2024 Main Event Bands
Bad Actress
Bad Actress has been taking the UK by storm since 2021 with their ‘good time’ blues and rock and roll. Originally starting in 2018, this band consists of lead guitarist Chick McFarlane, Toby Michael as lead vocalist, Mark ‘Mork’ Hudson on bass, Tommy B also on guitar, and Lui Q on drums. Originally from Aberdeenshire, this band is perfect for fans of Mötley Crüe, Steel Panther, and Motorhead.
Their music is available on all major platforms including their most recent single ‘Does Your Mother Know’ out in July 2024 which was inspired by ABBA’s hit classic. Their music consists of a mix of covers and originals, and they describe themselves as a no-nonsense band’ who ‘tackle subjects such as road rage and life on the universal credit, all the big issues’.
Bad Actress has recently returned from doing a UK tour this summer, performing at Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham and Carlisle. They have also this year been opening for Dead Man’s Whiskey in Glasgow and Collateral in Sheffield. In recent years they performed at Winterfest, Sheffield’s o2 second stage at the Hard Rock Festival, and mainstage at NWOCR at the Leicester O2.
This band will leave you wanting more. Bad Actress is an absolutely must-see for any music fan at Rockfest this year!
The Hostiles
Inspired by bands such as NOFX, Reel Big Fish, and Capdown, this energetic and unique band burst into the music scene in 2001. Big Cheese Magazine instantly described this 5-piece ska punk band as ‘infectious and overflowing with energy’ following their debut album 'Always Looking Forward'.
The Hostiles consists of Joshua Barron on guitar and vocals, Bob McBride on drums and vocals, Joe Stainke on Trombone and Kenny Shand also on trombone. Sean Arnold, who usually plays in Punk band Goodbye Blue Monday, will also be making a guest appearance with the Hostiles playing the bass. Josh originates from America, while the rest of the band are Scottish, resulting in their music being a fantastic mix of ‘sunny’ US ska-punk and Scottish ska-core.
The Hostiles have only grown in popularity since their debut album, with a four-week European tour, and tracks on compilations in Japan, the USA, and the UK. In more recent times, they have recently performed at ButeFest and Nice N Sleazy in Glasgow.
Their music is driven and energetic, with the mix of trombone elements adding an uplifting and bouncy energy to the band. Available on all major platforms, this band will leave you dancing and ready for anything!
Trowsholm
Trowsholm is a uniquely blended folk metal band, hailing from Shetland. Combining folk instruments and melodies with chunky metal riffs and rough vocals, they make for an exciting addition to our lineup!
The combined Talents of Callum Anderson on guitar and vocals, Aiden Peterson on Drums, and Tom Smith on bass and vocals, all tied together with Arthur Poleson’s energetic keyboard and vocals, bring us something new and original from our northerly sister isles. Having been together as a bedroom band since 2017, they released their first single in April 2022 and have since released more singles, an EP, and a self-titled album.
Trowsholm began their live performances in April 2023 with an acoustic set at the Lerwick Tall Ships, followed by their debut full performance at Riffmas 2023, a Shetland Christmas rock and metal event showcasing some of the big names in Shetland’s non-traditional music scene, organised by Trowsholm with the help of others in the scene. Since then they have made a name for themselves playing gigs around the UK including Aberdeen and London, and Oinkfest and Rising North festivals back home in Shetland.
Not content to rest quietly, they are performing in Edinburgh, Yorkshire, and Glasgow before joining us in Orkney for the Rock Festival! You can keep up with them on Facebook and Instagram, and their music can be found on YouTube, Spotify, and Bandcamp.
The Chair
The Chair is an Orkney-based folk band with unrivalled energy and enthusiasm on the stage. Having recently celebrated 20 years as a band this year, The Chair is still going strong.
Described as Orkney Stomp with an edge, this talented group can throw a right good shindig, as anyone who has seen them before can attest to. Their music is described by Celtic Connections as a “benignly hedonistic version of Viking berserker spirit with a formidable breadth of musicianship”. They perform a mix of blues, rock, folk, klezmer and so much more. In 2020 they released their third album; Orkney Monster, which captures the band's infectious energy and perfectly showcases their amazing range and skill.
