Harris musician Isla Scott has been selected to take part in Scotland’s esteemed youth music touring project Hit The Road, and will join Sin-é from Dundee, Glasgow’s Holly J and Devin Casson from Galashiels. Each musician will play a headline gig in their hometown, and supporting slots at each other venue.
Isla Scott from the Isle of Harris is a talented force in the trad music scene. At 17 years old, the singer-songwriter has accomplished a distinctive musical identity that blends the rich heritage of traditional Gaelic song with a mix of indie, pop, and folk influences. She brings a modern perspective to the age-old melodies of her island roots.
Hebrides audiences will have the chance to enjoy a special live show from her and discover the music of three other emerging Scottish talents in what is set to be a fantastic night of music. Alt-pop act Devin Casson will showcase her melodic guitar driven songs, Holly J will share her modern R&B and pop influenced sounds and Indie-folk act Sin-é will showcase her thought-provoking sound.
Hit The Road Project Manager Michael Cassidy said: “We’re so excited to be bringing Hit the Road to Harris this year, with the incredible Isla Scott as our headliner. The standard of talent among everyone who applied this year was exceptionally high so it was a tough choice but we couldn’t be happier with our lineup for the December tour.
“We hope everyone involved has a great experience touring with Hit the Road and that it gives them a real insight into the world of professional music as well as the chance to perform across Scotland and showcase their music to different audiences. It would be fantastic to see a full house at Talla Na Mara next month to support our amazing performers!”
Since its inception in 2013, Hit The Road has been instrumental in aiding the journeys of aspiring young musicians across the country, offering a platform for growth, networking and artistic expression. The project has been a catalyst for countless success stories in the Scottish music scene, having supported over 300 musicians across 120 live performances and delivered hundreds of industry sessions.
As well as giving young musicians the chance to tour across Scotland and perform headline shows in their hometowns, the incredible initiative, run by the Scottish Music Centre, provides access to a series of workshops led by seasoned industry professionals. These workshops cover a wide spectrum of topics, from live sound engineering to stage production, equipping young artists with essential knowledge and skills to take forward into future careers.
All Hit The Road gigs held throughout the touring season are hosted in safe venues across Scotland which are suitable for ages 14+.