Countdown to Belladrum 2023: Last tickets for Tartan Heart Festival

This time next week, thousands will head north for one of the biggest summer festivals on the calendar.

Once more the Tartan Heart will beat, fuelled with a formidable line-up of acts to rival many across the UK.

A headline trio of Travis, Bastille and Sigrid is as strong as there has ever been at Bella, with the likes of KT Tunstall, Sam Ryder, The Zutons, Alabama 3, Peat & Diesel, Kiefer Sutherland and others heading up the offering.

A blistering contingent of emerging Scottish acts area also included, such as Dead Pony, Rianne Downey, Dylan John Thomas, Poster Paints, Katie Gregson-Macleod and Berta Kennedy, along with an impressive sprinkling of hidden gems.

Sales for the three-day shindig have been strong, with attendees now passing the 2022 tally. The last remaining tickets have since been released, with just seven days to go.

Dougie Brown, event organiser, feels this year's festival is among the strongest put together.

QUITE THE OFFERING: There will be 'something for everyone' at Belladrum 2023. Picture by Paul Campbell

"It's a packed programme for all ages," he told The Weekender. "That's the unique thing about Bella: there is literally something there for babies, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between.

"The walled garden is one of the more quiet areas on site and we have things like street theatre, a steampunk area with craft beers, and some other weird and wonderful performers.

"And we go from the quirky, educational things to also having some massive musical acts like Travis, Bastille and Sigrid, as well as Highland heroes Peat & Diesel, which will be another big attraction.

"Another one that people are getting pretty excited about is having a proper Hollywood legend in Kiefer Sutherland appearing this year, bringing his country act to Bella. He's incredible, and think there will be a lot of people getting into the tent for that one."

"I think this year is one of our strongest years for headliners," the organiser continued.

"We love having those classic bands like Travis, but we are also looking to the next generation. I think we're giving Sigrid her first UK festival headline slot – and as far as up-and-coming artists go, she is one of the best around.

"I saw her at the Usher Hall and it was one of the best live shows I'd ever seen.

QUITE THE OFFERING: There will be 'something for everyone' at Belladrum 2023. Picture by Paul Campbell

"And Bastille are a bit of a legendary pop-rock band, who have multiple hits and have sold out huge shows. They are someone we have been trying to get here for some time."

For Dougie, there is no such thing as a typical Belladrum band.

Over the years, the team have made it their mission to pack the line-up with the unexpected. There has to be something new to discover; something so different to the norm.

One key element is making sure that a range of genres are represented, thereby appealing to as many different demographics as possible.

Dougie said: "We look at Glastonbury and a lot of people who go there will say they are not there for the headliners. Festivals are about everything else that's happening – catching incredible acts you've never heard of beforehand and coming away thinking: 'Wow, I didn't expect that'.

"When we are putting offers out to artists, sometimes they'll look at the line-up and who is on before them and after them, and so often we get agents and the like saying the only festival that this artist would play before and after bands like these is Belladrum, and maybe Glastonbury.

"And that's what we love. There are not many festivals that would programme like us. That's part of the charm at Bella, because you never know quite what's coming next."

QUITE THE OFFERING: There will be 'something for everyone' at Belladrum 2023. Picture by Paul Campbell

There is, of course, no festival without an audience and Bella is eager to garner as much community feedback as possible.

Organisers constantly reflect on what has worked, or what has not worked in previous years, while always keeping an ear out for future suggestions.

For instance, last year, the decision was made to make the second stage an outdoor area. And after proving so successful with festival-goers, the Bella team have opted to do it again.

"Our audience is so engaged," Dougie said. "We are so lucky that they care so much about the festival. And, really, it is their festival, we are just the guardians of it on their behalf. That's the way it's always been.

"Some people will spend the entire weekend with us and only see one or two bands, or never even go to the main stage. They'll be tucked away someplace, listening to some poetry, taking a whisky cocktail-making class. There's just so much to do."

The full line-up, along with stage times, is available online now.

Tickets for Belladrum, which takes place from July 27-29, are available now. To book, visit tartanheartfestival.co.uk

QUITE THE OFFERING: There will be 'something for everyone' at Belladrum 2023. Picture by Paul Campbell