Our top 5 unmissable sets at this year's Belladrum festival

We have handpicked our 5 essential, must-see sets from this year's impressive Belladrum festival lineup.

Last updated: 19th Jul 2019

Originally published: 17th Jul 2019

The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has grown rapidly in popularity and attendance since its inception back in 2004. The festival, held on the Belladrum Estate in Inverness, Scotland, has hosted an impressive list of both homegrown and international artists over the years, from Sister Sledge to Primal Scream, The charlatans and Echo and The Bunnymen.

This years bill follows in the same suit, with an equally impressive programme of acclaimed artists gracing the festivals 7 stages. But when so many exceptional artists are booked to perform over one weekend, it can be hard to whittle down an essential checklist of your must-sees. Never fear, we at Skiddle are here to assist you in this sometimes difficult choice-making process. So, without further ado, here are our top 5 acts to catch live at this years Belladrum Festival.

Lewis Capaldi

The cheeky Scot has been enjoying life in the limelight as of late. His recent debut album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent reached number one in the UK and Irish music charts, much to the delight of a certain Gallagher brother. He's performed sets at multiple festivals over the summer, appearing at this years Glastonbury Festival and TRNSMT Festival, and is confirmed to appear on stage at Camp Bestival, Tramlines, Boardmasters and, of course, Belladrum Festival. We recommend catching Lewis in his native land, if not for a mass sing-along then for the first-class bants on offer.

SOAK

The 23-year-old, Mercury Award-nominated, soulful folk artist is back making music and performing live after taking some time out to write and release her brand new album Grim Town. The Northern Irish artist, who was initially championed by the BBC's 6 Music radio show, has grown from a naive teen into a well-rounded performer. Expanding on her hugely successful debut release Before We Forgot How To Dream, lyrics throughout the new record seem more considered, coming from a place of personal struggle with mental health in the songwriters' life. Her stage presence and confidence in front of an audience has also developed tenfold, exuding an artist who is evidently full of self-belief. Make sure to catch this still-rising star on Friday 2nd August. 

Elbow

Legendary Manchester band Elbow will headline the first day of the festival. The four-piece, consisting of band members Guy Garvey, Mark Potter, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, and Pete Turner have been writing music together since 1990. They have released seven studio albums, two of which went platinum in the UK, collected two Ivor Novellos, a Mercury Music Prize award and a BRIT award for Best British Band. The band has also performed on Glastonbury's Pyramid stage on 3 occasions, with many regarding the bands' performances as some of the greatest Glastonbury sets of all time. An absolute must addition to this list. Be sure to catch Elbow, a band at the very top of their game, masters of their craft. You will not be disappointed. 

Johnny Marr

A man who needs little introduction. Another Manchester legend, famed for his involvement with one of the most beloved bands to come out of northwest England, The Smiths. The guitarist, who arguably produced the era-defining sound of the '80s writing tracks such as How Soon Is Now and What Difference Does It Make?, has been busy releasing his own material, Call The Comet, and performing it live at festivals across the country. One of his more notable performances of the year took place on Worthy Farm at this years Glastonbury Festival. The 55-year-old came on during The Killers headline set to perform Smiths track This Charming Man. A moment which many will never forget. We suggest being present for Johnny's set on Friday evening, you never know who might join him on stage... 

The Sugarhill Gang

Our final choice is one you just can't afford to miss. A three-piece made up of members Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee, who brought Hip-Hop to the mainstream, hailing from Englewood, New Jersey in the United States of America - The Sugarhill Gang. The trio were the first-ever to release a rap record that became a top 40 hit on the Billboard Charts, Rappers Delight in 1979. They went on to release 8th Wonder and the hugely popular Apache, for which the act is most commonly known. Remember Will and Carlton busting out moves to Apache on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? We do! Make sure you witness this heritage act and jump on it with the thousands of other attendees at this years Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. 

Tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival are available below.

Image credit: BW Music Photography