As much a part of the Insider Festival as a Thistly Cross hangover and midge-ravaged ankles, Washington Irving have grown and developed hugely in the 4 years since their first performance with us.

Their tougher, more menacing sound seems destined for the biggest stages and their stint as tour support for Frightened Rabbit will have done them no harm at all. New album coming soon: bona fide Scottish indie heroes status to follow.

There’s something deliciously odd about the melding of folk and funk, maybe because it could so easily go horribly wrong. Luckily, Mans Ruin are connoisseurs of both disciplines and in their hands the recipe is a finely honed, tasty smash, right in your party bits. The chips, cheese, and curry sauce of folk; once tried you’ll never go back.

All singing, all dancing Balkan style instrumental orgy in Backwoods Friday night takeover! Prepare yourself for the unstoppable force of nature that is Balkanarama as we give them carte blanche in the forest. Expect 4 hours of live Gypsy, Klezmer and Balkan music, belly dancing, plum brandy, live visuals and goats. Possibly not the goats.

Long-standing friends and heroes of the Insider Festival, you undoubtedly know what they are capable of by now! High energy, unhinged, and usually naked, they combine elements of folk, klezmer, balkan music and Buckfast into a primordial festival destroying brew.

Watch. Yirself.

Mesmerising, otherworldly soundscapes created in DTB’s mind somehow find an outlet through sparse instrumentation, the clicks and clack of everyday objects and live looping. It forms an enigmatic and truly spellbinding live show.

They share a name with an Indian express train operating out of Kolkata, but sound more like a bourbon-fuelled ride through America’s musical past. BDE are a gritty, punky, powerful 9-piece blues outfit that manage somehow to ‘stay true to both Robert Johnson and The Sex Pistols’. Get ready to dance with the devil.

Splitting her time between Bristol and Japan (home of her husband, Ichi) has lent Rachael’s music an inventive, otherworldly sound. From the same scene as This is the Kit and Rozi Plain, who enchanted the Insider last year, this is similarly delicate and beautiful stuff.

An estimable platter-spinner, impeccable selector and fervent beard advocate, Duncan’s sets at his parties across Glasgow (Button Up, Voodoo Voodoo etc.), mixing up first-time round rock’n’roll, classic soul and R’n’B the way it used to be, are the stuff of legend. Probably. They bloody should be.

All the way from Nagoya in Japan, Ichi is a true original. He combines quirky handmade instruments, tape-loops and playful humour in a heartwarming display of one-man-bandery that is just a joy to witness.

A raw amalgamation of Blues and Country, as well as sounds from closer to home such as Punk, Folk and the engine noise of tractors from the arable farmland at the heart of Yorkshire from whence he came. A young man with serious old time blues sensibilities, played out on his home-made one-string ‘Diddley Bow’ guitar

Dynamically fusing contemporary and traditional influences from Scotland, Ireland, the Canadian Maritimes and beyond, Larsa’s tightly driven tunes and soulful songs have been captivating audiences across the UK and Europe since their formation in early 2012. The Scotsman has described them as ‘lads to watch’.

Easily the best barge-restoring Bristolian kora player ever to grace the shores of Inshriach.

With third album Murderopolis dropping on Song, By Toad records imminently this could be a breakthrough summer for the trio who, for our money, have been the dark horse of the fertile Glasgow indie scene for the last few years. Brooding, Americana-tinged folk-rock is just one sentence that hopelessly defines their musical output.

Where to begin? A restless innovator, true electronic pioneer and genre-crossing musical polymath, Matthew Herbert’s long and illustrious career has so far produced over 20 albums under his many guises (Doctor Rockit, Wishmountain, Radio Boy) with countless more as producer/collaborator (Bjork, Antony Hegarty, Roisin Murphy, Patrick Wolf). He has done over 150 remixes including of Ennio Morricone, Quincy Jones, John Cale, Bjork, ReM.

In one year alone (2011) the scope of his work saw him play Berlin’s Berghain as a Techno DJ, Ronnie Scott’s with his Big Band, The Royal Festival Hall with London Sinfonietta, and the Royal Opera House with his ONE PIG live project. He is famed for his sampling wizardry and his Dogme 95 style manifesto prohibiting the use of pre-recorded musical sources. But his DJ sets are likewise the stuff of legend, where he brings all his craft as a producer to the dancefloor. This is what the Backwoods was made for.

Noisily drenched voodoo-pop from Liverpool, in the hazy shape of psychedelic folktronica. Medieval synths, hypnotic beats, spiraling whammy guitars, MYSTICAL harmonies and apocalyptic thunder drones. 

Get all that? Good.

For further evidence of their credentials see: Alt-J European tour support.

Johnnie Common is, in his own wise words, a ‘Glasgow-based sonic boom of majestic devilry forged in the pottery kiln fires of Highland Perthshire’.
From the mundane to the ridiculous, no lyrical subject is safe. And neither are dancefloors when he busts out the big guns* for his live show.
*A drummer.

