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Jiggin'
on the jetties
By
Davie Gardner
AS the sun, hopefully, rises over the hundreds
of yardarms gracing Lerwick Harbour on Monday 9th August it will
light up the largest sailing event in Shetland's long maritime
history.
It will also signal the start of the biggest
social event these islands are ever likely to witness - the Tall
Ships party in Lerwick will make the millennium celebrations
on the mainland look like a Sunday afternoon finger-buffet at
Henley regatta.
And what's the vital ingredient for any good Shetland party?
Music, of course! And during the four days that the ships will
be in port there will be plenty of that vital component. Around
60 local bands and musicians are already 'signed up' to deliver
the all-important goods. Favourite sons Rock,Salt and Nails,
Drop the Box and Fiddlers Bid will be headin' hom for the event,
while stalwarts as diverse as Pete Stack and Rayburns, Bongshang,
Jim Halcrow's Band, The Red Vans, The Bonxies, The Sheila Henderson
Band, Filska, Suppository Business, Trevor Hunter, Mahogany,
High Strings and Hom Bru, to name but a few, will fly the local
musical flag. Speaking of flying - old friends The Felsons will
be flying in for the event, to rock us to the roots, fresh from
touring with The Mavericks - steady, ladies. While firm Shetland
(and now world) favourites Shooglenifty will finish off the Wednesday
night proceedings on the main stage. Okay, so you were expecting
Oasis. Believe me, for this kind of party these guys are probably
better.
So the old saying something for everyone is certainly true on
this occasion. The music programme will feature everything from
techno to tangos, all fed through the highest quality sound systems
ever to come to Shetland.
Run by Glasgow-based sound engineer Tommy Gorman, these 'rigs'
have graced prestigious events such as "T in the Park"
and Edinburgh's Hogmanay - simply the best.
How will they all fit in? you ask. Not easily, for sure. But
with the biggest stage ever erected in Shetland situated at Holmsgarth,
another outside the fishmarket, the Shetland Arts Trust 'Spiegeltent'
on Victoria Pier and, of course, the Clickimin Centre, we certainly
mean to give it our best shot.
So there you are, lots to shout, or perhaps sing, about. After
all the friggin' in the riggin' it'll be jiggin' on the jetties
for the Tall Ships crews. Will they last the pace? We won't have
long to find out - less than five months to go - Heavens above!!!
Oh, and if any of you have ever fancied giving a hand to work
a stage during a gig, here's the ultimate chance to get near
your musical heroes. We could do with all the help we can get
during those four hectic days and nights. Give us a buzz on 694001.
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