THE Hope Over Fear rally hits Glasgow’s George Square on Saturday to mark a year since the historic referendum vote.
Speakers from various political parties and organisations will take to the stage to address the crowd, but among the speakers there is a wealth of musical talent on show.
In the build-up to the event, we take a look at some of the acts which will play to the thousands gathered this weekend.
Gerry Cinnamon
The Castlemilk singer-songwriter’s pre-referendum hit Hope Over Fear may almost be more well-known than the independence supporting group itself.
Breaking his musical silence just days before the vote, Cinnamon’s self-recorded song went viral online, becoming the most viewed, and arguably best-known, independence-related song.
Although famous for his Yes flavoured hit, the songwriter has one of the best back catalogues of any Scottish artist, and had already sold out King Tut’s in Glasgow two times before his first single was even released.
Soon to release his debut album, which was financed within a matter of days of a crowdfunding campaign being launched, the excitement surrounding the singer has been growing.
Songs such as Sometimes, Fickle McSelfish Gerry’s Lullaby and recent single Kampfire Vampire, are all already live favourites, and his T Break performance at this year’s T in the Park was one of the standout shows of the weekend.
As well as returning to the Hope Over Fear stage, where he played to thousands of fans last year, Gerry will be touring the country in October, kicking off in Greenock on October 1 and ending at Buskers in Dundee on October 11.
Trongate Rum Riots
Glasgow’s Trongate Rum Riots, right, are one of the liveliest bands about.
The nine-piece folk punk collective released their first EP Maria of the Sea two years ago, and have since established themselves as favourites in the Scottish live music circuit.
Taking their very own brand of “turbo sea shanties” to festivals such as Eden, Butefest and Mugstock this summer with the help of their crowdfunded van, the Trongate Rum Riots are certain to add a certain bounciness to Saturday’s proceedings.
Describing themselves as a “good-time drinking band”, they have always tried to steer clear of forming political affiliations but have made an exception for the Hope Over Fear rallies.
Although singer Darren admitted he prefers playing smaller gigs, the band featured at several of the George Square events last year, providing some much-needed relief between speeches.
Hunters Quay, one of the band’s more considered songs, is a real standout, with songs such as Hang Me and Down in the Hold showing off the band at their rowdy best.
Griogair Labhruidh
From Ballachulish in the Highlands, Griogair, as well as being a well-respected folk artist, is Scotland’s biggest Gaelic hip-hop act.
Performing at the Commonwealth Games and Celtic Connections as a Gaelic singer and bagpipe player, Griogair had always written poetry and decided to pursue his poetic ambitions through the form of hip-hop.
Hoping to release a full hip-hop album in the Gaelic language, Griogair said that the rhythms and rhymes found in the traditional language work incredibly well with the hip-hop format.
Speaking to The National earlier this year, the Highland musician said: “I’ve been a Gaelic poet for years and always found this tradition to be one of the deepest, most complicated traditions anywhere in the world ... People don’t hear the Gaelic struggle.’’
As well as highlighting the Gaelic struggle, Griogair was an active and vocal part of the Yes campaign and played at the last HOF rally in April, becoming the first Gaelic hip-hop artist to perform alongside a Ghanaian drum band.
“You can’t help but be political when you feel the pressures of a dying culture on your shoulders,” said Griogair. “Traditionally, Scottish art was always gritty, it was often satirical and old Gaelic is full of swearing. When you put it that way, Gaelic hip-hop makes a lot of sense.”
Twa Tenors
The Twa Tenors are possibly the most surprising musical act to emerge from Scotland over the past year.
Singing opera numbers through to Proclaimers and Neil Diamond hits, taxi driver Wayne O’Hare and gas-meter reader Paul Sullivan are quickly becoming famed for their great voices and quick-witted humour.
The pair played the Caird Hall in their home city of Dundee earlier this year, and reached another milestone last month when they got asked to perform for Nicola Sturgeon and hundreds others at the SNP’s annual Glasgow fundraising event.
“It’s just an unbelievable honour. When I told Paul he thought I was winding him up. I can’t believe we’re going to get to meet the First Minister,” Wayne said.
“We’ve sung outside of Dundee before, but never as far as Glasgow. We’re just thrilled and honoured to have been asked.”
Describing themselves as “two lads fae the schemes with operatic dreams”, they’re an unlikely pair, but that adds to the Twa Tenors’ appeal. One of the humblest acts around and guaranteed to go down well with the crowd on Sunday.
Anton And The Colts
Rock’n’roll four-piece from Glasgow Anton And The Colts, right, may be just be emerging, but its members have been established on the Scottish music scene for some time.
The experience shows, with the band crafting a sound that is instantly accessible, taking influence from classic rock’n’roll bands and combining it with the bluegrass feel of their folk roots.
Ted Christopher
The acoustic singer songwriter from Stirling has become a local favourite, relentlessly playing gigs around central Scotland’s many pubs and venues.
As well as his smaller venue gigs, Ted has become a staple of HOF events, singing of historical events and days of the past.
Kevin Gore
The Leith singer-songwriter will be well known to those attending Yes events last year, with his songs such as Independence Day and We Are The 45 touching upon the campaign.
Far from just a one-trick pony, the Lothian artist has a massive back catalogue, including songs such as The Waves of Yearning, which gained worldwide recognition.
Tom Urie
The former Chewin’ the Fat and current River City star, right, released his self-titled album in 2011 and will be performing as well as giving a short speech on Saturday.
One More Band
The all-female six-piece band from Dundee, who are HOF favourites, will aim to get the crowd singing along with their pop covers.
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