GLASTO TALENT WINNER’s STIRLING GIG
Lewis McLaughlin is performing at the Tolbooth on Saturday 15 July. Photo credit Rory Barnes.
Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter Lewis McLaughlin, who won the coveted title of Glastonbury Emerging Talent Winner 2022, is set to headline a highly anticipated gig in Stirling.
He’ll take to the Tolbooth stage with his full band on Saturday 15 July as part of his UK tour.
The musician’s remarkable talent has attracted a loyal fanbase and a host of nominations from ‘Best Acoustic’ artist (SAMA) to 'Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ (Scots Trad Awards).
Lewis will appear with his full band. Photo credit Amy Heycock.
The singer has also caught the eye of music media, from featuring on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and BBC Radio Scotland to appearing in NME and Rolling Stone UK.
Reflecting on his recent achievements, Lewis said. "The whole Glastonbury competition was a surreal experience for me; I never expected to win something like that.
"Playing at last year’s festival was such an incredible experience. It’s something that I'd always dreamed of as a musician. Hearing folk sing back my song 'Summer' on those fields was a standout moment."
He added: “The whole thing has really brought my career on in leaps and bounds.
“It's mad looking at all the folk playing at Glastonbury this year and thinking back to last year; it still feels like a bit of a fever dream."
Lewis has received a host of nominations in the past year.
Lewis also expressed his gratitude for the nominations he received at last year’s Scottish Alternative Music Awards and Scots Trad Awards.
He added: “To be nominated for some awards back home was so affirming to me as an artist. Events like the SAMAs and the Trad Awards are just such a lovely celebration of how buzzing the Scottish music scene is at the minute, and it’s always a joy to be a part of things like that.”
From tear-jerking ballads to indie-folk anthems, the Stirling set will include songs from McLaughlin’s critically acclaimed debut album which was released on Andy Monaghan's (Frightened Rabbit) Mono Hands Records in March 2022.
Lewis said: "Most of the songs in the setlist for this tour have been gigged many times over the years in many different formats. But I always try to keep it varied and engaging, playing my more well-known songs alongside a handful of new and unreleased ones!"
Lewis described what influences his songwriting: “I’m mainly inspired by my own life experience. Themes such as nature, identity and my connection to the world around me always seem to come up.
“I try to keep up with what’s going on in the music scene. I’m always on the hunt for new songwriters and albums to discover. Whether that’s current artists like Ben Howard and Laura Marling, or classic songwriters such as Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell.
“Losing myself in another songwriter’s world and style is always so inspiring to me and drives me to further my own ideas in the form of songs.”
Lewis has been back in the studio recording new material.
Lewis has also been working collaboratively with other artists since he was discovered.
He said: “I've been writing and recording in the studio quite a lot recently. Some recent collaborative sessions I've done have been with Strabe and Tanita Tikaram. It's always a joy to connect with other songwriters and to get to add my own personality to their music.
“I’ve also been working hard on my own music, so be sure to keep an eye on my socials to stay up to date on what I'm up to."
Supporting Lewis McLaughlin on stage for this special Stirling gig are talented trio Silk & Salt, Glasgow-based musicians Grace Morton, Katie Allen and Iona Reid.
Tickets are available now on stirlingevents.org