A Perth music festival featuring some of the best loved names in Americana, bluegrass and country has triggered a gold rush for tickets.
This year’s Southern Fried Festival is selling out in record time, organisers said.
The final line-up for the July extravaganza has now been revealed with five-time Grammy winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, chart-topper Imelda May and Gretchen Peters among the headliners.
There will also be a rare performance by three giants of British music: Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather Low.
Festival director Andy Shearer said: “We were already very happy with our headline line-up and it seems like the audiences agree, given our record sales to date.
“But the strength and depth of the rest of the programme we’re announcing now probably makes it the best bill we’ve ever put together for the festival.”
He added: “I know from customer feedback that for many regular attenders, one of the great joys of Southern Fried is discovering new artists and this year will be no exception.”
The festival will play out at venues across the city, including specially erected outdoor stages.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, who has sold more than 8.5million records, will open the festival with a gig at Perth Concert Hall, supported by Scottish band Blue Rose Code.
As well as international stars, the festival will feature local talent including the New Madrids who will headline Southern Fried’s first show at the Green Room.
Perthshire band Longstay will be on the outdoor stage after graduating from the festival’s Southern Fried Rock Shop youth project.
A week-long music workshop which ties in with the festival is now booking, offering adults the chance to get onstage as part of the Southern Fried voices community choir. They will perform as part of the new Sunday Morning Coming Down concert.
Southern Fried was crowned the best small festival in the 2014 Scottish Events Awards and runs from Friday to Sunday, July 29-31.
As ever, there will be an open mic session on Sunday night and various fringe events and side attractions, including plentiful servings of Southern Fried soul food.
The show has been organised by Horsecross Arts and details can be found at www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk or by calling 01738 621031.