As the largest band in our main acts at Rockfest this year, The Chair is made up of 8 incredibly talented musicians: Erik Laughton on drums, Robbie Thomason on percussion, Andrew Gifford on bass and Gavin Firth on guitar. Brian Cromarty plays the mandolin, and the banjo and does vocals, alongside Douglas Montgomery and Kenny Ritch both on fiddles, and Bob Gibbon on accordion.
The Chair is the perfect example of the skill and talent which makes Orkney the incredible place it is, and is not to be missed.
Höxä
Höxä is an Orkney-based ‘blues and doom’ band, who are known for their songs such as ‘What time is the bus to Stromness?’ and ‘Oatcakes Folly’.
With a new EP out soon ‘Piss and Coffee’ (Working Title), Höxä is definitely a band worth following and we are expecting many exciting things from them.
This up-and-coming band is made up of Eoin, David and Andrew. They came out into the music scene in Orkney with a bang in 2023, and were the opening act of the Orkney Rock Festival at the Auld Motorhoose last year, and made such an impression on us we just had to invite them back as a main act this year. With their enthusiastic and powerful presence on stage, this band is one that can not be missed.
The Fiction
The Fiction formed in Shetland in 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown, remotely, in every sense. Four alternative rockers, clinging to alternative rock, shared ideas and files across the internet and over time produced their first single – ‘Boneyard’, lyrically inspired by the Mandalorian TV series, musically by the Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked vultures…. With a dash of Tom Morello for flavour.
Boneyard was followed by ‘Light it Up’ and soon after the ‘Revelations’ EP was completed with the much heavier ‘Shapeshifter’ and finally the most accomplished track, ‘Eclipse’. On August 9th 2024, The Fiction released their first album ‘Divination’ which will be showcased at the Rising North Festival, and also at the Orkney Rock Festival this year.
Comprised of Kierann Topp on guitar/ vocals, Barrie Scobie on bass, Chris Coles on drums, and Joe Robertson on guitar, the band cite amongst their influences Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Muse, The Pixies, Audioslave, Them Crooked Vultures and Royal Blood amongst others.
You can check them out via their Instagram @thefictionofficial, Facebook as The Fiction Shetland, and on their Spotify at The Fiction.
Tarysian
Next up we have Tarysian, a Progressive metal/rock band from Glasgow. Our very own Paul Harcus from Orkney plays the drums for this upbeat and memorable group, alongside Connor Traill on guitar and vocals, and Ruwen Synovzik on vocals and bass.
Formed in 2020, this group is described as “a heavy, groovy and alluring” and it is impossible to miss their passion and talent on stage. Perfect for fans of Rush, Dream Theater and Yes, this band will make you want to rock all night long.
The name Tarysian is a mash-up of Tartarus (The Ancient Greek equivalent of Hell) and Elysian (The Ancient Greek equivalent of Heaven), and their love of history comes across in their music with singles such as ‘Splendour’, which is a high tempo tale of jewel traders in ancient Persia. Best known for their epic riffs and incredible vocals, this band is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
Growing from their debut EP in 2021, this year alone they have released 4 singles and their music is available on all major platforms.
Blackfyre Rising
One band you will not want to miss is Blackfyre Rising. Making their own spin on the genre, this hard rock band is inspired by the likes of Alter Bridge and Black Stone Cherry. Starting in 2018, this exciting band hailing from Edinburgh thundered onto the stage in their debut gig in Bannermans, Edinburgh on Hogmanay 2018.
This was swiftly followed by many gigs in the time since in Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond, and they have even shared the stage with our friends from Shetland, Ten Tonne Dozer. Over the last two years, they have released 4 singles, and are currently working on their debut EP.
On vocals and rhythm guitar, we have James, along with Tom on drums, Magnus on bass and Dave on backing vocals and lead guitar. This tight-knitted group is driven by their mutual love of music and the desire to connect with the audience through their performance. We are excited to give them a warm Orkney welcome, and know they will make a splash on the main stage!
