all be transcended - if there is an openness. My music is about openness.”

“Living in London now, the musicians around me and those I play with in the band come from all different backgrounds, but it just works so well because we all feel the music. And my songs are for everyone.

“Playing accordion, people assume you are going to play ceilidh music or you are going to play French music! So it’s a bit of a mission to change people’s minds about that.

“This gig is a big step forward in that mission!

“Coming back to Mad Hatters for me is a homecoming but also an evolution."

STAGG’s tour brings him to Mad Hatters on Friday, September 16, with a couple of support acts. Glasgow -based folk-rock band Woodwife and also Catherine Rudie with Chris Brambley. Chris will also play some solo numbers too. STAGG will also be playing the Pine Marten, Aviemore, on Saturday (Sept 17) with fiddle-player Jane Wild. And on Sunday (Sept 18), the Clachaig, Glencoe, with Jane and Woodwife drummer Douglas James Knight.

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