North music students to perform at Inverness showcase

31st May 2017

North music students will be showcasing their talents in Inverness ahead of Scotland's leading creative industries festival. Liam Ross (22) from Invergordon and Jamie Bacon (21) from Wick will be playing at a University of the Highlands and Islands' showcase at Mad Hatters on the eve of XpoNorth.

Liam Ross began playing guitar at the age of eleven and is now in the fourth year of a BA (Hons) in applied music at North Highland College UHI. He composes his own material which has influences ranging from Celtic folk to artists such as Fleetwood Mac and Kate Bush. Liam will deliver an acoustic set which showcases his signature finger picking style.

He said: "I look forward to bringing my finger picking style and unique guitar playing to this event. Be sure to expect original songs paired alongside material from bands such as Dire Straits and U2 like you’ve never heard them before."

Jamie Bacon, in the fourth year of a BA (Hons) in applied music at Perth College UHI, lists Biffy Clyro and Frightened Rabbit among his influences. Writing his own material since the age of twelve, Jamie has a developed an ambient, indie sound with soft guitar solos and smooth vocals.

He said: "It’s a massive honour to play this event, coming from the highlands XpoNorth was always the event to play if you wanted to be a fully-fledged musician, so I am incredibly excited to be playing this showcase."

Liam and Jamie will be joined by music students from around the University of the Highlands and Islands at the showcase event. The gig has been organised by lecturers to provide students with an opportunity to perform ahead of XpoNorth and to give the public a taste of some of the upcoming musical talent in the region.

The University of the Highlands and Islands' showcase takes place at Mad Hatters in Hootananny, Inverness, from 8pm to 11pm on Tuesday 6 June. Entry is free.

PHOTO
Liam Ross