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Idlewild to rock the Parliament

065/2007 | 29 June 2007 

One of Scotland’s most successful indie rock bands, Idlewild, are to headline the free Picnic at the Parliament event celebrating the Scottish Parliament’s Third Session on Saturday 30 June.

Idlewild and the rest of the exciting concert line-up at the Parliament’s landscaped gardens can be seen on stage at Holyrood and live on the Scottish Parliament’s website from midday.

Lead singer Roddy Woomble said:

"We are proud to be recognised throughout the world as a Scottish band that have a keen sense of identity, as individuals and as a group of people playing music together. After performing in Princes Street Gardens at the launch of the Parliament back in 1999 it’s now great to be playing in the grounds of the actual building.”

Other acts performing at Saturday’s event include Salsa Celtica, Blazin’ Fiddles, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2007, Catriona Watt as well as many more. They will take to the stage in the afternoon after Her Majesty The Queen’s address to the Parliament and traditional Riding down the Royal Mile.

Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP says:

"Idlewild are the ideal way to end this day of celebration for Scotland and allows everyone, including the Parliament, to let their hair down. Music has always played an important part of our culture and Idlewild are a perfect example of a great achievement by a modern local band.”

Members of the public are invited to watch the Parliament based events live in the landscaped gardens or over the internet at www.scottish.parliament.uk

Background

Idlewild formed in Edinburgh in 1995 and comprise of lead singer Roddy Woomble, guitarist Rod Jones, drummer Colin Newton, guitarist Allan Stewart and bassist Gareth Russell.

Their distinctive sound has matured from the early aggressive post-grunge qualities of 1997 debut EP ‘Captain’ via 1998 album ‘Hope Is Important’ and 2000 album ‘100 Broken Windows’.

Idlewild’s first widespread success came with the 2002 album ‘The Remote Part’ with their now trademark melodic, folk-rock style formed of looping guitars coupled with the band’s fast-paced percussion.

The band recorded ‘The Remote Part’ in the Scottish Highlands. During this time lead singer Roddy Woomble became friends with Scots Poet Laureate Edwin Morgan. Morgan co-wrote the final song on the album called ‘Scottish Fiction’ and also wrote a poem for the opening of the Holyrood building in 2004.

Idlewild’s fourth album ‘Warnings/ Promises’ debuted in the UK album charts’ top ten in 2005. The group went on the road that summer with U2, REM and the Pixies before finishing their tour dates with a Christmas performance at the Barrowlands in Glasgow.

Their most recent album ‘Make Another World’ was released earlier this year.

For further information on the opening ceremony, please visit:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/session3

Details on the guests and performers attending the day are available on the Parliament’s website.

A photography competition is also running on the day, with people invited to send in photographs of the day. Winning images will appear in an exhibition later this summer, alongside official Parliamentary photographs. More information.

Photography

The Parliament’s team of photographers will be capturing the day and can supply images to members of the media on request. Please contact the photography team on 0131 348 6269 for more information.

Broadcast

For broadcast standard footage, please visit:

www.thenewsmarket.com/scottishparliament

If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email scottishparliament@thenewsmarket.com

Festival of Politics - Friday 24 to Sunday 26 August 2007

The award winning Festival of Politics is now in its third year and presents a fascinating programme of politically-themed events. The programme will be launched in July.

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6265
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome: 18001 0131 348 5389
Email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk  

If you have any queries about the Session Three Ceremony :
please contact the Session 3 Team on 0131 348 6500
Email at session3@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk