Gatehouse of Fleet will ring out with the sounds of Africa this Saturday. Senegalese singer Samba Sene and his band Diwan will close out a night of great music at the town’s Midsummer Music Festival. Described as “exuberant, dynamic and colourful”, Samba Sene and Diwan will have the crowd in Gatehouse School dancing til the bitter end with their fusion of funky mbalax and Afrobeat grooves.
The Festival’s main concert also features two established local bands in Kasama and Tiderays, both drawing on indie styles to produce something uniquely their own. Kasama, from Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse, have a storming late 80’s/90’s guitar-driven sound with a modern twist. Their soaring melodies, catchy choruses, and foot stomping bangers are sure to get the crowd going. Dumfriesshire’s Tiderays are also making big waves on the Scottish scene. Singled out by Tom Robinson of 6Music
for their “great playing and songwriting”, as well as frontman Eddie Oakes’ impassioned vocal style, Tiderays always impress.
Opening the evening are Balter, a four-woman band, all of whom have graduated from the hugely respected Newcastle University Folk and Traditional Music degree. They have a high energy, driven sound which complements and stretches their traditional influences. The interplay between two fiddles, mandolin and accordion generates a distinctive sound which explores new textures; gelled together with intricate arrangements.
As ever, Midsummer Music has a whole host of events covering the weekend from Friday to Sunday, and venues throughout the town. Full details and tickets can be found at www.musicgatehouse.com, with tickets also available at Gatehouse Stores in advance of the event.
