The Search Is On: Can Off Axis Introduce Us to Belladrum’s Next Big Thing?

For us at Netsounds, Belladrum has never just been about the headliners.

Some of our favourite festival memories have come from wandering into one of the smaller stages, hearing a band we’d never come across before and leaving convinced we’d just discovered our new favourite act. That’s the magic of Belladrum,  you never know when you’re about to stumble across an artist you’ll be talking about for years to come.

That’s why we’ve always looked forward to seeing what Off Axis brings to the festival.

As one of Scotland’s leading champions of emerging music, Off Axis has built a reputation for giving rising artists the platform they deserve. Whether it’s through gigs, showcases or festival stages, they’ve spent years introducing audiences to exciting new talent, many of whom have gone on to much bigger things. Their Seedlings Stage and Bella Bar line-ups have become essential stops for anyone looking to discover the next generation of musicians.

Looking through the Off Axis line-up, there are already plenty of artists catching our attention.

FAEDA – Highland heroes on the rise

If there’s one band arriving at Belladrum with serious momentum, it’s FAEDA.

The Thurso indie-rock quartet have already shared stages with Sam Fender, The View and The Lottery Winners. Netsounds are already big fans and they’ve also earned praise from NME, Clash and The Scotsman. Their reputation for explosive live performances means they’ll be right near the top of our must-see list.

brittle – One of the Highlands’ best-kept secrets

We’ve heard plenty of good things about brittle, whose blend of shoegaze, alternative rock and soaring dual vocals has been turning heads across Scotland.

After selling out headline shows and supporting Declan Welsh & The Decadent West, Belladrum feels like the perfect stage for them to reach an even bigger audience.

The Demographic – Inverness flying the flag

It’s always great to see local bands making waves, and The Demographic are doing exactly that.

Inspired by The Strokes, DMA’S and Catfish and the Bottlemen, they’re quickly becoming one of the Highlands’ brightest young indie bands. We’re expecting plenty of local support when they take to the Seedlings Stage.

Tom Collins – A rising voice from Wales

Welsh singer-songwriter Tom Collins is another artist with plenty of momentum behind him.

Already earning support from BBC Radio Wales and performing at FOCUS Wales, he’s developing a reputation as one of Wales’ brightest emerging talents. If you’re a fan of honest songwriting with a touch of Sam Fender influence, make sure you add him to your Belladrum schedule.

PELOWSKA – Atmospheric alternative pop

Edinburgh duo PELOWSKA bring something a little different to the weekend.

Their atmospheric alternative pop has already attracted more than 200,000 streams while earning support from BBC Introducing, The Skinny and Amazing Radio. They’re one of those acts who could quietly steal the weekend.

Boy With Apple – International flavour

Off Axis has never been afraid to look beyond Scotland, and Swedish dream-pop outfit Boy With Apple are proof of that.

Having already appeared at SXSW, Roskilde Festival and New Colossus Festival in New York, they’ll bring shimmering guitars, dreamy vocals and a touch of Scandinavian cool to Belladrum.

Celebrating Highland talent

One of the things we love most about this year’s Off Axis programme is just how much Highland talent is represented.

Alongside FAEDA and The Demographic, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Lewis Wiles, whose songwriting has earned support from BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio, and The Shine, whose blend of Britpop melodies and acoustic folk has won them fans across Scotland.

We’re also looking forward to seeing Niamh MacLennan from Applecross. Her recent singles Homebody and Drifter have already received support from BBC Introducing Scotland, and it’s fantastic to see another Highland artist making her Belladrum debut through Off Axis.

Plenty more to discover

The deeper we looked into the line-up, the harder it became to narrow down our watchlist.

Irish singer-songwriter Mark Hegan arrives with Northern Ireland Music Prize nominations and support from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 already behind him, while Glasgow favourites Diving Horse continue to build a reputation for expansive indie rock and unforgettable live performances.

Elsewhere, we’ll also be trying to catch sets from Irish folk newcomer Cathal Fitz, Caithness indie-rock outfit KATANES, Aberdeen DIY rockers Delirium, Borders band The Shambles, and fellow Highland act In Crisis.

One thing’s for certain – there won’t be enough hours in the weekend to see everyone we’d like to.

All photos ©  Alan Cruickshank