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home » festivals » Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival » Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2011
what is special about Bella is the eclectic vibeBelladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2011 reviewThursday 11th August 2011 Saturday was sunny again, although chillier, and there was some (misplaced in many cases in retrospect) optimism amongst the campers that the site may dry out enough in time for us not to have to be towed out the following day. The festival was generally busier on Saturday but still felt hassle and stress-free. On the main stage The Amphetameanies put in a polished and popular afternoon performance and there was plenty of old school ska dancing going on in the garden from die hard bovver-booted and skin-headed fans as well as the hippies and younger new fans; this sort of happy mix is what I love about this chilled out festival where there is little or no aggro. In the Hothouse tent it was time to catch glam trash punks Diddums, who didn't disappoint with their leather jackets and shades and James Hetfield look-a-like guitarist. They claimed all their songs were about girls and many of them were, although one was in fact about "being the New York Dolls in the 1970s".
Aberdeen band The Lorelei, who reformed after a chance meeting at Bella in 2005, had the tea time slot at The Potting Shed. Their loyal followers enjoyed another storming performance from another Tartan Heart regular and folk punk favourite of mine. On the main stage it was the turn of Newton Faulkner, who despite a horrific accident earlier this year which saw the finger-picking guitar maestro break his wrist and dislocate his hand, still sounded fantastic, his talent and spirit of personality shining through. He was hugely popular with the Bella crowd, packing out the arena and filling the natural amphitheatre with his music, no mean feat for just one young man, a guitar and a drum. His love of performing was brought to the fore as he encouraged the audience to imagine that we were all on a big pirate ship, imploring us to let him be our captain. And he seemed genuinely surprised and a little bit delighted that for the first time during a haunting performance of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop' somebody crowd surfed.
Deacon Blue, who I always forget were huge in the late 80s/early 90s, were a disappointment to many at what was their first ever Scottish festival performance. The first couple of songs were lacklustre, and almost as if the band felt entitled to a rapturous reception without working for it. So it was off to see Hothouse stage headliners Kassidy for us. There's something about Glasgow's Kassidy that I can't quite put my finger on, but I kinda like them against my better judgement, and they are very popular with the kids (in my defence I don't like them as much as 'the kids' do but I may be too old and cynical for that). This is the third time I have seen them in less than a year and they grow more confident with each performance. They have a great look, some annoyingly catchy toons - 'Waking Up Sideways', 'Oh My God', 'Stray Cats', 'Take Another Ride' are the ones that stick in my head most - and beautiful four part harmonies which kinda suck you into their idealised world of nostalgia. Which is comforting I suppose, and sort of perfect for a chilled out tartan heart festival hundreds of miles away from a burning London.
It is the fact that it proves year after year that people can have a good time and a very decent party without having to drink themselves into oblivion or throwing up in front of everyone or getting all aggro on some misplaced grounds of injustice. It is about catching up with old friends, like-minded souls and spending quality time with your loved ones. It's about the kids. Quite simply, it is what everyday life should be like, if only everyday life didn't get in the way. review by Clare Damodaran photos by Clare Damodaran 
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