From their spiritual home town of New Orleans via their actual home town of Edinbra to their home from home town of Insiderville, we’re delighted to once again welcome the mighty Horndog Brass Band. Border control are going to have a field day with these guys if the criminal amounts of funk they’ve smuggled on-site on previous visits is anything to go by!

Debut album Light Of The North was released just before his performance at last year’s Insider and it has been lapping up critical acclaim ever since. His is a stunning live show, where improvised loops and guitars collide with fizzing synths and low-slung bass, and he’s also garnering widespread adulation for a string of slamming remixes, for the likes of Chvrches, Silver Columns and Discopolis.

We’re delighted to offer a platform to Olive Grove Records, who will be showcasing a selection of artists from their impressive roster that includes a number of Insider favourites. Run by Lloyd Meredith (Peenko) and Halina Rifai (Glasgow PodcART) on a truly honourable all-profits-go-to-the-artists basis, their efforts are exemplary of the tireless work that forms the backbone of the independent Scottish music scene.

Mariachi folk sextet, Woodenbox first came together in 2008 over their love of a fine sandwich, spaghetti westerns and The Beatles, combined with an obvious adoration of all things Mariachi. Particularly ponchos. Their second album should be well and truly in your face by the time the festival comes around, so no excuses for not singing along wildly.

Some words that critics have used in describing this inimitable pop outfit include: ‘Folk infused majesty… sharply amusing’, ‘ropey puns’, ‘truly invincible and with magical powers’. It’s not difficult to see why we love them is it?

Exquisite, often humorous songwriting, lush orchestration and melancholic vocal delivery are definitive characteristics of the two fantastic albums of wistful pop that the State Broadcasters have thus far delivered. Great chat too, comes guaranteed.

Jo Mango’s second album Murmuration was released on 5th November 2012 via Olive Grove Records and demonstrates Jo’s extraordinary ability to paint vivid and enquiring images of the natural world with a voice as delicate and complex as the myriad environments it describes.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee, Scottish Traditional Music Award winner and RURA member Adam is a busy fella, but he still manages to find the time to put on his wonderful monthly ‘Adam Holmes Presents…’ showcase doon in Edinburgh that features many Insider favourites.

Rather remarkably, hip-hop is throwing up some of the most inventive voices in Scottish music right now and they don’t come much better than Hector Bizerk who’s frontman, Louie, has played an intrinsic role in the continuing rise of the genre here. His smart rhymes that skilfully subvert rap norms, along with Audrey Tait’s taut, explosive drumming are at the heart of everything they do – with some notable additions for the live show.

A ridiculously exciting collaboration between the Bevvy Sisters and DJ Dolphin Boy, so new it doesn’t even have a Facebook page (like, crazy, right?!). Featuring members of the Loveboat Big Band amongst others, this is going to be a swinging, jiving, beats’n’bass driven climax to Saturday night’s marquee antics.

Soutra features Rona Cooper (fiddle), Owen Sinclair (Guitar, Bouzouki, Bodhran, and vocals), Becca Skeoch (Clarsach) and Dave MacGregor (Percussion and guitar). ‘Soutra’ became an official band in the spring of 2011 and have developed a style that is a unique blend of contemporary and traditional music. Future-trad-twang-step grooves.

Hailing from Shetland, Orkney, Lewis and Northumberland and meeting in the middle, Glasgow based, all female four piece Gria, form a fantastic cultural mix. They sympathetically blend their traditional and contemporary Scottish, Gaelic and English influences, self-penned tunes, and songs and tunes from the rest of the UK and beyond, with haunting harmonies and weaving melody lines.

The DJs Deejay, PVK has been making Glasgow dance for well over a decade and the list of artists he’s shared a bill with would make a crate-digger weep.

Hot Feet’s music lives and breathes in the countryside. Their recent Pete Roe-produced EP,‘Wood House’ was written in a small cabin on the east coast of Sweden and recorded in a remote studio in the Scottish Highlands, only accessible by boat.
The band draw together a range of musical influences including delta blues, sixties folk and world rhythms; clamorous in places, delicate in others.

Hark! What sounds are they coming forth from the deepest ocean? What creature could create such sub-aquatic basslines, maritime melodies and tidal rhythms? Why, look yonder, it’s Dolphin Boy: DJ, remixer, producer, mammal. Come swim with him once more at Insider Festival as he lays down a full Around the World experience through the medium of CHOONS!

It’s been a really slow, boring, quiet year for Rachel. She’s had only the never-ending touring around the UK and Europe, the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, the setting up of her own record label, the BBC Hogmanay performance, gigs up mountains, and of course all the usual folky superstar goings-on, to keep her busy.

Long regarded as one of Scotland’s finest songwriters, Karine’s last album, Traces, has left critics gushing and her mantelpiece sagging: shiny trophies include BBC Folk album of the year and Herald Album of the year.
Karine is a true standard bearer for contemporary Scottish folk music and song.

