Idlewild to headline Help Musicians Scotland launch gig

Idlewild fans have an opportunity to see Roddy Woomble and co up close and personal in an upcoming acoustic gig at King Tut’s in Glasgow on 1 February. The intimate show is in celebration of the opening of HMScotland, the permanent Scottish branch of UK charity Help Musicians and its major first campaign, #RootedInScotland.

Help Musicians UK is the leading independent charity for those working in the UK music industry, and the aim of HMScotland is to specifically focus on Scottish musicians by providing bespoke Scottish programming and campaigns. Importantly, all of the funds raised in Scotland will stay in Scotland to help support the industry and its needs.

Idlewild are fresh from playing a brace of shows at Glasgow’s O2 ABC just before Christmas where they celebrated the 15th anniversary of third LP The Remote Part, and the band are currently at work on their eighth studio album, a follow-up to 2015’s Everything Ever Written. For a possible preview of what's in store watch Idlewild's acoustic performance of The Remote Part single You Held The World In Your Arms, from our series of acoustic sessions with the band in 2015, in the player below.

Set to perform alongside Idlewild at the HMScotland launch are a trio of up-and-coming Scottish acts, all of whom have received support from Help Musicians in the past – Be Charlotte, Indigo Velvet and SKJØR.

As well as launching #RootedInScotland, HMScotland will use the launch to outline the charity’s plans for Scotland. “After a year of listening and reflecting on the needs of the Scottish music scene, I’m excited to see HMScotland launch in a few weeks," said Claire Gevaux, director of HMScotland. "I look forward to sharing more of our ambitions at the launch on 1 February 2018 when we will set down our permanent roots across the whole of Scotland.”

Rod Jones of Idlewild commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to support the launch of Help Musicians Scotland at one of our favourite venues, King Tut’s. We’ve played some really special gigs at the venue, the first 21 years ago & a five night stint in 2008, so it’s truly an honour to return for such a great cause. Help Musicians Scotland do amazing work to support musicians at all stages in their career. We’re planning a special acoustic set for the evening and fans should expect a fitting set-list to mark a landmark moment for the Scottish music industry.”

Tickets for #RootedInScotland at King Tut’s on 1 Feb go on-sale on Wed 10 Jan via Ticketmaster. Tickets are priced at £15 with ALL proceeds going to the charity.

For more info on #RootedInScotland, visit rootedinscotland.org.uk