Paws thrash out true punk in the DIY tradition – scuzzy, snarling and raw, yet laden with plenty of melody and emotion. This year has seen them building a fanbase Around the World as they’ve taken on the US and Europe, but the Insider will be something of a homecoming for the three Highland lads.
“This is agonisingly painful music, poured straight from the heart – just as punk should be.” – BBC

Londoner Pete is no stranger to the Highland’s having graced the estimable Old Bridge Inn a number of times, both under his own steam and also accompanying some incredibly capable musicians who’s names you may just recognise: Lucy Rose, Nathaniel Rateliff and Laura Marling (OK, so they just stopped in for lunch. Still counts though). His much-anticipated debut solo album is set for a release on local label Middle of Nowhere Records (Rachel Sermanni), further cementing his honorary Highlander credentials.

The best of traditional Scottish music featuring Ross Ainslie (Treacherous Orchestra), Marc Clement (Session A9) and the eponymous Capercaillie/Session A9 fiddle legend himself.

And, as the party is taking place in Charlie’s back garden, it would be rude not to invite a few more of his friends round too. Expect a grandstand finish to Sunday evening’s adventure in the company of the country’s finest.

Urstan takes it’s title from a Lewis-specific Gaelic word for a celebration held at the birth of a new child. The album of the same name, born of the marriage between the disparate traditional styles of the Western Isles Gàidhealtachd and the Scottish lowlands is a wholly original, vibrant and instantly loveable work.

Based in Glasgow, Scotland and made up of 3 ski & snowboard instructors the unique trio rock a powerful AV show with live percussion! Fusing elements of funk, soul, party breaks, disco, and drum & bass. Combine this with a full percussion setup & audio-synced visuals, Shaka create a unique, funky and powerful live show.

Two Indian classical musicians and two Scottish traditional musicians combine their influences to play music which shows that there are no boundaries between them. Starting with their debut album ‘Reels and Ragas’ they have developed, over the past few years, a sound which reflects the broad common ground between their traditions.

The musical equivalent of screwball scramble. If the angular thrashing, insane schizophrenic three-way punk freakouts or zombie bating lyrics don’t get you, then the dancing horse will. A sound so powerful it has been know to rearrange the DNA of unsuspecting audience members.

The 35-strong street band is made up of players from Penguin’s Tuxedo Marching Band (Nairn) and Pace (Grantown-on-Spey) and aims to support local bands throughout the Highlands by providing their members with the opportunity to take their skills to the next level. The band is led by street band specialists, Marcus Britton (Oi Musica / Orkestra del Sol) in charge of brass / wind and Roddy Dickson (SambaYaBamba / Banda71) leading the drum section.

They have performed at Belladrum festival several times and are very much looking forward to their Insider Festival debut!

Surf-crack-skiffle-pop featuring a member from some other big band and three other members. Handsome, as well as other more musical qualities.
“up next we’ve got a new track from secret motorbikes” – ally mccrae, bbc introducing
“The Glasgow four-piece might have a terrible name” – The Herald Scotland

Described as a “creative polymath”, Singh’s creations constantly find their way moving through music, live performance, sound art, dance, poetry, film, theatre, science, textiles, education and research. In 2012 Jason was the first resident sound artist at the V&A Museum in London. He will be beatboxing with India Alba and also showing off his talents with a short set of his own.

From the western tip of Mull we bring you the Painting School pop-up restaurant for civilised feasting. A four-course Cairngorm tasting menu will be beautifully put together, by chef Pamela Brunton, matched with wine and served on the lawn.

Take a look at the Painting School Facebook page for a mouthwatering flavour of what’s in store!

Two sittings per day.

Booking highly recommended.

From Tokyo, via Edinburgh, Harajuku Kitchen aims to provide wholesome Japanese food, made with passion for authenticity and originality.

Harajuku Kitchen adheres to the fundamentals of Japanese cooking: respecting the ingredients and their natural flavours, cooking in the moment, and not doing too much.

Pioneering around Scotland in their 1961 Land Rover and pop-up ex-army kitchen, they use the best natural and local produce – roe venison, wild mushrooms, wild wood pigeon – wherever they may roam, giving us delicious food where we need it most! They will have two base camps this year, in our new Truckstop stage by the campsite for breakfasts and lunch and also in the main area.

The famous roasters will be bringing their soul saving, high voltage nectar in the form of a pop up caféteria on the lawn. It’s the go-to if you have urban-withdrawal symptoms – feel free to bring your MacBook and oversized glasses and do some ‘work’.

Award-winning wood-roasted pizzas and espresso. Authentically thin and crispy bases quick-fired in clay ovens and generously topped – there’s pizza, and then there’s Pizza…

Beautiful, light sponge, indulgent toppings and decadent amounts of fresh cream are the order of the day here. The original Potting Shed Tearoom is right next-door in the Inshriach Nursery, and they have recently opened in Kingussie also.

We can’t recommend a visit highly enough.

From the team behind Glasgow’s afternoon tea institution The Hidden Lane Tearoom comes a foray into the wilds of festival catering. They will be bringing a touch of old-school gentility to proceedings with breakfast, brunches, their famous afternoon teas and lunch-boxes!